Nine Indigenous languages (Montagnais, Naskapi, Inuktitut, Cree, Algonquin, Atikamekw, Mohawk, Abenaki, and Micmac) are still spoken in what is commonly referred to as Québec (QC). Languages like Wendat, which had gone to sleep, are being reawakened. Adopted in 1977, Québec’s Charter of French Language establishes French as the official language for government, education, commerce and the workplace. English minority language rights are recognized along with the rights of Indigenous Peoples to speak their languages. The Education Act for Cree, Inuit, and Naskapi Native Persons (1988) gives the Cree School Board, the Kativik School Board, and Naskapi schools the right to develop courses and course content that preserve Cree, Inuttituut [Inuktitut], Naskapi language. At the same time, instruction must conform with the Charter of French Language.
Indigenous Nations have passed their own laws concerning their languages. For example, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawá:ke enacted the Kahnawá:ke Language Law (1999), calling for the revitalization and restoration of Kanien’kéha as a primary language in the community. The Quebec Cree passed their government’s first-ever law, the Cree Language Act of Eeyou Istche (2019), known as Bill 1. This act will support the health of Cree language spoken on the east side of James Bay.
The Do More Do Better: A Government Action Plan for the Social and Cultural Development of the First Nations and Inuit (2017-2022) affirms a commitment to Indigenous language education and revitalization. The Plan states that Indigenous languages comprise the collective heritage of Québec and must have concrete support (McIvor et al., 2022).
Yet, tension in Québec surrounding Indigenous Peoples’ language rights is high. Québec’s National Assembly amended the Charter of French Language via Bill 96 to require additional French language courses for students in English Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEPs). There is no exemption for Indigenous students. Indigenous Peoples view this as a violation of their rights established in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and the Indigenous Languages Act (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.