Federal gov't promises millions to Nunavut, N.W.T. for Indigenous language services

The federal government has promised millions toNunavut and the Northwest Territoriesto support and preserve Indigenous language services until 2020.

In an announcement made in Yellowknife on Friday, the federal governmentpromised$19.6 million for the N.W.T., and $15.8 million for Nunavut. The funding comes from the 2016 federal budget, according to the office of the minister of Canadian Heritage.

"There is no relationship more important to our government than the one with Indigenous peoples," said Mlanie Joly, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, in a news release.

The money will go towardcommunity radio stations and schools for on-the-land programs in the N.W.T. A part of the funding will also go directly to Indigenous governments, which will decide how it should best be spent.

In Nunavut, the funding will act "to remedy the decline ofInuktitut" and help itsgovernmentmeet the requirements of the Official Languages Act andthe Inuit Language Protection Act, according to Minister of Languages George Kuksuk.

• Indigenous leaders encouraged by budget promises, but concerned about funding flow
• OPINION |JustinTrudeau'sproposed Indigenous languages act will need teeth to succeed

Languages in 'serious trouble'

"In the N.W.T., we have some languages that are in very serious trouble," saidthe N.W.T.'s Member of Parliament MichaelMcLeodat the announcement.

"Some languages will become nonexistent in a short period of even 10 years," he said, pointing to theGwich'inlanguage needingthe most support.

Jolycalled the support "unprecedented," adding that the federal government will continue efforts to support Indigenous languages across Canada.