Nunatsiaq News: Nunavut language conference puts spotlight on Inuktut
Today, in Iqaluit, Nunavut’s education minister, David Joanasie, also the minister of languages, will open a three-day gathering on Inuktut: the Inuugatta Inuktuuqta conference.
Its key themes are focused on the Inuit language, including language leadership, learning, resources, planning, revitalization, attitudes and goals.
The conference is organized by Nunavut’s Department of Culture and Heritage, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the territorial language authority and the Office of the Languages Commissioner. It’s the second such gathering — the first one was held in Februrary 2015.
“We are now into the 10th year of passing and implementing our language legislation,” David Joanasie, Nunavut’s languages minister, said March 11 in the Nunavut legislature about the conference.
“A decade ago we made the decision to elevate the status of Inuktut in law, while being respectful and inclusive to all official language communities in our territory.
“As a Canadian jurisdiction, we have set an example that has yet to be reciprocated elsewhere, including at the national level.”
The Inuugatta Inuktuuqta conference also coincides with the International Year of Indigenous Languages, promoted by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.
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