The Alberta government announced funding on Tuesday morning designed to provide greater access to Indigenous language to students.
A $665,000 grant to the Canadian Indigenous Language and Literacy Development Institute will go towards ensuring instructors can receive training to help teach Indigenous languages.
The government said it wants to build capacity to preserve, revitalize and strengthen language learning by increasing the number of Indigenous language teachers in Alberta.
“Studies show learning and having the ability to speak an Indigenous language increases academic success for students and strengthens the connection between Indigenous people and their culture,” Education Minister David Eggen said.
“As we work to protect and improve education for all Alberta students, this investment will help us revitalize and preserve Indigenous languages that are at risk.”
READ MORE: Justin Trudeau to introduce Indigenous Languages Act
David Eggen was joined at the University of Alberta during Tuesday’s announcement by Canadian Indigenous Languages and Literacy Development Institute co-founder Dr. Heather Blair.
The institute, which is located at the U of A, connects Indigenous language instructors to support their ability to teach their language in schools and communities across Alberta.
“I’ve witnessed first-hand the impact it can have when people begin to reconnect with their language. It’s pretty amazing,” Blair said.
“This funding will have an immediate effect on ensuring the revitalization and sustainability of Indigenous languages and increase access to community-based language instruction.”
READ MORE: Cree app launched to help preserve indigenous language
There are 60 Aboriginal languages in Canada: Cree, Inuktitut and Ojibway are the most common.
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