‘Important’ and ‘symbolic’ to speak Indigenous language in same Chamber that repressed their use, says Battiste

'I think that inspires our kids, to be able to hear our languages spoken in the very same House that once tried to prevent that language from thriving and flourishing,' says Liberal Jaime Battiste.

Liberal MP Jaime Battiste, top left, has given multiple speeches in the House of Commons in Mi’kmaq, an initiative that was forwarded by former Grit MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette, bottom left. The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade and file photograph

News

BY NEIL MOSS

September 29, 2021

Speaking Indigenous languages in the same House of Commons Chamber that had historically tried to quash them can be a source of inspiration and can help revitalization efforts, says Liberal Jaime Battiste. Revitalization experts say having the languages spoken in Parliament can be effective and sho...

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