Manitoba (MB)

There are seven Indigenous languages in the lands commonly known as Manitoba (MB). The provincial government approved legislation allowing bilingual English-French schools in 1979. The languages of education in Manitoba are English and French. Section 79 of the Public Schools Act of Manitoba (1988) states that instruction in languages other than English and French must be authorized by the school board and is limited to less than 50% of school hours. Through the Aboriginal Languages Recognition Act (2010), Manitoba recognizes Cree, Ojibway, Oji-Cree, Michif, Dene, Dakota and Inuktitut but does not make them official languages. On an FAQ page about bilingual education, Manitoba Education states that that “Aboriginal languages programming including immersion programming ‘may be used’ as languages of instruction” and states that “there are ongoing discussions, projects, strategies being implemented to promote, retain and revitalize Aboriginal languages.” Grant funding is available to support Indigenous language programming.

The Aboriginal Languages Recognition Act (2010) led to The Path to Reconciliation Act (2016), which in turn led to government partnerships with Indigenous Peoples to begin implementing the Calls to Action and the principles set out in the UN Declaration (McIvor et al., 2022). Additionally, the Manitoba Aboriginal Languages Strategy (MALS) was established “to revitalize, retain and promote the seven Aboriginal Languages of Manitoba.” A partnership between the Indigenous Inclusion Directorate, Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre (MFNERC), University College of the North, and the Indigenous Languages of Manitoba, MALS provides, “Aboriginal language education, teacher training, develop education programs and provide services in Aboriginal languages.” In 2022, Manitoba announced that it will provide $300,000 in funding for a partnership with the non-profit organization Indigenous Languages of Manitoba Inc. to create and operate two language revitalization programs over the next three years.


References

McIvor, O., Chew, K., & Hemlock, K. (2022). Legislation, regulation and policies concerning the revitalization of Indigenous languages in Canada and Internationally. Assembly of First Nations.

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