Good morning, everyone.

I am excited to be with you today and welcome you to this gathering of interpreters and translators.

While the meeting is taking place virtually, I am joining you from my hometown of Hay River which lies on the traditional lands of Kátł’odeeche First Nation, West Point First Nation and Northwest Territory Métis Nation.

I also want to acknowledge all the Indigenous nations of the NWT – the Inuvialuit, the Dene, the Métis, and the NWT Cree.

The primary reason for this gathering is to hear from you. To learn what your needs are, to be better able to do the work of supporting access to our Indigenous languages? What kind of training and professional development would be helpful? Both now and into the future?

We want to hear your thoughts for how best to recruit a new generation of interpreters and translators into this field. These roles are critical in ensuring our Indigenous language and culture revitalization efforts are successful.

We need your guidance and insight to make sure we’re supporting career opportunities for current and future language speakers.

Over the next two days, ECE staff will also update you on the work they’re already involved in that supports the revitalization of our Indigenous languages, including how to ensure interpreting and translating is both a viable and attractive career options for future generations of NWT language speakers.

The NWT Indigenous Languages Action Plan lays out two goals: language revitalization and language access. Interpreters and translators play a foundational role in the GNWT’s obligation to provide communications and services in Indigenous languages, and I recognize that we can’t do this work without you.

Thank you / Masi for taking the time to log on to Zoom and participate virtually in this gathering. I’m eager to hear the outcome of your conversations these next few days.