The GNWT is encouraging northern residents to take part in Indigenous Languages Month throughout February.
Across Canada, the NWT is the only region that recognizes up to eleven different official languages, nine of which belong to Indigenous communities. Throughout the month of February, the GNWT will be attempting to tip the scales against the continued loss of Indigenous languages by encouraging Northerners to speak these languages as often as they are able.
Some of the ways they suggest include using Indigenous languages around the home, throughout our communities, at school, and at work.
Caitlin Cleveland, the Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment for the GNWT, spoke on the importance of keeping these languages alive.
“Our shared vision of the Northwest Territories is one where Indigenous languages are spoken in all communities. The Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes the importance of supporting this vision to the best of our abilities, which is why we provide resources and opportunities to help both Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents learn the languages. It is everyone’s responsibility to keep Indigenous languages alive, so let’s speak them together this month.”
The nine official Indigenous languages in the NWT are Dene Kǝdǝ́, Dene Zhatıé, Dëne Sųłıné, Dinjii Zhu’ Ginjik, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, nēhiyawēwin and Tłı̨chǫ.
The GNWT has provided an online resource that residents can use to learn more about each of these languages.
