Canada Settles Cultural and Linguistic ‘Genocide’ Suit
Canada has agreed to pay out C$2.8bn ($2.09bn) to settle a decade-long lawsuit seeking reparations for the loss of language and indigenous culture caused by the residential school system.
The class-action lawsuit first presented by...
Campaign Seeks to Silence Indigenous Voice in Australian Parliament
An Australian group has launched a campaign against a scheduled referendum to allow Indigenous Australians a voice in parliament, claiming it would not fully resolve issues that affect them. The landmark referendum due to...
CAN$39 Million to Support Indigenous Languages in the North
CAN$39.4 million is being invested to support the efforts of communities, organizations, and governments in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut to reclaim, revitalize, maintain, and strengthen their languages.
The announcement was made on behalf of...
Canadian Language Legislation Could Hinder Indigenous Workers
Proposed changes to Canada’s Official Languages Act are likely to create more “arbitrary barriers” for Indigenous people hoping to work in federal institutions and advance to higher levels, says the Assembly of First Nations....
Congress passes Native American Language Resource Center Act
On December 22, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Native American Language Resource Center Act. The bipartisan legislation, authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs,...
Mexicans Support Indigenous Language Education
With governments across the world adopting new policies to support Indigenous and regional minority languages (for instance, see...
Living Languages Grants Awarded to 45 Tribes and Tribal Organizations
The US Indian Affairs Office of Indian Economic Development has awarded $7 million in grants under the Living Languages Grant Program to 45 American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and Tribal organizations.
The Living...
Indigenous Taíno of Puerto Rico Take Their Fight to the UN
Puerto Rican Taíno representatives recently attended the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York to call attention to their situation.“If we’re not getting visibility or any kind of recognition at...
South Africa Moves to Mother Tongue Education
South African basic education minister Angie Motshekga announced last month that the country will now be moving toward teaching children in their mother tongue in all provinces, because, according to Motshekga, children are performing...
UN Forum Focuses on Language Rights
Last month, on the first day of the 21st United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York, Indigenous people from every continent (excluding Antarctica) spoke on the importance of preserving and...