National Indigenous Languages Day is Mar.31. It’s a day dedicated to honouring and celebrating the diversity of languages of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit People in Canada.

The Assembly of First Nations created this day in 1989 to serve as a reminder of the importance of Indigenous languages, which are vital not only to culture and identity but also to the preservation of the worldviews of diverse First Nations passed down through generations.
 
Language is intertwined with the land, history, and traditions of the people who speak them. They are more than communication; they are a keeper of knowledge and teachings. In Canada there are around 70 distinct Indigenous languages, falling into 12 separate language families.

“Language is the heartbeat of a culture, and in honoring and revitalizing Indigenous languages, we are not only respecting the past but ensuring that future generations have the tools to continue building meaningful, respectful relationships, which is the core of Treaty,” said Dr. Kathy Walker, Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan.

The right to language is outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: “Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literatures, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places and persons.”

However, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), all Indigenous languages spoken in Canada are considered at risk, being classified as either vulnerable, definitely endangered, severely endangered or critically endangered.

The state of our languages is the result of intergenerational impacts of cultural genocide and discriminatory colonial policies, most notably residential schools, which aimed to destroy Indigenous cultures and languages by forcibly removing Indigenous children from their families and assimilating them by punishing and shaming the use of Indigenous languages.

National Indigenous Languages Day provides an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the importance of language in the broader context of reconciliation. It is a day to recognize the ongoing efforts of Indigenous peoples to revitalize their languages and to reflect on how all Canadians can support these efforts, whether through advocacy, learning, or simply by listening and respecting the voices of Indigenous peoples.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner is committed to supporting language revitalization as part of its broader goal to strengthen the Treaty relations  and nurture understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

How Can You Get Involved?

Respect Language Rights: Support the recognition of Indigenous languages. Advocate for policies that protect and promote the use of Indigenous languages.

Support Indigenous Language Initiatives: Organizations, communities, and institutions are working tirelessly to revitalize Indigenous languages. Consider donating or volunteering.

Learn an Indigenous Language: There are many resources available to learn Indigenous languages, both online and in-person.