Overview
This page provides a collection of resources to inform and support the development of Indigenous languages legislation in Canada.
Resources
This page provides a collection of resources to inform and support the development of Indigenous languages legislation in Canada.
PROVINCIAL LEGISLATION
First Peoples’ Cultural Council, in partnership with the BC Assembly of First Nations, is working to develop provincial Indigenous languages legislation. Stay tuned for more information!
FEDERAL LEGISLATION
Bill C-91, an Act respecting Indigenous languages, became law on June 21, 2019. The legislation was co-developed by the Department of Canadian Heritage and the three national Indigenous organizations: the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and the Métis Nation of Canada (MNC). First Peoples’ Cultural Council actively supported the development of the Act through the facilitation of engagement with B.C. First Nations, advocacy with the two Ministers of Heritage and the department, participation on the AFN’s Technical Committee on Language and presentations to the parliamentary and senate committees reviewing the bill.
Read the full text of the Act here.
A Guide to An Act respecting Indigenous languages: A Tool for First Nations Language Revitalization.
This guide, prepared by the Assembly of First Nations, is intended to help you understand how federal Indigenous language legislation (Bill C-91) can support your efforts to reclaim, revitalize, preserve and strengthen First Nations languages.Bill C-91 Timeline
| December 6, 2016 | Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces Indigenous languages legislation |
| May – June 2017 | The First Peoples’ Cultural Council holds engagement sessions in B.C. |
| June – Oct 2017 | The Assembly of First Nations holds engagement sessions across Canada |
| 2017 – 2018 | The Department of Canadian Heritage holds engagement sessions across Canada |
| Fall 2018 | Memorandum to Cabinet and drafting of legislation |
| February 5, 2019 | House of Commons First Reading |
| February 20, 2019 | House of Commons Second Reading |
| May 9, 2019 | House of Commons Third Reading |
| May 9, 2019 | Senate First Reading |
| May 27, 2019 | Senate Second Reading |
| June 13, 2019 | Senate Third Reading |
| June 21, 2019 | Bill C-91 receives Royal Assent from the Governor General and becomes law |
Resources
FPCC Reports and Resources on Indigenous Languages Legislation
This section includes some resources that FPCC has developed in support of Indigenous Languages Legislation
Framing the Discussion: A Proposal for a National Strategy for the Implementation of Bill C-91
A proposal for a national strategy for Indigenous language revitalization in Canada to support the implementation of Bill C-91.
A Legislation Framework and How to Provide Input
FPCC has compiled information to help you get started on developing your own input into the legislation.
FPCC Regional Engagement Sessions – Information about the regional sessions held by FPCC in May and June 2017. A community report was compiled to gather the findings of these sessions, which you can find on this page.
Assembly of First Nations Engagement Sessions – Information about the engagement sessions on Indigenous language legislation held by the Assembly of First Nations in 2017.
Department of Canadian Heritage
In June and July of 2018, the Department of Canadian Heritage hosted engagement sessions on the proposed legislation in the B.C. communities of Vancouver, Kamloops, Nanaimo and Prince George. Access the Department of Canadian Heritage Discussion Guide on their webpage or download the PDF. For more information on the co-development process click here.
Community Position Papers
This section includes position papers from communities that have been shared with FPCC.
Important Documents About Indigenous Languages Legislation
This section provides links to important documents relevant to Indigenous language legislation. Documents include reports from Canada, international documents, and letters and resolutions.
Existing Legislation on Indigenous Languages This section provides information about existing legislation for Indigenous languages across Canada and internationally.