More ‘sustainable’ funding needed to revitalize Indigenous languages, committee hears

OTTAWA — Witnesses testifying at a parliamentary committee say that if the federal government is serious about revitalizing Indigenous languages, it must provide better funding. 

Several speakers appeared today before representatives of the House of Commons Indigenous and northern affairs committee, which is studying the issue. 

Blaire Gould, executive director of a group that promotes the Mi’kmaw language in Nova Scotia, says that while its funding situation has improved, “it does leave languages behind.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made revitalizing Indigenous languages one of his priorities when it comes to advancing reconciliation.