News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

February 10, 2022

Province Providing Funding to Increase Number of Indigenous Languages Translators

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Strengthening Indigenous Cultures and Languages in Manitoba: Lagimodiere

The Manitoba government is partnering with Indigenous Languages of Manitoba Inc. and providing $300,000 for the delivery of programs to build Indigenous language proficiency, literacy and translation capacity, Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere announced today.

“Indigenous languages are vital to the survival of the culture and identity of Indigenous peoples,” said Lagimodiere. “The demand for Indigenous language services continues to grow throughout the province, but the existing capacity to provide those services is limited. This partnership with Indigenous Languages of Manitoba will increase the number of proficient speakers and qualified translators in the province, strengthening the languages and ensuring timely access to critical information in Indigenous languages.”

The one-time grant will support the creation and operation of two programs over the next three years. One program will focus on language programming and apprenticeships to increase the number of proficient Indigenous language speakers. The second program will focus on translator training to advance literacy and written skills with the aim of supporting an increase in the overall number of Indigenous language translators.

“Our people have a right to their language and to be connected to their cultures, and just as the calls to make language a priority have remained loud and strong, we are finally moving to build sustainable immersion environments that focus on the development of language speakers,” said Melanie Kennedy, executive director, Indigenous Languages of Manitoba Inc. “This funding will give us the opportunity to balance the scales to build long-term capacity and to genuinely make an impact when it comes to the survival of our languages while paving a path of acceptance and opportunity for our children and future generations.”

Funding is being provided this year to enable multi-year program stability and encourage participants to continue building their language skills over three years. Anticipated outcomes for the proposed language programming include 20 intermediate speakers and 10 translators in Dakota, 15 advanced speakers and five translators in Michif, and 10 master speakers and 20 translators in Ininímowin (Cree) and Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe).

Indigenous Languages of Manitoba Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the strength and survival of Indigenous languages.

The organization is unique in that it is the only place where translation services may be obtained for all seven Indigenous languages recognized under Manitoba’s Aboriginal Languages Recognition Act:

  • Ininímowin,
  • Dakota,
  • Dene,
  • Inuktitut,
  • Michif,
  • Anishinaabemowin, and
  • Anishininimowin (Ojibwe-Cree).

The organization’s services are used extensively by a number of organizations including several government departments.

The minister noted the project aligns with the Manitoba Aboriginal Languages Strategy, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, the Calls for Justice from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry, and Manitoba’s balanced scorecard objective to advance reconciliation.

For more information on Indigenous Languages of Manitoba Inc., visit: https://ilmb.org/.

 

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED

 

 




BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Translated Quote From Indigenous Languages Of Manitoba Inc. - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/BG-Indigenous_Translation-IRNR.pdf