Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq People
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in their efforts to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen their languages.
Today, Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Relations, and Member of Parliament (Sydney-Victoria), announced an investment of $7.1 million over five years starting in 2023-2024 to Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey to support the revitalization of the Mi'kmaw language in Nova Scotia. He made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage.
This contribution is part of the new jointly developed funding models introduced in 2023-2024, aligned with the government's ongoing efforts to work collaboratively with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples to fully implement the Indigenous Languages Act. The new Indigenous language funding model was specifically designed to provide greater First Nations, Inuit and Métis control over funding decisions; establish long-term funding agreements; and better respond to the unique needs of their communities. This approach aligns with the Indigenous Languages Act, which recognizes that First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples are best positioned to lead the reclamation, revitalization, maintenance and strengthening of their languages.
This new approach directly allocates the funds to Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey, the First Nations Regionally Designated Organization in Nova Scotia. It will allow them to implement a language strategy that addresses their unique priorities and redistributes resources to the 13 Mi'kmaq communities.
These investments and funding model represent an important step forward in supporting Mi'kmaq people in Nova Scotia. Through the leadership of Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey, Mi'kmaq people will take charge of their own linguistic revitalization efforts, allowing them to honour and preserve their rich heritage.
