February 28, 2025
On February 26th, Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria announced an investment totalling $7.1 million over five years starting in 2023-2024 to Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey to support the revitalization of the Mi'kmaw language in Nova Scotia.
This contribution is part of the new jointly developed funding models introduced in 2023-2024, aligned with the Government's ongoing efforts to work collaboratively with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples to fully implement the Indigenous Languages Act. The new Indigenous language funding model was specifically designed to provide greater First Nations, Inuit, and Métis control over funding decisions, establish long-term funding agreements, and better respond to the unique needs of their communities. This approach aligns with the Indigenous Languages Act, which recognizes that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples are best positioned to lead the reclamation, revitalization, maintenance, and strengthening of their languages.
This new approach directly allocates the funds to Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey, the First Nations Regionally Designated Organization in Nova Scotia. This funding allows us to support community-based language programs that honor the unique needs of communities and organizations across the province. An investment such as this opens up new possibilities for communities to creatively address their language needs, allowing for innovative approaches that are tailored to local contexts. It allows us to implement a language strategy that addresses the unique priorities and redistributes resources to the 13 Mi'kmaq communities.
The program that will be funded through this investment is the Indigenous Languages Component—First Nations Languages Funding Model which supports a variety of Mi'kmaw language projects across Nova Scotia. These include adult immersion classes, immersion language nests for children aged 0 to 5, language camps, after-school language programs for children and youth aged 6 to 19, and the creation of language learning resources like books, games and activity plans. These initiatives help revitalize Mi’kmaw language by improving learner proficiency, increasing access to language opportunities, and enhancing public awareness and attitudes toward the Mi’kmaw language.