Autumn Cooper of the StzB次元官网网址檜minus First Nation has become fluent in her dying native language in just a year, thanks to support from the First PeoplesB次元官网网址� Cultural Council (FPCC), which is receiving $34.75 million for cultural reclamation and revitalization.

At the legislature Tuesday (June 14), Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Murray Rankin announced $25 million for the council over three years to support community-based grants in art, heritage, language revitalization training and technology. Another $7.5 million will go to the FPCC directly for this fiscal year.

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Additionally, $2.6 million from advanced education and schools training will fund a two-year partnership with the FPCCB次元官网网址檚 Youth Empowered Speakers (YES) program. YES supports First Nations students such as Cooper studying education and early childhood learning by giving them one-on-one mentorships, mentor-apprentice language training and paid internships.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not in this journey alone,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a very tricky journey and weB次元官网网址檙e all in it together.B次元官网网址�

Rankin said he is proud to be part of a government that recognizes the significant value of First Nations languages, arts, culture and heritage.

B次元官网网址淩evitalization efforts are crucial in protecting these languages and these cultures. Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples will not be accomplished without that.B次元官网网址�

Language, arts and heritage are vital for connecting people to their communities, land and culture across generations, he added.

B次元官网网址淟anguage plays a crucial role in our daily lives, not only as a tool for communication, education and social development, but also as a reservoir for our unique identities, artistic expression, cultural history, traditions and memory across the planet.B次元官网网址�

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Council CEO Tracey Herbert said this partnership will B次元官网网址渃hange the course of history,B次元官网网址� adding, B次元官网网址渨e would not have a road map for the future without our knowledge keepers.B次元官网网址�

Lorna WanostsB次元官网网址檃7 Williams, chair of the First PeoplesB次元官网网址� Cultural Foundation, was also on hand for the announcement.

B次元官网网址淲e know that sustainable long-term investments into Indigenous cultural revitalization will yield many benefits in terms of economic development, self-determination and self-governance, health and wellness,B次元官网网址� she said.

Indigenous knowledge is vital to all British Columbians and the funding shows Canada and the world that Indigenous peoples will continue to lead revitalization efforts and ensure their language, art, culture and heritage flourish, Williams added.

B次元官网网址� with files from Jane Skrypnek

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