Nunavut (NU) language and education policy are highly supportive of Indigenous language immersion. In Nunavut, the Official Languages Act (2013) states that the Inuit language, Inuktut, along with English and French are official languages of the territory and gives support to “developing or revitalizing the Inuit Language and supporting its ongoing use as a language of education, work and daily life in Nunavut.”
The Inuit Language Protection Act (2008) is meant to reverse the negative effects that Canadian policies have had on Inuit language and culture by ensuring that the Inuit language is protected and promoted. The Act establishes an Inuit Language Authority (Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit) whose duties are to expand the knowledge and expertise available with respect to the language and its use (McIvor et al., 2022).
The Nunavut Education Act (2008) affirms that curriculum will promote proficiency in Inuktut and that every student is entitled to bilingual education in Inuktut and either English or French, as determined by a district education authority. Significantly, the act promotes proficiency in the Inuit language as opposed to general support for revitalization. In 2020, Bill-25 amended the Education Act to increase accountability throughout the education system. Among the amendments addressed was the need for the implementation of supports for Inuktut speaking teachers.
The Historic Resources Act (current to 2012) is an additional piece of legislation allowing for any historic site of prehistoric or historic significance to be identified in Inuktut using plaques, signs or other manners suitable to commemorating the significance of that place to the territories (McIvor et al., 2022).
In addition to the legislation above, several policies exist to promote Inuktut. The Culture and Heritage Grants and Contributions Policy allows transfers of grants and contributions to individuals, non-profit organizations and municipal corporations to undertake activities that foster the use, teaching, development, promotion or preservation of Inuktut. The Archives Policy ensures that knowledge of Nunavummiut that was acquired, archived, and preserved is made accessible to the general public. The Geographic Names Policy recognizes the importance of traditional Inuit names for geographic features and supports, through official recognition, preservation and use of those names (McIvor et al., 2022).
In accordance with the federal Indigenous Languages Act (2019), the federal government, the government of Nunavut, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated are working toward an agreement called Revitalizing and Strengthening Inuktut in Nunavut to support Inuktut. Subject to the details of the agreement, the federal and territorial governments have committed $42 million and $25 million, respectively, over a 5-year period (McIvor et al., 2022).
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.