Research

The Commission is mandated to undertake research related to Indigenous languages in Canada. Specifically, the Commission may research the provision of funding for Indigenous languages, the vitality of Indigenous languages, measures to restore and maintain fluency, and more.

Here, you can explore the variety of research projects that the Commission has undertaken or is currently working on.

All research initiatives by the Commission aim to assist you in your work, whether you are an educator, a language learner, an Elder, a program administrator, or a non-Indigenous person interested in learning more about Indigenous languages.

Currently, several research projects are underway in support of Indigenous languages across Canada. As resources become available, links to reports and searchable libraries will be added. Watch this space!

The Commission is partnering with the Canadian Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (CCUNESCO), First Peoples Cultural Council (FPCC), Canadian Museum of History, and Canadian Geographic (CanGeo) to develop an interactive map that honours Indigenous language speakers, the locations where Indigenous languages in Canada are spoken today, and how they have moved over time.

Coming soon:

  • A large floor map, featuring stories in Indigenous languages across the country to be showcased at schools and museums throughout Canada
  • A digital map, featuring the stories, including a look “behind the scenes” at the background and approach to the project
  • A digital map and interactive features will be hosted on CanGeo’s website with a link from the Commission’s website

Also planned:

  • A series of engagement sessions to collect stories
  • An Indigenous language mapping “recording” room at Waves 2025 where people will be able to view the digital map and floor map, as well as record their own stories for inclusion on the map

 

 

The Commission has been identifying Indigenous language resources across Canada for language learners, language teacher candidates, and educators. A searchable database (or library) has been developed so you can access the information you are looking for. Here is the list of Living Language Resources that are currently available:

  • Accredited Post-Secondary programs
  • Early Childhood and K-12 Language Programs
  • Community-Based Language Programs
  • Sources of Funding for Indigenous Languages

The aim of this project is to identify accurate and representative words of greeting in as many Indigenous languages as possible across Canada.

Available:

  • These words are to be displayed physically at the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages in Ottawa.
  • The words of greeting can be found scrolling on OCIL’s Home Page, welcoming everyone to this website.

Under Development:

Learn more about this project here.

A series of annotated bibliographies, which are lists of articles and publications with descriptive paragraphs, is being compiled that pertain to areas of interest supporting Indigenous languages and language revitalization.

  • An Annotated Bibliography is now available for you to explore the tangible Value of Indigenous Languages. This resource explores how the Value of Indigenous Languages are demonstrated through the following themes:
    • Language and Health
    • Language and Resource Management
    • Language and the Economy
    • Language and Education
    • Language and Society
    • Language and Healing
    • Language and Law-making

Access the Annotated Bibliography here.

A number of reports are being written on a variety of topics related to Indigenous Language Revitalization. These will be made available when ready:

  • Indigenous Language Clauses in Modern Treaties
  • Profiles of Vitality for individual “language communities.” Reports are available for the following language families:
    • Salish
    • Inuit
    • Algonquian
    • More to come for additional language families
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