Decades of erasure leave Indigenous languages endangered nationwide – Durham College
December 9, 2025
When Sol Mamakwa, MPP for Kiiwetinoong, rose at Queen’s Park on May 21, 2024, he began speaking in Anishininiimowin, or Oji-Cree, an Indigenous language.
His 10-minute speech was the first time that anyone had spoken any language besides English or French in the Ontario legislature, and the first time it was interpreted and transcribed.
The New Democrat urged Indigenous people to revitalize their languages and called for other legislative bodies to allow Indigenous languages to be spoken officially.
