Ontario First Nation legislator makes history at Queen's Park
CBC
A First Nation legislator addressed Queen's Park in his own language on Tuesday, marking the first time a language other than English and French has officially been allowed in Ontario's legislative chamber.
New Democrat Sol Mamakwa spoke to the Ontario legislature in Anishininiimowin, known in English as Oji-Cree.
For the first time, the Ontario legislature allowed, interpreted and transcribed a language other than English and French.
"It is a great event, a historic event," he told the chamber, adding it was an "immense feeling" to address the legislature in the language of his ancestors.
Mamakwa stressed that many First Nations languages are going extinct, and he said he was speaking on behalf of Indigenous people who lost their languages as a result of Canada's residential school system.
"The language was taken from us by the arrival of the settlers, colonization and residential schools," he said. "They were punished for speaking their own language. They were given manual labour for speaking in their own language in residential schools."
Mamakwa urged Indigenous people to keep their languages alive.
"Everyone that is listening: we need to revitalize our First Nations languages. Teach your children to speak their First Nation language and to be proud of it," he said.
Mamakwa sparked the change after convincing Government House Leader Paul Calandra to allow him to speak at the legislature in the language his parents taught him.
About 100 supporters gathered in Toronto to watch the historic moment, including Mamakwa's mother, siblings, friends and First Nation leaders. It was a gift to his mom, Kezia Mamakwa, who turned 79 on Tuesday.
He credited her in particular with teaching him to speak Oji-Cree.
"She used to take me out, into the wilderness, onto the land, teaching me the language. That's why I am able to speak my First Nations language, because of my mom. She taught me," he said.
Mamakwa, from Kingfisher Lake First Nation in northern Ontario, says the milestone is important because Indigenous people are losing their languages and his speech and question in the legislature will mark a step toward reconciliation.
"We receive strength in speaking our language. It is like a healing medicine as we stand together to continue fighting for our rights as First Nations people," he said.
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