Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 29, 2008

IQALUIT - Minister of Culture, Languages, Elders and Youth Louis Tapardjuk was given a new portfolio shortly before the Legislative Assembly dissolved on Sept. 19.

Premier Paul Okalik announced Tapardjuk would serve as the territory's first Minister of Languages, just hours before Nunavut Commissioner Ann Meekitjuk Hanson dissolved the government ahead of next month's election.

The new ministerial position is intended to aid in the implementation of the Inuit Language Protection Act which was passed Sept. 18.

"This is significant moment for our young territory," Okalik said.

While the ministerial position does not accompany a new department, the ministry will be staffed.

The language protection act guarantees Inuktitut will be offered in all levels of government and community services by 2012.

Beginning in July 2009, Inuktitut language instruction will be offered for students in kindergarten through Grade 3, with older classes to follow by 2019.

"I think it's going to sink in slowly but we should be ready to face the challenges ahead of us," Tapardjuk said.

Meanwhile, the Office of Languages Commissioner, an independent ombudsman dedicated to the enforcement of the Official Languages Act, is currently vacant. The term of acting commissioner Eva Aariak wrapped up in August.

The new languages commissioner will be hired sometime after the new Legislative Assembly convenes in November.

The position will be revamped to reflect the strengthened language legislation, according to public affairs officer Cindy Rennie.