Official Languages plays a central role in promoting and coordinating the implementation, monitoring, management and evaluation of language obligations and policies government wide. The Branch oversees the administration of both territorial and federal language funds to assist departments and public agencies in delivering French and Inuit language programs and services. It also coordinates and provides translation services in Inuktut, French and English to departments and public agencies. As a result of the new language legislation, the Branch has further enhanced responsibilities to promote the vitality of the Inuit and French language communities in Nunavut, while developing and coordinating policies and programs intended to promote the development, revitalization, and use of Inuktut among youth, our communities and across all sectors of Nunavut society.
Objectives
• Promote the equality of Nunavut’s Official Languages.
• Coordinate the implementation, monitoring, management and evaluation of language obligations, policies, programs and services by departments and public agencies.
Department of Culture and Heritage
• Support the development, revitalization and use of Inuktut among youth, communities, and across all sectors of Nunavut society.
Programs Budget ($000) 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18
Official Languages Administration 1,389 292 292 292
Official Languages Administration provides overall direction and planning for the management and delivery of the Branch’s programs and services. Key responsibilities include the development of language regulations and policies, ongoing consultations with territorial institutions and others, maintenance of the Uqausivut Plan, and monitoring government-wide language implementation activities and results.
Translation Bureau 3,902 3,439 3,439 3,439
Translation Bureau coordinates and provides translation, editing and interpreting services in the Official Languages to departments and public agencies, in accordance with the Translation Policy and guidelines. The Bureau maintains a multilingual translation memory system, and collaborates with other organizations on language development and standardization.
Inuktut Affairs 0 1,287 1,287 1,287
Inuktut Affairs supports the management, implementation and monitoring of Inuit language obligations, programs and services by departments and public agencies. It also coordinates policies and programs intended to promote the revitalization and vitality of Inuktut in Nunavut, in accordance with the Inuit Language Protection Act and the Official Languages Act. It administers the Inuktut component of the Canada-Nunavut General Agreement on the Promotion of the Inuit and French Languages, including funds under the Inuit Language Implementation Fund and Community Inuit Language Initiatives Programs. It creates public awareness and appreciation about the status, history and diversity of Inuktut, including dialogue with Inuit representatives within and outside of the Territory.
Language Implementation Fund 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000
The Inuit Language Implementation Fund assists Departments and public agencies in building their capacity to deliver programs and services in Inuktut. The funds are centrally administered by the Department of Culture and Heritage to ensure effective management and accountability.
Community Inuit Language Initiatives 500 563 563 563
Community Inuit Language Initiatives provides grants and contributions that support community-based initiatives that support the development, preservation, use and promotion of Inuktut.
Francophone Affairs 0 290 290 290
Francophone Affairs supports the management, implementation and monitoring of French language obligations, programs and services by departments and public agencies. It administers the French language component of the Canada-Nunavut General Agreement on the Promotion of the Inuit and French Languages for that supports the delivery of government services in French and the promotion of the vitality of the French language community in Nunavut. Francophone
Department of Culture and Heritage
Affairs also promotes public awareness about French language obligations and liaises with Francophones in accordance with the provisions of the Official Languages Act.
Total, Official Languages 10,791 10,871 10,871 10,871
Priorities (2014-15)
• Review policies and programs to support initiatives aimed at revitalizing and promoting the use of Inuktut among youth and communities.
Status: The Grants and Contributions Policy has been reviewed to improve support for the
revitalization and promotion of Inuktut at the community level.
• Establish an annual song writing contest to promote new music in Inuktut.
Status: Completed. The Inuktut song writing contest has been established.
• Evaluate options to expand, improve and increase the participation of Nunavummiut during Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq, Nunavut’s annual celebration of Inuktut.
Status: The program was reviewed with input from stakeholders. Recommendations were
made to expand Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq to the whole month of February starting in 2016, with enhanced funding support for community-led language promotion initiatives. • Collaborate with the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit and other organizations to
strengthen the use of the standardized Inuktut writing system in government.
Status: The department collaborated with the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit, the
Languages Commissioner, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to host a conference in February 2015, to address the need for a common standardized writing system in Nunavut. • Establish baseline data on the capacity of the territorial public service to communicate and
provide services to the public in all the official languages.
Status: Baseline data has been established.
• Develop a strategy to improve the delivery of French language programs and services to the public.
Status: A draft strategy with identified implementation activities has been developed by the GN interdepartmental working group on French language services.
Priorities (2015-16)
• Continue to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the 2012-2016 Uqausivut Plan, and report on results achieved by GN departments and public agencies.
• Develop and provide tools and workshops to promote community self-reliance in planning and organizing language activities that best reflect local needs and goals.
• Establish an Uqausittinnik Saqqitiriniq Award to recognize the work of authors and publishers on their contributions to promote literature in Inuktut.
Department of Culture and Heritage
• In collaboration with partners, develop a strategy to promote and revitalize the enhanced use of Inuktut, particularly in the arts, culture, and media.
• Collaborate with the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit and other organizations to promote the use of standardized terminology and other standards in government communications and translations.
• Evaluate the need for French language training among territorial public servants, particularly front-line workers dealing with the public and other designated bilingual positions, and deliver a multi-level training program accordingly.
Priorities (2016-17)
• Update and implement the next Comprehensive Language Implementation Plan.
• Continue to administer the Uqausittinnik Saqqitiriniq Award and the annual song writing contest to promote literature and new music in Inuktut, and work with partners to enhance the programs.
