RESPONSE TO FEDERAL BUDGET 2024
18 Abril 2024 - 3:39PM
– Funding outlined in Tuesday’s federal budget destined to support
First Nations language revitalization in British Columbia falls far
short of what is needed to meet the government’s obligations under
the Indigenous Languages Act (C-91). Instead of growing and
expanding programming as the legislation proposed in 2019, this
funding level will yield less than the amount received last year,
says the head of the province’s First Nations-led Crown Corporation
whose mandate is to enable language revitalization in B.C.
B.C. has a globally recognized model for language revitalization
and its programming is now in jeopardy, including community-based
jobs for hundreds of women. B.C. has the greatest diversity of
First Nations languages in Canada, with half of all languages in
the country originating in this province. There are 36 unique
languages across B.C.’s 204 First Nations, and more than 95
dialects.
The federal government has allocated $225 million over five
years for Indigenous language programs across the country. Starting
in 2024-25, $45 million will be allocated per year. B.C. will
receive a portion of that amount based on a funding formula.
For the past five years, following the introduction of the
federal Indigenous Languages Act, Bill C-91, funding for languages
increased significantly, greatly expanding access to language
learning in B.C. Between 2018 and 2022, B.C. saw a 20 per cent
increase in the numbers of people who were learning their
language. Last year, FPCC received $40.3 million in federal funding
for 2023-2024. Based on the budget and funding formula, FPCC
estimates receiving about half that amount in 2024-2025.
FPCC appreciates that the funding is multi-year, but is
disappointed by a weak commitment that falls far short of what is
needed – not only in B.C. but across the country. FPCC’s
evidence-based research shows the actual need to fully implement
the work with communities to revitalize First Nations languages in
B.C. alone is $69 million for 2024-25 and increasing amounts
ongoing annually.
“We are grateful that the funding announced in Tuesday’s federal
budget is on-going but are nevertheless deeply concerned for the
future of First Nations languages in B.C. as underfunding persists
despite legislative commitments. The amount announced only
partially covers what is needed to continue many of the valued
programs that are underway and fails to establish adequate support
to fully realize languages being spoken fluently, and used in all
aspects of daily life,” said Tracey Herbert, CEO of the First
Peoples’ Cultural Council. “We have been advocating for adequate,
long-term, sustainable funding so language revitalization can
continue uninterrupted, but again find we find that the positive
momentum and growth in recent years is threatened as many programs
won’t continue at this level of funding.” First
Nations communities are gravely concerned not only for the
sustainability of their existing programs but the ability to fully
envision the language revitalization plans they have built with
FPCC’s support in recent years.
The First Peoples’ Cultural Council, First Nations communities
and First Nations leadership organizations will continue to
advocate for long-term sustainable funding to demonstrate the
national commitment to reconciliation and the commitment of
“adequate, sustainable and long-term funding” as described in Bill
C-91, the Indigenous Languages Act. The organizations will consider
all options to achieve this goal.
“Generations of oppressive and assimilationist federal and
provincial policies have aimed to wipe out First Nations languages.
Through dedication and hard work, our people have fought for
language rights to keep our languages alive. But many of our
languages have few speakers left and most fluent speakers are
elderly. Our languages hold our culture, history and ways of
being,” said Carla Lewis, Chair of the First Peoples’ Cultural
Council. “We can't over emphasize the urgency of the situation
and we can't wait another five years to get the funding needed to
breathe life into our languages that were stolen from us. We need
long-term, sustainable funding now. We need sufficient funding for
each and every language across Canada. We are beyond frustrated at
being expected to do this urgent work with insufficient resources.
This is not reconciliation.”
Providing a comparison to the $225 million committed over five
years for all the country’s Indigenous languages - the original
languages of this land - is the $4.1 billion allocated by the
Federal Government on-going and in prior budgets for official
languages support.
About the First Peoples’ Cultural Council FPCC
is a First Nations–governed Crown corporation with a mandate to
support the revitalization of First Nations languages, arts,
cultures and heritage in British Columbia. The organization
provides funding, resources and skills development, monitors the
status of First Nations languages, develops policy recommendations
for First Nations leadership and government and collaborates with
organizations on numerous special projects that raise the profile
of arts, languages, cultures and heritage in B.C., Canada and
internationally.
Media contact: Emmy McMillanSenior Communications
OfficeThe First Peoples’ Cultural Councilmedia@fpcc.ca
Emmy McMillan
The First Peoples' Cultural Council
2508834077
media@fpcc.ca