Nunavut language acts in the works

Inuit languages would become more prominent in daily Nunavut life, from phone bills to bylaw tickets, under draft legislation the territorial government tabled Wednesday.

Louis Tapardjuk, the minister of culture, language, elders and youth, said he hopes to introduce a new official languages act and the Inuit language protection act this spring.

Under the official languages act, English, French and the Inuit languages of Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun would be the territory's official languages. The Inuit language protection act would give Inuit languages more priority in the workplace, schools and public life.

"It's essentially important for [the] Nunavut government, as well as Nunavummiut, to have that language protection for the Inuit majority to get that pride and dignity in their culture and heritage, as well as pride and control of their own government," Tapardjuk said.

Under thecurrent Official Languages Act, which existed when Nunavut was still part of the Northwest Territories, Chipewyan, Cree, Dogrib, English, French, Gwich'in, Inuktitut and Slavey are official languages.

The proposed laws, if passed, would have Inuit languages come into force gradually over the next decade. Eventually, people would see more language use on everything from phone bills to bylaw tickets and when contacting emergency services.

More enforcement powers

Tapardjuk said priority on Inuit language use would also apply to the federal government.

"We've asked the federal government to respect our desire in Nunavut for them to provide essential services in Inuktitut," he said.

Nunavut Tunngavik president Paul Kaludjak said he hopes the proposed legislation will hold both levels of governments accountable to the language provisions of the territorial land claim.

"Those kinds of things are supposed to kick in, which to date have not," he said.

The proposed legislation would also give the territory's languages commissioner more investigative and enforcement powers. An Inuit languages authority would be established that would develop and document Inuit language terminology and proficiency standards.

Over the next few weeks, the territorial government will hold regional discussions on the proposed laws in the communities of South Baffin, North Baffin, Kivalliq, Natillingmiut and Kitikmeot. The draft laws might be modified, based on the consultations, before they are formally introduced for debate.