Indigenous language program in northwestern Ontario threatened by lack of government funding
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Sarah Nelson says she's been trying to reclaim Ojibway for years, which is why she's worried about the potential suspension of an Indigenous language revitalization program in Thunder Bay, Ont., that she's been part of since September.
The program is delivered by Matawa First Nations Management (MFNM), a tribal council that represents eight First Nations in Treaty 9 and one First Nation in Robinson-Superior.
Its language program has been offered in the northwestern Ontario city and several Matawa communities for two years.
"I think my favourite thing is that they use mindfulness as a tool, so meditation at the beginning and the end of the class," said Nelson, a member of Couchiching First Nation who lives in Thunder Bay.
"It really does, I think, have an impact on how you learn."
Earlier this month, MFNM announced a lack of funding from the provincial and federal governments means it may not be possible to keep the program going.
Language is identity. Languages support healing. Language is a way of life. - Sol Mamakwa, Kiiwetinoong MPP
Sharon Nate, Matawa's CEO, says it costs between $2 million and $3 million to operate the program each year.
While languages are a federal responsibility, most of the funding comes from federal and private agencies.
Under the federal Indigenous Languages Act, the government must "support the efforts of Indigenous Peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen their languages," MFNM says.
"The government of Canada must be held accountable for these obligations. We also urgently call on the province of Ontario to recognize its role in advancing reconciliation by stepping forward with tangible investments," Nate said in a news release.
While enough money is left to sustain the program until the end of the school year, Nate said she isn't sure whether it can resume next fall.
'That's your identity, that's who you are'
The program is called Matawa Waka Tere, which translates to "the meeting of the rivers on a fast-moving canoe." It was inspired by a Maori language revitalization project in New Zealand.
Many of Matawa's fluent language speakers will pass away in the next five to 10 years, the tribal council says, which is why revitalizing Ojibway, Oji-Cree and Cree is a priority for the organization.
Students have been able to take a Year 1 certificate program or Year 2 diploma program, which can then set them on the path toward being able to teach others.
There were 94 graduates of Matawa's Year 1 program last year and more than 60 students currently enrolled in the program.
It brought back a sense of identity and self-confidence in our peoples. - Sharon Nate, CEO, Matawa First Nations Management
"The work has been important and it has been significant to our Matawa communities. They've created this program," Nate said during a virtual news conference earlier this month.
"It brought back a sense of identity and self-confidence in our peoples."
The Indian residential school system, which did not allow Indigenous people to speak their traditional languages, has caused significant language loss among First Nations people.
"Colonialism has had a big impact on us, and I think language is the very most important part of all cultures, really," Nelson said. "It's the foundation."
MFNM is calling on Canadian governments to take responsibility for language loss among Indigenous people by supporting programs like Waka Tere.
"That's your identity, that's who you are, and to have that being stripped from you leaves you a sense of worthlessness — like, who are you?" Nate said.
Department of Canadian Heritage responds
CBC News reached out to Ontario's Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation department for comment on the province's support for Matawa's language program, but did not receive a response.
At the federal level, a spokesperson for the Department of Canadian Heritage provided an emailed response.
On its website, the government says it has spent more than $725 million to support the Indigenous Languages Act, which aims to help Indigenous communities and organizations "reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen their languages."
"In 2023-24, Canadian Heritage worked with Indigenous partners to provide greater Indigenous control over funding and long-term agreements, to be more responsive to the unique needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis, who are best positioned to reclaim, revitalize, maintain, and strengthen their languages," said Ines Akué, team leader for media relations at the department.
"In Ontario, the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education [Centres] is the designated organization responsible for administrating funding to support First Nations language projects and activities such as the Matawa Waka Tere program."
Akué did not specify how much money has gone to the Matawa Waka Tere program or if that funding would continue.
Calls for action at all levels
Last spring, Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa made history by becoming the first person to speak a language besides English or French in the Ontario Legislature: Anishininiimowin, known in English as Oji-Cree.
Mamakwa is a member of Kingfisher Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario and an Indian residential school survivor.
Ontario MPP speaks in an Indigenous language at Queen's Park for 1st time
11 months ago
Duration 3:21
New Democrat Sol Mamakwa spoke to the Ontario Legislature in Anishininiimowin on Tuesday, known in English as Oji-Cree. For the first time, the Ontario legislature allowed, interpreted and transcribed a language other than English and French. As CBC's Lorenda Reddekopp explains, it also led to a commitment from the government.
"It's a space that is very colonial and I never thought that I would be able to do that," Mamakwa said of using his language at Queen's Park.
The thought of Matawa's language program being suspended concerns him, and he wants to see the provincial and federal governments do more to support courses like it.
He also called on language speakers themselves to pass along their knowledge to the next generation.
"At the community level, we need to start teaching them when they're young, which starts [with] speaking at home, but also having these immersion programs.
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