À propos de nous
« Il faut faire sortir les langues autochtones de l’ombre et les mettre en lumière. »
- Ronald E. Ignace, commissaireLe Bureau du commissaire aux langues autochtones se fait le promoteur et le défenseur des langues autochtones et soutient les efforts des peuples autochtones à travers le Canada à se réapproprier leurs langues et à les revitaliser, les maintenir et les renforcer.
Notre vision
Protéger et garder bien vivantes toutes les langues autochtones du Canada.
Nos principes directeurs
- Il est urgent de déployer des efforts concertés et d’investir dans la revitalisation des langues autochtones afin de freiner leur érosion. Les recherches montrent qu’aucune langue autochtone au Canada n’est à l’abri et que toutes sont à divers degrés en danger.
- Les langues autochtones sont fondamentales pour les peuples autochtones sur le plan identitaire et en rapport avec leurs cultures, leurs liens avec la terre, leur spiritualité, leurs visions du monde et leur autodétermination.
- Les langues autochtones ont contribué et continuent de contribuer à la force du Canada dans son ensemble, y compris à la diversité et à la richesse des patrimoines linguistiques et culturels du Canada. Le Bureau s’engage à protéger la vitalité de toutes les langues autochtones, y compris les langues des signes et les langues endormies.
"First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples have a great heart. However, our spirit has been battered and bruised because the cradle of our spirit is in our languages. It is imperative we breathe life back into our languages."
Ronald E. Ignace, Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages
Leadership: The Commissioner and Directors
Ronald E. Ignace
Commissioner
First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples have a great heart. However, our spirit has been battered and bruised because the cradle of our spirit is in our languages. It is imperative we breathe life back into our languages.
Le7 pyin te sitt te swumcwilcstem re qweqweltns re xwexwyt te qelmcw wel me7 yews. Ta7 me7 sc7tsems re snecwentm re qweqweltn-kt re stelwt.s neswet.s k smenmenecws ne7lye ne tmicw-kt. Tikwemts me7 sucwentwcwmentem re qweqweltn-kt.
Robert Watt
Director
All languages on this Earth are uniquely precious! Let’s mindfully embrace this diversity.
ᐅᖃᐅᓯᓕᒫᑦ ᐊᓐᓂᓇᕐᐳᑦ ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᓕᒫᒥ! ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐃᑉᐱᒋᑦᓯᐊᒪᕆᒋᐊᓕᕗᑦ
Uqausilimaat anninarput nunarjualimaami. Tamanna ippigitsiamarigialivut.
Georgina Liberty
Director
It is my honour to be the representative to preserve, revitalize and strengthen our Michif Language. I am also honoured to serve with my fellow First Nations and Inuit partners.
Si te moon oneur shi piikishkwetamaakeyaan chi kenawehihtamihk, pimatishitamihk pi shoohkihitaak notr Laang Michif. Meena si te aen oneur chi pamihihweyaan avek mii naasaayii Indigene.
Joan Greyeyes
Director
I am looking forward to keeping our First People’s languages alive.
Nickīstēn kita pimācīhtāhk īyiniw pīkiskwēwina.
The first Commissioner of Indigenous Languages and Directors took office on July 12, 2021. The Commissioner of Indigenous Languages and up to three Directors are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister of Heritage. Prior to recommending the appointments, the Minister must consult with a variety of Indigenous governments and other governing bodies and a variety of Indigenous organizations. The Minister is further required to seek comments to ensure that the Directors have the ability to represent the interests of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.
Notre parcours
Là où tout a commencé : Les origines de la Commission
1996
Final Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) reinforces that Indigenous cultures and languages are distinct from those of other Canadians and emphasizes the critical importance of their preservation.
1998
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Resolution 35-1998 declares a state of emergency for Indigenous languages.
The Inuit Circumpolar Council, of which Canada is a member, affirms the importance of their languages to Inuit Peoples and “. . . to take attention to the Inuit language status and initiate long term strategies for the usage of Inuit language in its representation in their areas.”
2000
The Métis Nation General Assembly adopts the Métis Nation Michif Declaration, recognizing and declaring Michif as “the historical and official language of the Métis Nation.”
2003
The Government of Canada establishes the Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures.
2005
Final Report of the Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures is released with a strategy to revitalize Indigenous languages and cultures and a recommendation to protect languages under legislation.
2007
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
2010
The work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada begins
2015
Release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report with specific Calls to Action for Indigenous languages and the appointment of an “Aboriginal Languages Commissioner.”
2016
The Prime Minister announces Canada will enact co-developed legislation with the goal of ensuring the preservation, protection, and revitalization of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis languages.
2019
The Indigenous Languages Act is passed in Parliament, recognizing and affirming Indigenous language rights as constitutionally-protected.
The United Nations proclaims 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages.
2021
Appointment of the First Commissioner of Indigenous Languages and three Directors, each representing First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.
The Government of Canada adopts the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act which, among other things, affirms the rights of Indigenous Peoples to their languages.
The Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages begins to develop and build its policy and operational infrastructure, according to its mandate.
2022
The United Nations launches the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, 2022-2032.
The Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee finalizes the Inuit Nunangat Policy in support of Inuit self-determination, which recognizes Inuktut as the first language in Inuit Nunangat and affirms the partnership between the Inuit and Canada to invest in revitalizing, reclaiming, strengthening, and maintaining Inuktut.
2023
Grand opening of the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages in Ottawa with satellite offices in Kamloops, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg.
Our Logo
The Commission’s logo celebrates Indigenous language diversity.
Interconnected shapes at the centre represent the three Indigenous groups in Canada: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.
The colourful motif calls to mind a field of flowers representing the beauty of all Indigenous languages. Also, it brings forth images of ribbons, woven strands, and stitched fabrics found in Indigenous crafts and clothing. The expanding, energetic lines create a sense of movement, showing how languages are a living gift shared and celebrated in every direction across Turtle Island, Inuit Nunangat, and the Homelands of the Métis.
The 12 shapes around the logo symbolize the spoken language groups. Along with verbal and written Indigenous languages we also want to acknowledge other means of communication such as Indigenous sign language, Inuktitut braille, storytelling, and song.
Special gratitude is extended to Design de Plume Inc. for designing our logo.
Calls to Action for Indigenous Languages
13. We call upon the federal government to acknowledge that Aboriginal rights include Aboriginal language rights
14. We call upon the federal government to enact an Aboriginal Languages Act that incorporates the following principles:
- Aboriginal languages are a fundamental and valued element of Canadian culture and society, and there is an urgency to preserve them.
- Aboriginal language rights are reinforced by the Treaties
- The federal government has a responsibility to provide sufficient funds for Aboriginal language revitalization and preservation
- Funding for Aboriginal language initiatives must reflect the diversity of Aboriginal languages
15. We call upon the federal government to appoint, in consultation with Aboriginal groups, an Aboriginal Languages Commissioner. The commissioner should help promote Aboriginal languages and report on the adequacy of federal funding for Aboriginal-languages initiatives.
For more key legislation, policies, and documents pertaining to Indigenous languages, click here.
Source: Truth and Reconcilliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
