Making History: Raising Up Indigenous Languages in their Rightful Places
History was made at the Ontario Legislature in May 2024 when Sol Mamakwa, NDP Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and the only First Nations legislator in the province, addressed Queen’s Park in Anishininiimowin. The event marked the very first time an Indigenous language, and a language other than English and French, had been allowed to be spoken by officials in the Legislature.
As an opportunity to learn more about the historic milestone and the continued trailblazing efforts of MPP Mamakwa to promote Indigenous languages, the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages (the Commission) had the honour of meeting with him and his team at Queen’s Park in early December 2024.
Mamakwa shared with us that language is central to who he is as a person, which is why he understands the urgency of protecting Indigenous languages. He shared the following about speaking Anishininiimowin at Queen’s Park: “It meant a lot to be surrounded by family, leadership and fellow community members on May 28 to officially speak my language for the first time at Queen’s Park. Afterwards, a Chief who attended told me that he was emotional, not from what I was saying, but from the fact that I was speaking in Anishininiimowin in that place which is so colonial.”
In his previous role as the Director of Education in his community of Kingfisher Lake First Nation, Mamakwa worked towards implementing programs in support of Anishininiimowin. As a provincial legislator, his office is dedicated to being bilingual, offering translations of languages spoken in the Kiiwetinoong riding: Anishininiimowin, Cree and Anishinaabemowin. Mamakwa’s team, which includes the only Indigenous staff members at the Legislature, are also dedicated to learning their languages.
Mamakwa also shared that at the provincial level, important changes have taken place in recent years in support of Indigenous languages. This includes the development of a curriculum for teaching Indigenous languages and the mandated Indigenous curriculum for students in Grades 1 to 3, which started in the 2023-2024 school year. Commissioner Ignace was delighted to hear about the important strides made in support of Indigenous languages at the Queen’s Park, which previously only permitted the interpretation and transcription of English and French. Commissioner Ignace was also pleased to hear that after the historic addressing of Queen’s Park in Anishininiimowin by Mamakwa, an interpretation booth was established in the Legislature to provide official services in his language.
The visit to Queen’s Park provided an opportunity for the Commissioner to share his personal language journey as well as the mandate and key activities of the Commission. This includes the Fluency and Immersion Teacher Training initiative, which emerged in response to what we heard from Indigenous Peoples and communities at language gatherings hosted by the Commission. A core component of the initiative is the Commission convening partners at all levels, from educators to Ministers and Parliamentarians, to advocate for a whole-of-Canada approach in solving the issue of fluency and immersion teacher training. The project advocates for the training of teachers in ways that align with Indigenous worldviews and ways of knowing, which will ultimately support the creation of new speakers.
During the meeting, Commissioner Ignace cordially extended an invitation to MPP Mamakwa to participate in the Commission’s first Global Indigenous Languages Summit, WAVES 2025. The summit will celebrate the work of Indigenous Peoples and communities by bringing together language champions, Knowledge Keepers, youth, Elders, and researchers from around the world. WAVES 2025 aims to inspire new thinking, facilitate conversations and connections and drive ambitious solutions geared towards the revitalization and strengthening of Indigenous languages in Canada and worldwide. The summit will take place on unceded Algonquin territory (Ottawa) on August 11-14, 2025.
The Commission extends its gratitude to Mr. Mamakwa and his team for graciously hosting us at Queen’s Park. As a Commission, we are inspired by his leadership and will continue to amplify his efforts so that others leading language revitalization and promotion work are equally inspired. We look forward to working closely with MPP Mamakwa in support of Indigenous Peoples and communities in their tireless efforts to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen their languages.
