[LINK] "N.B. Grits propose First Nations language classes"

[rfmcdonald]

Notwithstanding the likely problems of finding instructors and creating a curriculum, it makes sense that this sort of initiative would come from New Brunswick, Canada's only official bilingual province and a jurisdiction already quite accustomed to multilingualism. Likewise, it makes sense that the Liberals would do this, since the Liberal Party instituted bilingualism in the first place back in the 1960s.

Leading up to the Sept. 27 provincial election, Liberal Leader Shawn Graham made the announcement on Tuesday at the Chief Harold Sappier Memorial Elementary School on the St. Mary's First Nation in Fredericton.

Graham said the goal is to develop a curriculum that will have First Nations language training as a part of the school system at every grade in the public system.

"The Mi'kmaq and Maliseet culture and language are an important part of what defines New Brunswick," Graham said in a statement.

"This will enable First Nations students to more easily retain their language and allow other non-aboriginal students to learn more about the tremendous cultural and historical richness that our Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations contribute to New Brunswick."

Graham said he saw many First Nations people in his community lose their language when he was growing up.

"We have a responsibility, any time one of our cultures, whether it is francophone, anglophone or First Nations, is in jeopardy of losing its language then we have a responsibility because the promotion and advancement of language is a key identity of one's self," Graham told reporters.