First Nations Languages | British Columbia Assembly of First Nations

The BCAFN is involved in national level languages work through the AFN Chiefs Committee on Languages (CCOL) and its technical committee. Regionally, BCAFN is committed to supporting the implementation of languages related commitments within the Declaration Act Action Plan.

The federal Indigenous Languages Act received royal assent on June 21, 2019. The intent of this Act is to support the reclamation, maintenance, revitalization, and strengthening of Indigenous languages in Canada.
The Assembly of First Nations has prepared a guide to help First Nations people understand how the Indigenous Languages Act can support efforts regarding our languages.
A Guide to An Act respecting Indigenous languages: A Tool for First Nations Language Revitalization 2019-2020
The Assembly of First Nations worked with the Department of Canadian Heritage to co-develop this legislation, along with the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and the Métis Nation of Canada (MNC). The First Peoples’ Cultural Council provided valuable support through the facilitation of engagement with BC First Nations, advocacy with the two Ministers of Heritage and the department, participation on the AFN’s Technical Committee on Language and presentations to the parliamentary and senate committees reviewing the bill.
Visit the FPCC website for in depth information regarding the bill, engagement with First Nations, and language revitalization legislation analysis and reports.
BCAFN Resolution 03/2019 Support for Bill C-91: An Act Respecting Indigenous Languages
The BC Assembly of First Nations has been mandated to pursue provincial languages legislation to support the reclamation, maintenance, revitalization, and strengthening of Indigenous languages in British Columbia. The BCAFN Chiefs-in-Assembly have directed the Regional Chief and BCAFN staff to advance work with the Province of British Columbia to co-develop provincial Indigenous languages legislation, in partnership with the First Nations Summit, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the First Peoples Cultural Council, and the First Nations Education Steering Committee.
BCAFN Resolution 11/2019 Support for Co-Developing Provincial Indigenous Languages Legislation
The BCAFN, in partnership with the First Nations Summit, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the First Peoples Cultural Council, and language champions, have drafted a preliminary draft Discussion Paper on BC Indigenous Languages Legislation outlining Four Pillars for a Legislative Framework:
British Columbia Indigenous Languages Legislation Draft Discussion Paper
For more information or to provide feedback please contact Sarah Froese, BCAFN Policy Analyst
The BCAFN will be working with partners to call on the Government of BC to partner on, and fund, the co-development and implementation of legislation to support the revitalization and protection of Indigenous languages in BC, including participation in the implementation of a BC Languages Legislation Working Group.
The First Peoples' Cultural Council (FPCC) provides leadership for the revitalization of Indigenous languages, culture and arts in British Columbia. It monitors the status of BC First Nations languages, cultures, and arts, and facilitates and develops strategies that help First Nations communities recover and sustain their heritage. The First Peoples Cultural Council is supported by the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Act.
For more information on FPCC’s work, including funding opportunities, programs, toolkits, and advocacy visit

AFN Chiefs Committee on Languages

In July 2023 at the AFN AGA, First-Nations-in-Assembly voted to not pass draft resolution 26 Equitable Funding for Languages Revitalization, which sought ratification for a new regional funding allocation formula for the Department of Canadian Heritage Indigenous Languages Component funding. BC Chiefs expressed concern that the proposed formula would significantly negatively impact the amount of funding for the BC region (as well as several other regions), and that more work was need to arrive at a consensus-based, data-driven formula.
The CCOL and TCOL are continuing to work to advance discussions on this topic and discuss advocacy strategies regarding increases for languages revitalization funding.

The International Decade for Indigenous Languages

The International Decade for Indigenous Languages began in 2022, launching in December. The AFN developed a First Nations Action Plan for the International Decade that sets out a vision; objectives; actions associated with enhancing awareness, increasing engagement, and building community strategies; roles and responsibilities; measurement and indicators; and phases of work.

Federal Advocacy

In October 2022 the AFN made a submission to Parliamentary Committee on Official Languages regarding amending the Official Languages Act. However, the recommendations were not accepted by the Committee. The Senate Standing Committee on Official Languages affirmed the importance of recognizing First Nation, Métis and Inuit languages as the first languages of the land, and noted the barriers that currently exist for Indigenous languages revitalization.

In early 2023 the Band Reparations Class Action settlement agreement related to loss of
language and culture at residential schools was reached and approved by the federal court.

The Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN) conducted an Indigenous Languages Study to analyze the success of the government compared to the objectives set out in the Indigenous Languages Act. The AFN made a submission highlighting recommendations regarding funding levels, First Nations control over allocation of funds, and the need for a whole-of-government approach. The Committee presented its report to the House of Commons on June 16, 2023 and has requested a government response.

Language Revitalization in BC

In February 2023 FPCC released the fourth report on the status of B.C. First Nations languages. The report demonstrates a more than 20% increase in learners as well as growth in semi-speakers and language learning opportunities.

Resources and Funding

In June 2023 the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages launched their website.

The Department of Canadian Heritage (DCH) is accepting applications for time-limited funding under Sections 8 and 9 of the Indigenous Languages Act. The AFN worked with DCH to develop the application process, while at the same time advocating for enhanced commitments and longer-term funding.

This past year the AFN also released several useful reports:

AFN Language Policy Report Research, a comparative report about:
o federal, provincial and territorial legislation, regulations and policies that concern the revitalization of First Nations languages and other Indigenous languages in Canada, and
o legislation, regulations and policies that relevant international jurisdictions have put in place for revitalizing Indigenous languages in those places.
AFN Revitalization First Nations Languages, A Costing Analysis.