https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/28/ontario-indigenous-languages-legislature-canada
In Ontario, Canada, lawmakers can now address legislation using indigenous languages. Locals say this is a big step forward and recognition of the “first language” of the region. The government house leader, Paul Calandra, worked to amend the standing rule that previously required lawmakers to use French or English but now allows such languages to be used when addressing the speaker or chamber. Sol Mamakwa, a member of the New Democratic party, recalls that in his youth, he would be punished for speaking his native language in a professional setting. He talked to the legislature after these new laws were established and says he understands that these languages may be used now. Still, after generations of oppressive parliament and laws, language loss has become a significant threat.
Many indigenous people were punished for speaking their language instead of English, both in the United States and Canada, and presently, we should work toward establishing laws that will protect such languages instead of pushing them away. Other cruel punishments during this period were the forcible removal of children from their families, the implementation of residential schools, which were not livable conditions, and continued oppression and separation of indigenous groups. There are many indigenous languages in North America, and out of the 2 million Canadians who identify as indigenous, only about 260,000 still speak their native language, and about 58 unique languages across Canada are at risk of disappearing altogether.
Before implementing these laws, if lawmakers wanted to address coworkers in an indigenous language, they would have to call for translation assistance and interpretation. Ontario’s Ministry of Indigenous Affairs says that these rule changes allow us to embrace the native language of the land, the founding language of Canada. In Canada’s parliament, these same changes were made back in 2019. Legislators can talk to their coworkers in an indigenous language, although two days’ notice is required if translation services are needed. These changes are meant for the people who were not allowed to speak their native language in the past or have lost their language due to colonization and other oppressive governments.