“Our children deserve to learn the languages of their ancestors—Anishinaabemowin, Dakota, and other First Nations languages—as a regular part of their daily education, not as electives or afterthoughts.”
– Grand Chief Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 27, 2025
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is calling on the Governments of Canada and Manitoba to extend the same commitment to revitalizing First Nations languages that they have recently shown to French-language education. This follows the announcement of $72 million in joint federal-provincial funding to enhance French-language education in Manitoba.
“While investment in bilingualism is important, reconciliation must include the revitalization and protection of First Nations languages that have existed on these lands since time immemorial,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “Our children deserve to learn the languages of their ancestors—Anishinaabemowin, Dakota, and other First Nations languages—as a regular part of their daily education, not as electives or afterthoughts.”
Despite national and provincial commitments, access to First Nations language education in Manitoba remains limited. The 2021 Manitoba School Survey on Indigenous Languages found that only 46 of the province’s 441 schools offered an Indigenous-language program. Most of these programs—about 84 per cent—were available only from pre-kindergarten to grade eight, while less than one-third (32.6 per cent) extended into high school.
For funding, Manitoba’s 2024 budget set aside about $4.25 million for Indigenous education initiatives. This included 12 staff positions. However, less than one per cent of total education spending directly supports Indigenous-language teaching.
In the 2025-26 school year, the province is expected to provide $130 per eligible student enrolled in a French immersion program. Meanwhile, the province is expected to provide only $14 per student enrolled in an Indigenous-language course—significantly less than the support available for French-language education.
“These numbers make one thing clear,” said Grand Chief Daniels. “If First Nations languages are not prioritized in funding formulas, they risk being treated as cultural add-ons rather than living, thriving languages of instruction.”
At the national level, Canadian Heritage committed $225 million starting in 2024 to support Indigenous language promotion and revitalization across Canada. However, it remains unclear how much of this investment is being directed to Manitoba.
To date, SCO has received $287,075 from Canadian Heritage to develop First Nations language plans and $15,000 from Indigenous Services Canada’s Innovation in Education Program to support language camps. While SCO appreciates these contributions, they represent short-term investments that fall far short of the systemic change required to embed First Nations languages within Manitoba’s education system.
“Our ancestors were the first teachers on these lands,” stated Chief Dr. Stanley Bird of Peguis First Nation. “We are ready to work with governments to ensure our languages—and the worldviews they carry—are accessible to every child in Manitoba.”
SCO calls for the Government of Manitoba to embed First Nations-language instruction into the province’s kindergarten to grade 12 curriculum as a core part of literacy and reconciliation education. SCO also advocates for the province to provide equitable and sustained funding that recognizes the cultural and constitutional significance of First Nations languages, and to create dedicated leadership positions within Manitoba Education focused on First Nations language and cultural policy.
“Language carries our worldview, our identity, and our connection to the land,” said Grand Chief Daniels. “If we are serious about reconciliation, then every child in Manitoba should have access to First Nations language education. It’s time for the province to match its words with action.”
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 32 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
For media inquiries:
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca