Indigenous language program in northwestern Ontario threatened by lack of government funding
CBC
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.
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.
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.
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