Indigenous Languages Month, celebrated in February each year highlights the nine official Indigenous languages of the Northwest Territories, honouring the culture and knowledge that each language has passed on through generations,

The theme for Indigenous Languages month 2021 is “Cook with Me” to celebrate the important role of food and cooking in cultural traditions, identity, and community.

This year’s event is celebrated in partnership with the NWT Literacy Council and encourages all residents to learn about our official Indigenous languages and speak them with pride.

Given the unique and significant impact of COVID-19 on the Northwest Territories economy and labour market, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) has created a streamlined labour market recovery program to support broad sectors of our economy in response to the pandemic.

This time-limited funding is available now to support immediate labour market recovery. The funding includes three categories of support:

The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (PWNHC) is proud to present a new contemporary art exhibit showcasing two artists. Covered Ground brings together art by Tracey Bryant and Rhonda Harder Epp to depict northern lichen and landscapes.  

Bryant is a painter and art teacher from Yellowknife, NT who works in acrylic and encaustic media (a technique using melted wax). Her work includes detailed depictions of lichen and patterns found in the rocks of the Canadian Shield.

Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) Minister R.J. Simpson spoke with education leaders to discuss the NWT response to Alberta Education’s recent decision to make diploma exams optional for the 2020-2021 school year. After close consideration of the needs of NWT students and communities, as well as the operational realities of NWT schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has decided to make diploma exams optional for NWT students.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Minister’s Culture and Heritage Awards. The awards recognize the efforts of members of the community who work to strengthen the arts, culture, heritage and languages of the Northwest Territories.  Recipients are chosen from nominations put forward by other northerners in five different categories.

Check against delivery

Education Leaders met via teleconference with Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) Minister R.J. Simpson and the NWT Teachers’ Association (NWTTA) on October 28, 2020 to discuss improving student outcomes in the territory.

Today the Department of Education, Culture and Employment announced the official launch of the Our Languages JK-12 Indigenous languages curriculum. 

Our Languages is a competency-based curriculum that provides Indigenous language instructors with curricular outcomes, instructional strategies, and assessment tools to foster language growth in classrooms. It promotes a whole-school approach to language learning to ensure that Indigenous languages are heard and spoken throughout schools, at assemblies, and during routines and in all Northwest Territories classrooms.

Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, today the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is celebrating the official launch of the Our Languages curriculum. This launch marks an important milestone for Indigenous languages in the Northwest Territories.

Today the Government of the Northwest Territories released the Aurora College Transformation Implementation Plan (Implementation Plan) and the initial areas of teaching and research specialization for the polytechnic university.  The Implementation Plan outlines the path towards the establishment of a polytechnic university that will support the aspirations of Northerners, diversify the economy, and contribute to the long-term prosperity of the Northwest Territories.