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Mr. Speaker,

Following portion will be spoken in Dëne Sųłıné

[Dëne Dedlıne Ts’ı̨ɂáné Beyatı Za Neba Huzų Nıdé!]

February is Indigenous Languages Month, and this year’s theme, ‘Languages Work’, reminds us that Indigenous languages are not only a source of cultural strength. They are a part of daily life, community leadership, learning, and careers. Throughout February, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the NWT Literacy Council will be sharing stories of language champions across the territory who show how languages work in different jobs in the North.

Resume English

Mr. Speaker, Indigenous languages in the Northwest Territories are at a critical point.
The 2025 Community Survey shows declining numbers of speakers in every region.
This trend is real, and it is concerning. But it also strengthens our determination. Indigenous governments, Elders, community organizations, schools, and language workers are leading the way, and the GNWT is committed to walking alongside them. This is also work we are legally and morally obliged to do through the Official Languages Act and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act. It is also work we believe in.

Mr. Speaker, several initiatives are helping us move forward. The Indigenous Languages Revitalization Scholarship Continues to support Northerners pursuing post-secondary studies in their language. This year, we awarded to the full ten scholarships of up to
$5000 each, bringing the total to 91 recipients since 2018.

Interpreters and translators remain essential to language revitalization, helping normalize the use of Indigenous languages in public life.

Last May, we co-hosted an Interpreter and Translator Gathering with the Legislative Assembly to support training, development, and succession planning, especially for those who work during session. I want to thank every interpreter in this House for the time and expertise they contribute as we work together.

Mr. Speaker, in June 2025 we launched the Indigenous Languages Service Request Portal, a centralized translation management system now used across government. The portal helps departments coordinate translation requests more efficiently and maintain a shared database of terminology, which strengthens consistency, accuracy, and capacity for future work. In the eight months since launching, the portal has helped coordinate 80 translations.

Mr. Speaker, 2026 marks the seventh year of the Mentor-Apprentice Program.
Over 180 Apprentices have now completed their 200-hour immersion experience, and some have continued over multiple years. Six former apprentices have progressed into mentor roles. This growth speaks to increasing confidence, proficiency, and leadership within communities.

Schools also play a key role. In the 2025-2026 school year, 40 of 49 schools offered Indigenous language programming as a second language, four continued immersion programming, and three regions are taking part in the Indigenous Language Instructor Employment Plan pilot. This pilot creates trainee positions where emerging instructors learn alongside experienced language teachers.

Mr. Speaker, all NWT residents deserve access to GNWT programs and services in their Indigenous language. Beginning this spring, the government will begin introducing Indigenous Language Service Standards. Staff who deliver front-line services will be trained and equipped to support the public in their language by email, voicemail or in-person at service offices.

Finally, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is developing a new long-term Strategic Approach for Indigenous Languages, following the conclusion of the 2018-2025 Indigenous Languages Framework and Action Plan.

The new approach will align efforts across governments and organizations, reduce duplication, and strengthen collective impact in revitalization work. The government is taking steps towards this collaborative-developed approach with Indigenous governments and will also collaborate with language authorities, education partners, and community organizations.

Mr. Speaker, this work is practical, steady, and grounded in reconciliation. It also creates more opportunities to use, hear, and strengthen Indigenous languages in communities. Language is a source of strength, identity and continuity. By continuing this language revitalization work together, we help ensure that future generations grow up with the languages that belong to this land.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.