2.4.1

Description: 
We will strengthen culture and heritage in the NWT by implementing a renewed Aboriginal Language and Culture-based Education Directive in order to strengthen the role of schools in supporting Aboriginal language development and incorporate culture in programming, work with the Government of Canada towards a strengthened multi-year Canada-Northwest Territories Co-operation Agreement for French and Aboriginal Languages, develop an action plan for the Culture and Heritage Strategic Framework, and work with stakeholders to update the 2010 NWT Aboriginal Languages Plan: A Shared Responsibility.
Lead Dept: 
ECE
Priority: 
2.4
Status: 
Fulfilled
Restructured COC: 
Social Envelope
Number: 
1
Deputy Minister Committee: 
Social Envelope
Background Information: 

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Commitment 2.4.1 – We will strengthen culture and heritage in the NWT by implementing a renewed Aboriginal Language and Culture-based Education Directive in order to strengthen the role of schools in supporting Aboriginal language development and incorporate culture in programming, work with the Government of Canada towards a strengthened multi-year Canada-Northwest Territories Co-operation Agreement for French and Aboriginal Languages, develop an action plan for the Culture and Heritage Strategic Framework, and work with stakeholders to update the 2010 NWT Aboriginal Languages Plan: A Shared Responsibility.

The GNWT-wide Culture and Heritage Strategic Framework was tabled in October 2015. This Framework aligns existing GNWT strategies and initiatives to common culture and heritage goals and serves as a guide for future decisions.

A 1-year interim Culture and Heritage Strategic Framework Action Plan was tabled on March 10, 2017 (milestone 1). This 1-year (2017-2018) Action Plan lays the necessary groundwork for all GNWT departments to work together to create a broader, 4-year Action Plan (2018-2022) (milestone 4). This plan will include actions from all GNWT departments and is expected to be released at the end of the 2017/18 fiscal year.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) released the revised NWT Aboriginal Languages Framework in May 2017 (milestone 3), which is a ten-year plan (2010 to 2020) that sets out a clear direction for the NWT to revitalize the 9 official Aboriginal languages and improve access to government services in Aboriginal languages.

Development of a three-year rolling Action Plan (2017/18 to 2019/20) that will be reviewed and updated annually is underway, and involves significant input from key language partners and education leaders. It will accompany the NWT Aboriginal Languages Framework, and is expected to be released at the end of the 2017/18 fiscal year (milestone 5).

The Aboriginal Language and Culture Based Education Directive (ALCBE) is currently being renewed to support Indigenous languages and education, including guidelines, training, funding and accountability.

By the end of the current 2017-2018 school year ECE is expected to complete the revised Directive, along with a draft package of Directive Guidelines (Handbook), and a new funding model and accountability structure.

A new 4 year Official Languages Agreement between the Government of Canada and the GNWT was signed on March 24, 2017 effective from 2016/17 to 2019/20, with an increase in funding for the promotion, preservation and strengthening of Aboriginal languages in the NWT (milestone 2).

The GNWT provides a portion of language funding to Aboriginal Governments, as they make decisions about where to focus their Aboriginal languages revitalization and promotion. The results of the new Agreement have meant an increase to the direct funding Aboriginal Governments receive to provide them with decision-making authority to revitalize and strengthen Aboriginal languages. Aboriginal Governments prepare regional language plans and make decisions about how funding is accessed.

$17 million is invested annually to support and promote Aboriginal Languages revitalization, including:

  • Native Communications Society for radio broadcasting;
  • Inuvialuit Communications Society for TV and Magazine production;
  • Grant program for community radio stations;
  • Support for Teaching and Learning Centres through education bodies;
  • Support for 2 statutory language boards;
  • Support for Traditional Geological Place names;
  • Support for NWT wide Language programs by proposal; including the NWT Literacy Council, Dene Language Conference, Yamozha Kue Society and the NWT Foster Family Coalition;
  • Professional Development for Language teachers through NWTTA professional development activities;
  • Aboriginal Language and Culture Instructor Program through Aurora College; and
  • Dechinta on-the-land programming.

ECE continues its commitment to support culture and heritage through the various activities of the Culture and Heritage Division, including the operations of and programming at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. Through the division, ECE provides $2 million in yearly funding for arts and culture initiatives; protection and management of heritage resources including archives and archaeological sites; the geographic names program; and designs and hosts a range of culture and heritage interpretation programs for schools and the public.

Related Mandate Commitments:

Commitment 2.2.1 - We will implement the Education Renewal and Innovation Framework by:

  • Implementing a renewed Aboriginal Language and Culture-based Education Directive in order to strengthen the role of schools in supporting Aboriginal language development and culture in programming.

Commitment 2.4.5 - We will work collaboratively with the NWT’s francophone community to support French language education.