Northern Indigenous Storytelling
“Indigenous peoples are the guardians of their stories. Support for Indigenous broadcasting in the North is an essential tool for empowering them to tell these stories, preserve their cultures and identities, and advance reconciliation,” read a statement from Marc Miller, minister of Canadian identity and culture and minister responsible for official languages.
Last month, the Canadian government announced funding totaling CAN$17.2 million (US$12.45 million) over two years for the production and broadcasting of Indigenous audio and video content. This support is being provided through the Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting component of the Indigenous Languages Program.
The funding includes CAN$872,262 over two years for the Native Communications Society of the Northwest Territories, which preserves, vitalizes, and promotes the languages, cultures, and heritage of the Dene peoples. Their focus is on traditional storytelling and culturally appropriate programming, including news, weather, and events/local gatherings. Through their radio station, CKLB 101.9 FM, they broadcast in multiple Dene languages six days a week.
The Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting component supports the production and distribution of Indigenous audio and video content. To be eligible for funding from this component, the organization or group must provide broadcast communications north of the Hamelin Line, which is drawn at the 55th parallel and defines the Canadian North for purposes of policy.
“Funding through the Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting program from the Department of Canadian Heritage is an important investment in strengthening Indigenous culture and communities across the North. Multiyear program funding provides the Native Communications Society of the Northwest Territories with the financial stability needed to sustain its operations and the security to continue broadcasting to more than 33 communities. This support plays a vital role in preserving and promoting the Indigenous cultures and languages of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of the Northwest Territories,” explained Rob Ouellette, CEO, Native Communications Society of the Northwest Territories.
Preservation of Tłı̨chǫ and Sahtu Dene
Five major Indigenous-led projects in the Northwest Territories will be receiving CAN$4.8 million (US$3.5 million) in support from the government of Canada. The funding focuses on intergenerational digital storytelling and adult immersion programs for the Tłı̨chǫ and Sahtu Dene communities. This is part of a broader CAN$1.4 billion (US$1 billion) decade-long commitment to the country’s Indigenous Languages Act.
According to Statistics Canada as of 2016, only 1,735 people spoke Tłı̨chǫ Yatıì, the language of the Tłı̨chǫ, a Dene First Nations people that lives in the Northwest Territories.
The funds will be invested in five new creative and diverse projects to increase access to Indigenous language activities and social gatherings, more early-childhood and adult immersion programs, and multimedia Indigenous language content, through the Indigenous Languages Program’s First Nations Call for Applications 2025–26.
“Supporting Indigenous languages is a vital part of advancing reconciliation. This funding puts resources directly in the hands of Indigenous governments and organizations to lead the work of revitalizing their languages on their own terms. When languages are strong, cultures are strong, and we build more vibrant communities across the Northwest Territories,” commented Rebecca Alty, Canada’s minister of Crown–Indigenous relations.
Kahnawà:ke Cultural Arts Center Groundbreaking
An investment of CAN$2.5 million (US$1.8 million) has been made in the construction of the Kahnawà:ke Cultural Arts Center. Provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, funds will be used to acquire specialized equipment that makes the performance and creation spaces ready to receive a multitude of artists.
This funding is intended to help the Mohawk Nation to continue its efforts to reclaim, protect, maintain, and revitalize its language.
“Language is a part of culture, defines identity, and plays a central role in the transmission of knowledge, values, and traditions. This is why we recognize the importance of supporting the significant efforts of Indigenous peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain, and strengthen their languages.”
This welcoming cultural space, which includes a performance hall and a museum, will enable several organizations to offer their activities there in the future. The Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center, which has been helping preserve and revitalize the Kanien’kéha language for almost 50 years, is one of the organizations that will enrich the programming at the center. The Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center also receives support from the Indigenous Languages Program, totaling approximately CAN$700,000 (US$500,000) over five years (2023–28), to support the teaching of Kanien’kéha.
