Columnist raises interesting questions, deserves answers

Page 5

Dear Editor:

RE: reply to Ms. Verna Kirkness commentary titled, "What happened to the $20 million for Languages"

Ms. Kirkness' commentary in your April 1999 issue titled raises questions and concerns about First Nations languages in Canada and how the funds from Canadian Heritage were administered by the Assembly of the First Nations for First Nations community-based projects. I will attempt to clarify some of Ms. Kirkness' questions and comment on her solution. I am presently employed by the AFN in the Languages Secretariat and I am familiar with some of the activities behind this initiative.

Initially nine Aboriginal organizations met with Canadian Heritage to review the framework outlining the objective, principles and parameters for the funding program for the revitalization of Aboriginal languages. The Aboriginal organizations were given four options on how to administer the funds. After careful study, option two was chosen with some modifications, "to divide the money among the three constitutionally recognized Aboriginal groups - Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, Metis National Council and Assembly of First Nations." Each group has its own agreement with Canadian Heritage.

While Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced $20 million for Aboriginal languages, her department took $500,000 off the top for its administrative fees and to do a national evaluation at the end of the initiative, leaving $19.5 million for languages. The calculations are somewhat altered from Ms. Kirkness' article. The funding percentage for each Aboriginal organization is calculated out of $19.5 million and $20 million. The total allocated to First Nations languages is actually $14,625,000. Under the transfer agreement the payable amount to AFN for each year is: 1998 to1999, $2,205,000; 1999 to 2000, $4,440,000; 2000 to 2001, $4,290,000; and for 2001 to 2002, $3,690,000.

Five percent of the total amount goes to AFN to administer this initiative with the intention of more dollars going to community-based projects. The normal charge for administrative costs is 15 per cent. AFN receives quarterly payments which are then distributed to the regions after contracts are signed with each delivery body throughout Canada, including the territories. Each region develops criteria for project proposals so that decisions are made at the regional level. Thirty percent of 95 per cent is intended for those First Nations languages on the verge of becoming extinct. The First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres is responsible for this portion of the funds.

It is true that "$20 million" over four years for 53 First Nations languages does not go far especially when all First Nations people consider their language to be valuable and essential to their culture.

What is the best solution? Ms. Kirkness suggests "keepers of the language", language families should decide the future of their languages but she does not elaborate on how this can be done. Her suggestion could only create more problems, for example, one language family is spread from the Maritime provinces to northern British Columbia and into southern Northwest Territories, thus another "cumbersome" organization. In my opinion, this would be both costly and ill-timed, a luxury First Nations languages cannot afford, especially those on the verge of extinction.

Last March, a letter writing campaign was launched by the Languages Secretariat of the AFN to create awareness of First Nations language issues. The package included six items: a letter to First Nations people to give their support and to demand parliamentary official and legal recognition of all First Nations languages; a pamphlet and video, The Voice of the Land is in Our Languages, which includes a teacher's guide; interviews of Elders and useful hints for community activities focusing on First Nation language issues; a letter addressed to all First Nations Youth regarding the revitalization of our languages; a sample lettr to guide the letter writing campaign addressed from Aboriginal people and concerned citizens to Minister Jane Stewart; and finally, a form resolution on First Nations languages to be signed by chief and council and sent to Jane Stewart. The sample resolution can be used by other organizations as well. The packages were mailed to all First Nations band offices, friendship centres and cultural education centres with the intention of passing on the information and encouraging community support and involvement.

ekosi pitama, "that's it for now"

Barbara McLeod

Languages Secretariat

Assembly of First Nations