By Shari Narine
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Two years after the Indigenous Languages Act became law, Canadian Heritage has appointed the four-member commission that is tasked with reclaiming, revitalizing, maintaining and strengthening Indigenous languages.
On June 14, Ronald Ignace was named commissioner. He is joined by three directors, Robert Watt (Inuit), Georgina Liberty (Metis) and Joan Greyeyes (First Nations). They make up the members of the Office of the Commission for Indigenous Languages (OCIL).
“Some of our languages are hanging by a thread having lost all or nearly all their speakers,” said Ignace, noting there are more than 70 Indigenous languages across the country.