Language Revitalization Legislation

After years of advocacy by First Nations, the Government of Canada now has a legislated commitment to respecting Indigenous languages. The purpose of the ILA is to enable the exercise of Indigenous language rights by creating legal assurance for adequate, sustainable, and long-term funding and support for Indigenous-led initiatives to reclaim, revitalize, maintain, and strengthen Indigenous languages.

On June 21, 2019, the ILA received Royal Assent. Based on direction from First Nations, the AFN is advocating for legislation to establish long-term, sustainable, consistent, appropriate approaches to support First Nations in their efforts to recover, reclaim, maintain and normalize First Nations languages.

The AFN Languages and Culture supports Chiefs, Technicians and First Nations in advocating for First Nations language and culture rights. The AFN, along with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Métis National Council, and the Department of Canadian Heritage, work towards the full implementation of the Indigenous Languages Act at the Joint Implementation Steering Committee. The Act received Royal Assent on June 21, 2019. The purpose of the Act is to support the reclamation, revitalization, maintaining and strengthening of Indigenous languages in Canada. Key objectives that derive from the Act include, ensuring that First Nations have adequate, sustainable, and long-term funding and support for First Nations led initiatives.