Preserving the language (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Preserving the language

Jul 06 2007
http://www.pgfreepress.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=26&cat=23&id=1020696&more=0

The B.C. government is dedicating an additional $400,000 towards the
preservation of the province’s more than 30 aboriginal languages.

The latest fund is in addition to a $1 million expenditure announced by the
province last year, said B.C.. Aboriginal Relations Minister Mike de Jong,
who helped paddle a canoe into Victoria’s downtown harbour to make the
announcement Thursday.

A total of $1.2 million was committed to increase the program, aimed at
keeping traditional languages from disappearing from everyday use. It will
fund language and culture camps, master-apprentice programs for elders and
younger people, pre-school language and cultural immersion programs and
community language and culture authorities.

The largest partner in the latest funding is the New Relationship Trust,
with a $500,000 contribution. It’s the first major investment for the
trust, established last year with a $100 million endowment from the
provincial government and an appointed board of directors with majority
aboriginal membership.