The Government of Canada Supports Inuktitut Language Preservation (fwd)

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Sep 05, 2008 10:01 ET
The Government of Canada Supports Inuktitut Language Preservation

IQALUIT, NUNAVUT--(Marketwire - Sept. 5, 2008) - Young Inuit people will have
the opportunity to learn about their language and culture and gain traditional
knowledge, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-Status Indians, on behalf of the
Honourable Josee Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women and
Minister for La Francophonie, today announced funding for the Qikiqtani Inuit
Association.

Funding of $216,050 over two years will help the Qikiqtani Inuit Association
fund Pigiarvik, a project that will help preserve, protect, and promote the
Inuktitut language among the younger generations of Inuit. This project will
have three components: Katiqsuiniq Qaujimajaujutuqarnik-traditional knowledge
interviews, to ensure that regional variations of Inuktitut and traditional
knowledge and stories are preserved for future generations; Katiqsuiniq
Innarnik Apiqsuutivinirnik-the digitization of traditional knowledge; and Pivut
and Kaakuluk-Inuktitut magazines for Children and Youth as resources for the
classroom.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to provide this funding as part of its
support for Aboriginal languages," said Minister Verner. "This important work
will help ensure that Inuktitut is passed on to future generations."

"We are pleased to be a part of the Pigiarvik project," said Minister Strahl.
"This project helps preserve and strengthen Inuit language and culture for
young people in Nunavut. It will allow people to engage in their community and
become active participants in shaping their future."

"Here in Nunavut, we are striving to fully integrate the Inuit language into the
school curriculum, libraries, and the workplace," said Thomasie Alikatuktuk,
President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. "This process is still in its
infancy, and much work is required. This funding from Canadian Heritage will
help kick-start the process."

To ensure optimum success, the Qikitani Inuit Association will work closely with
organizations within the community, such as the Nunavut Bilingual Education
Society, Nunavut Teacher Education Program, Nunavut Arctic College, Niutaq
Cultural Institute, and Qikiqtani schools.

This funding is being provided through the Aboriginal Languages Initiative,
which forms part of the Department of Canadian Heritage's Aboriginal Peoples'
Program. This program supports the full participation of Aboriginal people in
Canadian society and the promotion, revitalization, and preservation of
Aboriginal languages and cultures. It also helps enable Aboriginal people to
address the social, cultural, economic, and political issues affecting their
lives.

The Aboriginal Languages Initiative provides $5 million per year to support the
preservation and promotion of Aboriginal languages by facilitating the use of
these languages in community and family settings.

This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca
under Media Room.

For more information, please contact
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women and
Minister for La Francophonie
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
819-997-7788

or

Canadian Heritage
Media Relations
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155