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Following portion spoken in Wiilideh Yati

Mr. Speaker, Edàaht’e, Caıtlın Cleveland sı̀yeh. Semǫ Carole wı̀yeh.
Setà Randy wı̀yeh. Sǫǫ̀mbak’è naàhdè eyıts’ǫ jǫ gots’ǫ aht’e. 

[Mr. Speaker, hello, my name is Caitlin Cleveland. My mother is Carole and my father is Randy. I am from and live in Yellowknife.]

As the Minister Responsible for Official Languages, I am proud that all our official languages are celebrated every year, and I would like to begin by wishing my colleagues a Dı̀ı saà Dǫne Sǫłı̨ Saà hǫt’e! [Happy Indigenous Languages Month!]

February is a time to celebrate our territory's diverse Indigenous languages and acknowledge the significance of language revitalization as these languages form the foundation of our territory’s identity, pride, and community. This year’s Indigenous Languages Month campaign is called Say it in Our Languages.

Residents can keep an eye out for campaign materials on Government of the Northwest Territories websites and social media channels, at community events, online learning resources, contests, and even on coffee sleeves at coffee shops.

Mr. Speaker, this campaign matters because the loss of Indigenous languages is an ongoing challenge in our territory and around the world. Throughout Canada’s relatively short history, colonial policies aimed at assimilating Indigenous peoples have had a devastating impact on Indigenous languages. To reverse the loss of language and keep Indigenous languages alive and thriving, they must be spoken in our communities.

Using Indigenous languages every day, whether at home, school or out in public, is critically important to their survival. We do not have to be fluent in the language to make a difference. Practicing Indigenous languages and incorporating them into daily life is a step we can all take to reverse further language loss, which is fundamental to healing our territory.

Mr. Speaker, last year we awarded a record-high 18 scholarships to students enrolled in post-secondary programs supporting Indigenous language revitalization. Additionally, our Mentor-Apprentice Program a nine-month immersive learning program where a fluent Indigenous speaker teaches a language learner. The program had 45 pairs in six different language groups. This is an increase of 12 pairs compared to the previous year. Last week I had the pleasure to virtually meet with many of our Mentor-Apprentice Program pairs at their final gathering. I was inspired by their personal commitment to revitalize their languages and appreciated their advocacy for more action to support language learning.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to preserving, developing, and enhancing all official Indigenous languages as supported by Article 13 of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. As the only political region in Canada that recognizes 11 official languages, the NWT has much to celebrate during Indigenous Languages Month.

In celebration, we have organized for Tea and Bannock in the Great Hall during this afternoon’s break for all Members, interpreters, translators, and staff of the Legislative Assembly. I hope you can all make it and I encourage my colleagues to join me in practicing to speak our Indigenous languages together.

Mahsı̀ [thank you], Mr. Speaker.