• Continue to collaborate with the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit and other organizations to promote the use of standardized terminology and other standards in government communications and translations.
Priorities (2017-18)
• Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the new Comprehensive Language Implementation Plan, including a strategy to promote and revitalize the enhanced use of Inuktut, and report on results achieved.
Heritage
Heritage is responsible for the conservation, protection, promotion and enhancement of the cultural richness of Nunavut through the development and delivery of archaeology, toponymy, museums, archives policies, programs and services. Heritage also oversees library services, provides grants and contributions to assist community-based heritage initiatives, and supports the growth and development of Nunavut’s artistic community.
Objectives
• Promote community libraries as key centers of information and learning for Nunavummiut, including the Inuit language use and retention.
Programs Budget ($000) 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18
Heritage Administration 1,903 1,933 1,933 1,933
Heritage administration provides overall direction and planning for the management and delivery of culture and heritage initiatives in Nunavut. Key program responsibilities include the
Department of Culture and Heritage
development of policies and programs designed to preserve and promote Nunavut’s unique cultural heritage at the local, national, and international level.
Culture and Heritage Initiatives 2,208 2,208 2,208 2,208
Heritage provides grant and contribution funding that supports the Arts, Heritage, Community Radio Stations, Heritage Facilities, Toponymy, Community Libraries, Cultural Communications, Archaeology and Palaeontology Research Support and Heritage Centre Core Funding.
Archaeology Program 368 375 375 375
The Archaeology Program promotes the protection, conservation and appropriate investigation and interpretation of archaeological sites in Nunavut. It achieves these goals by administering archeological and palaeontological research in Nunavut, and by assisting various regulatory agencies controlling land use activities that threaten archaeological sites. Inter-institutional relationships are maintained with the archaeology and palaeontology research communities, government, commercial entities, Nunavut communities, and NLCA Designated Inuit Organizations such as the Inuit Heritage Trust.
Archives Program 202 208 208 208
The Archives program collects and preserves Nunavut’s documentary heritage. Program assets include textual records, sound and audio-visual materials, photographs, documentary art, and electronic documents. This work is done under the authority of the Archives Act, which mandates the acquisition of historic records from the private sector sources as well as records created by the Government of Nunavut and the previous Government of the Northwest Territories.
Toponymy Program 176 151 151 151
The Toponymy program works with communities, heritage centres, learning institutions and individuals to formalize and to preserve information about traditional and current names for geographic features. The program conducts research on geographic names, consults with Elders and with communities on place name issues. Names are preserved through the official approval process and stored in the Nunavut Geographical Names Database and the Geographic Names Board of Canada database.
NPLS Administration 1,260 1,133 1,133 1,133
Nunavut Public Library Services (NPLS) provides leadership and support to community libraries in the development and implementation of policies, programs and services aimed at strengthening the literacy, access to information and information technologies of Nunavummiut, and access to Inuit Language materials for information and entertainment. To fulfill this role, NPLS provides operational funding to 10 community libraries, and purchases library materials relevant to the north and Nunavut’s communities. The Service makes the acquisition and distribution of Inuit language materials a priority to foster literacy in the Inuit languages. The Division also works with Government departments and community organizations to facilitate the development of resources which reflect local and territorial priorities.
Total, Heritage 5,917 6,008 6,008 6,008
Department of Culture and Heritage
Priorities (2014-15)
• Complete the extension of the Shared Service Agreement with Canadian Museum of Nature for the storage of Nunavut’s paleontological specimens and assets.
Status: Completed. The Shared Services Agreement signed to March 31, 2017.
• Negotiate a renewal and extension of the Shared Service Agreement with Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (GNWT) for the storage of Nunavut’s collection of heritage assets which include Archives, Museum Objects and Inuit Art.
Status: Complete. The Shared Services Agreement signed to March 31, 2016.
• Complete MOU with Avataq Cultural Institute (Nunavik, PQ) assigning Avataq Designated Repository status for Nunavut archaeological artifacts extracted from the Nunavik Marine Region and in compliance with the Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement.
Status: Completed. The MOU was signed in accordance with NILCA.
• Canvas new storage space in Iqaluit for the department’s heritage materials not requiring climate control currently maintained at Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre (GNWT, Yellowknife).
Status: Ongoing. Space in Iqaluit to be identified and selected.
• Take the necessary steps to distribute Nunavut Geographic Names Gazetteer. This project has the added value of enhancing Inuktut language and vocabulary.
Status: Completed distribution to municipalities and Inuit organizations. • Develop and design a Toponymy in the Classroom project.
Status: This priority was not achieved. Priorities for the division have changed. • Conduct a review of the Nunavut Public Library Services (NLPS) operations.
Status: The review has been completed. Priorities (2015-16)
• Increase contributions to community radio stations to improve local radio broadcasting in Inuktut, and support the creation of new radio stations.
• Launch new NPLS eBook Service.
• Assume responsibility from Canada for the administration and management of Nunavut’s archaeology records by completing the transfer of records from Canadian Museum of History.
Priorities (2016-17)
• Complete Nunavut Genealogy Research Guide in concert with Elders and Youth Division and for general distribution.
Department of Culture and Heritage
• Install searchable database capacities for all archival holdings, including Government files and donated records
Priorities (2017-18)
• Install regular program for digitizing selected archives, especially photographs, audio and moving image records; digitizing for surrogate records as original formats are maintained in the Archives Program.
• Plan traveling exhibit program involving selected Archives, Museum Objects and Inuit Art to selected locations in Nunavut.