Bill S-212: Language Revitalization and Preservation

The preservation of Indigenous languages is fundamental to protecting Indigenous culture. As far back in 1986 COO resolved to “reverse the degradation” of Indigenous languages because “the preservation of aboriginal languages is synonymous with the preservation of First Nations’ culture and the security of First Nations governments.” (Resolution 86/23) This commitment was once again reiterated in the 2017 AOCC with resolution 40/17 (First Nations’ Ownership and Control of First Nation Languages).

More recently as a result of advocacy done by COO, the PTOs, and others, the federal and provincial governments have initiated First Nations language preservation strategies.

Bill S-212 and Language Policies

In December of 2016 the Prime Minister announced that the Government of Canada will jointly develop legislation (Bill S-212) for the revitalization and recovery of Indigenous languages. This Bill is currently at second reading in the Senate. The goal of the act is to advance the Indigenous languages of Canada, and recognize Indigenous Peoples right to use, preserve, revitalize and promote their languages. The department of Canadian Heritage confirmed that the federal government intends to table the draft legislation in the spring of 2018.

There is also funding available for Indigenous language revitalization at the Federal level through the Aboriginal Language Initiative. The purpose of this program is to preserve and revitalize Indigenous languages through community-based projects and activities.

Jordan's Principle

Summary: Jordan's Principle was developed in response to the death of Jordan River Anderson. He died in 2005 at five years old. In his short life, he was eligible for home-care, but the federal and provincial governments could not agree on who was financially responsible, meaning he spent his entire life in hospital.

Jordan's Principle is a child-first approach with the intention of providing First Nations children, both on and off-reserve, the same access to government health and social services that are available to all other non-Indigenous children. It requires that the first level of government that a First Nation citizen contacts is responsible to provide that service.

The goal is to prevent First Nations children from being denied essential public services and to prevent delays in receiving them. By utilizing a child-first approach, jurisdictional disputes involving the care of First Nations children should not affect their access to treatment. The AFN has summarized the key points to Jordan's Principle in the following terms:

Because responsibility for First Nations children’s services is often shared among federal, provincial/ territorial and First Nations governments, accessing certain services can be challenging. Funding disputes between federal and provincial governments, or between federal departments, are not uncommon, and can result in delays that unfairly affect children’s health and well-being. Jordan’s Principle requires the government of first contact to provide the service, and then resolve the funding issue. As such, Jordan’s Principle is a mechanism to help ensure children’s human, constitutional, and treaty rights" (source)