To: Premier Sandy Silver, Tracy-Anne McPhee - Minster of Education, Government of Yukon
Indigenous Languages Need You in Yukon
Indigenous Languages Need You
Pass legislation, written in partnership with Indigenous peoples, that legislates Indigenous peoples’ languages be:
• taught as a primary language of instruction through bilingual and eventually immersion schooling
• in ALL those schools in the Province with large numbers of Indigenous peoples enrolled
• and that these same courses be offered, as a gift to the public from the Indigenous peoples, in all other public schools as a positive effort to
promote a more meaningful concept of reconciliation.
• taught as a primary language of instruction through bilingual and eventually immersion schooling
• in ALL those schools in the Province with large numbers of Indigenous peoples enrolled
• and that these same courses be offered, as a gift to the public from the Indigenous peoples, in all other public schools as a positive effort to
promote a more meaningful concept of reconciliation.
Why is this important?
Indigenous languages are making a comeback but Canada still doesn’t have legal protections for Indigenous languages.
Previous governments took very little action on Indigenous languages, but enough people join this campaign we can get legislation passed that is a true example of building a better relationship.
The UNDRIP, TRC Calls to Action, and true reconciliation demands Canadians get active in defending Indigenous languages. Indigenous languages are making a comeback, but our rights are still being denied and just like Residential Schools, present-day schooling doesn’t protect Indigenous languages.
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TRC Calls to Actions:
14. We call upon the federal government to enact an Aboriginal Languages Act that incorporates the following principles:
i. Aboriginal languages are a fundamental and valued element of Canadian culture and society, and there is an urgency to preserve them.
ii. Aboriginal language rights are reinforced by the Treaties.
iii. The federal government has a responsibility to provide sufficient funds for Aboriginal-language revitalization and preservation.
iv. The preservation, revitalization, and strengthening of Aboriginal languages and cultures are best managed by Aboriginal people and communities.
v. Funding for Aboriginal language initiatives must reflect the diversity of Aboriginal languages.
16. We call upon post-secondary institutions to create university and college degree and diploma programs in Aboriginal languages.
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UNDRIP:
Article 13
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literature, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places, and persons.
Previous governments took very little action on Indigenous languages, but enough people join this campaign we can get legislation passed that is a true example of building a better relationship.
The UNDRIP, TRC Calls to Action, and true reconciliation demands Canadians get active in defending Indigenous languages. Indigenous languages are making a comeback, but our rights are still being denied and just like Residential Schools, present-day schooling doesn’t protect Indigenous languages.
*********************
TRC Calls to Actions:
14. We call upon the federal government to enact an Aboriginal Languages Act that incorporates the following principles:
i. Aboriginal languages are a fundamental and valued element of Canadian culture and society, and there is an urgency to preserve them.
ii. Aboriginal language rights are reinforced by the Treaties.
iii. The federal government has a responsibility to provide sufficient funds for Aboriginal-language revitalization and preservation.
iv. The preservation, revitalization, and strengthening of Aboriginal languages and cultures are best managed by Aboriginal people and communities.
v. Funding for Aboriginal language initiatives must reflect the diversity of Aboriginal languages.
16. We call upon post-secondary institutions to create university and college degree and diploma programs in Aboriginal languages.
*********************
UNDRIP:
Article 13
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literature, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places, and persons.
