NNSL (Mar 30/98) - Language and culture are intimately linked, so it is no surprise a language conference in Iqaluit March 24 through 26 touched many emotional buttons.

Approximately 60 people flew in from around Nunavut, Nunavik, Labrador and the NWT to attend.

The meeting was sponsored by the Nunavut Implementation Commission to prepare language policies for the new Nunavut government, particularly in the area of education. Delegates included NIC commissioner John Amagoalik and Judy Tutcho, the NWT's commissioner of official languages.

"I think the fear was basically, 'What are you dropping?' and, 'Are you going to decide here what you're going to drop?'" said Tutcho.

And nobody could give those answers, she said.

Many people representing communities, including Peter Ernerk, newly appointed deputy minister of culture, language, elders and youth for the emerging Nunavut government, said the main goal is a simple one: preserve all aboriginal languages in Nunavut.

Still, despite the optimism and confidence that Inuit languages will survive, obstacles remain. And languages are slipping away, particularly among the youth.

"Some of the languages across the NWT are in their eleventh hour," Tutcho warned.

"Some are at a quarter to 12. Once we lose it, our culture goes with it and there is nowhere we can go to pick up North Slavey in the Sahtu, for example."

Currently, through the Education Act, communities decide collectively whether they want to have schooling in Dogrib, Inuktitut or one of the languages Tutcho described as on its last legs, Inuvialuktun.

Some people would like to see various aboriginal languages taught in kindergarten through Grade 12 or even into post-secondary schools.

Cost is one major factor. Others include not enough teachers or materials, particularly since many languages are based in oral history and not historically written down.

Meanwhile, the conference comes as Aboriginal Languages Month nears its end.

It was a month the GNWT did not commemorate.

"We have not organized anything this year," said Bob Galipeau, the manager of the language services section of Education, Culture and Employment.

"This year we've had a change with programs transferred from the executive to Education Culture and Employment," he explained.

Galipeau said he is an office of one right now, funds are being transferred to the section and the lack of events was not because he did not want to do anything.

Whatever the cause, failing to even issue a press release for to mark the month leaves a poor impression, Tutcho noted.

"I'm quite disappointed because they are the biggest players and they are the guys who receive funding from the federal government for official languages," Tutcho said. "I should not be the only advocator."