Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 03/99) - With the Official Languages Act scheduled to be reviewed next year, the language commissioner is calling for grassroots participation in the revision process.

Judi Tutcho told a gathering of delegates from western NWT communities last week that input from them and their neighbours is vital to making the act more relevant to those it was designed to protect.

"If we don't (get involved in revising the act), it's going to be rubber-stamped," Tutcho told delegates at the April 27-28 Aboriginal Language Communities conference. "We need to count on you for your support and participation."

By law, the act must be reviewed by the legislative assembly, or a committee of the assembly, in the first session after Dec. 31, 2000.

Tutcho said she will be spreading word of the revision and the need for public participation at aboriginal assemblies this summer. Tutcho is also lobbying for a language conference next March to gather input.

The Official Languages Act of the NWT was designed to provide equal opportunity to government jobs and services for each of the 11 official languages. It also created the office of the language commissioner, who is responsible for ensuring language rights are respected.

One outspoken delegate at last week's conference is looking for some big changes to the act.

Maggie Kurzewski said the government is not doing a very good job returning something it took from the people of the North. Kurzewski, the daughter of a Chipewyan father and a Cree mother, said she lost her native language when she was sent to a convent.

She can understand some of each language, but can speak neither.

"I'm trying to get our language back -- at all costs," said the Fort Smith woman.

Kurzewski said she does not accept the excuse that there is no more money for additional language programs.

"The government took it away -- they can afford to bring it back."

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Michael Miltenberger called for input on ways to preserve aboriginal languages from conference delegates. Miltenberger said he anticipates a draft language preservation strategy to be ready by the fall.