Parliament should welcome Indigenous languages
Reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and other Canadians will be a long journey, one that consists of many steps, both large and small. One modest but powerfully symbolic step that should be taken this year is making it possible for Indigenous members of Parliament to speak their own languages in the House of Commons, and be sure that other MPs will understand.
Romeo Saganash, a New Democrat who represents a northern Quebec riding, has been pushing for this since he was elected in 2011. Saganash addressed the Commons Procedure and Affairs Committee recently in his native Cree, and urged the House to make it possible for him and others to speak Indigenous languages and have them translated into English and French.
A Commons committee is finally studying the issue, and it should open the way for First Nations MPs to address Parliament in their languages and have them properly translated. Saganash calls it a “constitutional and human right.”
Beyond that, it would be an important recognition of the historical role of Indigenous peoples in Canada and a gesture of respect for their culture and heritage. It would allow First Nations MPs to speak out in their own voices and be fully understood.
The objections to taking such a step are mostly practical. More than 60 Indigenous languages are spoken in Canada, so a host of questions arise.
Which languages should be used? Are there enough translators? And, of course, how much would all this cost?
These are real issues. But if the political will is there, they can be overcome.
For one thing, there won’t be a demand to use all Indigenous languages right away. There are now just 10 Indigenous MPs (out of 338) and they could be asked to indicate in advance which languages they might want to speak.
MPs might also be required to give some notice - say, 48 hours - of their intention to address the House in an Indigenous language. That would provide time to arrange for translation services.
And the cost? Parliament now spends $5.9 million a year for simultaneous translation in English and French, something we take for granted. Adding Indigenous languages would cost less than the $5.6 million Parliament happily spent to operate a skating rink on the Hill for a few weeks this past winter.
Facilitating the use of more languages should not be daunting. The Senate successfully ran a pilot project in 2009 to translate Inuktitut and Commons committees have used it during hearings in the north. Other legislatures manage to use multiple languages. The European Parliament, for example, provides full translation services in its 24 official languages.
Finally, giving Indigenous languages full recognition in Parliament would help to support them at a time when many are endangered. Making these languages more visible would be a concrete gesture toward ensuring their survival.
Language has always been at the heart of Canadian identity and ensuring that both English and French flourish in our most important political institutions has been key to national unity.
Extending this principle to Indigenous languages would be both logical and just. The House of Commons has a perfect opportunity to walk the talk on reconciliation. It should not let the moment pass.