March 2, 2011 - During Aboriginal Languages Month, residents across the Northwest Territories are encouraged to celebrate our Aboriginal languages and culture by spending time with elders and participating in community events.

“Languages are about identity – who we are and how we understand and interact with each other,” says Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), Jackson Lafferty. “Promoting Aboriginal languages encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, and family and cultural values.”

In 1993, the Assembly of First Nations declared the month of March as “Aboriginal Languages Month.” Since then, March is a time when Northwest Territories’ residents celebrate and reflect on the importance of language and culture in their lives.

In addition to celebrating Aboriginal Languages in March, ECE is developing a full implementation plan for the Aboriginal Languages Strategy. The Strategy, “Northwest Territories Aboriginal Languages Plan – A Shared Responsibility,” outlines a strategy to strengthen people’s understanding of Aboriginal languages, encourages people to use their languages and establishes practical approaches to deliver government services in Aboriginal languages. The implementation plan will outline timeframes and give more detail to the actions and outcomes proposed in the Strategy.

For more information, contact:

Amy Doerksen
Manager, Public Affairs
Education, Culture and Employment
Telephone: (867) 920-6222
Email: amy_doerksen@gov.nt.ca