Aboriginal languages in spotlight (fwd link)

Wed Apr 1 19:24:30 UTC 2009

Aboriginal languages in spotlight

Wednesday, 1 April 2009 - 1:56pm.
By Peggy Revell, Staff writer

First Nations’ languages were celebrated and promoted locally yesterday in
conjunction with National Aboriginal Languages Day.

“It is very important because the language is our identity,” stressed Brian
Smith, the Anishinaabe language co-ordinator for the Seven Generations Educatio
n Institute here.

The Assembly of First Nations declared March 31 as National Aboriginal Language
Day back in 1989. Since then, the day has been used to promote the use of
indigenous languages throughout communities.

The AFN’s declaration stated that aboriginal language is a birthright, an asset,
and “essential to culture.”

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