Second Aboriginal Language Conference by the First Nations Education Council (fwd)

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Second Aboriginal Language Conference by the First Nations Education
Council - Conference theme "Words for Our Future"
http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/October2004/18/c1432.html

WENDAKE, Oct. 18 /CNW Telbec/ - The First Nations Education Council
(FNEC), an organization whose strength is drawn from the desire of all
First Nations in Quebec to work together to offer every First Nations
child a quality education, will hold its Second Conference on
Aboriginal Languages from October 24 to 26, 2004, at the Manoir du Mont
Saint-Sauveur.

There are about 6000 languages spoken in the world, half of which may
become extinct. Only 3 of Canada's 50 Aboriginal languages (Cree,
Inuktitut and Ojibway) have a big enough basin of speakers to not be
considered at risk.  At least 12 languages are in danger of
disappearing and 10 have completely died out over the last century.

"Given that a language is vital for the cultural survival of Aboriginal
peoples, concerted efforts have already been made worldwide to breathe
new
life into languages at risk, primarily by focusing on language
preservation activities, recording the speech of elders and
implementing special community-based programs. There is an urgent need
for developing concrete measures andtaking action so that our people do
not simply become a footnote of history," said Ghislain Picard,
Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador
(AFNQL) and speaker for the event.

In addition to allowing conference participants to gain a better
understanding of the situation Aboriginal languages face nationally and
internationally, several language preservation projects will be
showcased. The conference will be a forum for participants to discuss
the means for saving and reviving Aboriginal languages.

"The FNEC hopes to end the conference with a list of recommendations and
a blueprint for an action plan to ensure we will be able to transmit our
languages to future generations," said Lise Bastien, FNEC Director.

    For more information or the complete conference program, go to
    www.cepn-fnec.com