Government Supports First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council
BRENTWOOD BAY, British Columbia, October 9, 2007 – On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament (Saanich-Gulf Islands), today announced funding for the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council.
An investment of $697,410 will support community-based First Nations language projects in British Columbia during 2009-2010, including language workshops and classes, teacher training, language documentation, immersion camps, Elder storytelling, documentary filming and development, curriculum development, and the development of language learning material.”Canada’s New Government is pleased to support the preservation and promotion of First Nations languages,” said Minister Verner. “The strength of these languages is vital for our First Nations communities and is an important part of Canadian heritage.”
“We are proud to support the Council’s work to maintain and strengthen First Nations languages for future generations,” said Minister Lunn. “The understanding and sharing of First Nations languages, heritage and cultures heighten our appreciation of this country’s great cultural diversity.”
“We are in a race against time, as daily we are losing Elders who are the source of our language and culture knowledge,” said Tyrone McNeil, Chair of the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council. “Our need for funding like this is urgent if we are to successfully document our languages and create fluent speakers.”
The First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council provides program coordination and funding for the preservation and enhancement of Aboriginal languages and cultures in British Columbia. It monitors the status of Aboriginal languages, cultures, and arts in the province and facilitates and develops strategies to help these communities recover and sustain their heritage.
Canada’s New Government has provided this funding through the Aboriginal Languages Initiative, which forms part of the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Aboriginal Peoples’ Program. This program supports the full participation and cultural revitalization of Aboriginal people in Canadian society, and enables them to address the social, cultural, economic and political issues affecting their lives.
The Aboriginal Languages Initiative provides $5 million per year to support the preservation and promotion of Aboriginal languages by facilitating the use of these languages in community and family settings.
Information:
Richard Walker
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages
819 994-5978
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
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