'Language is identity': Indigenous Ontario legislator to make history at Queen's Park

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Decades after being punished in a residential school for speaking his own language, Sol Mamakwa will hold the powerful to account at Ontario's legislature in the very same language past governments tried to bury.

Ontario NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa ask a question during question period at Queen's Park in Toronto on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. Decades after being punished in a residential school for speaking his own language, Sol Mamakwa will hold the powerful to account at Ontario's legislature in the very same language past governments tried to bury.

"It's important because there's so many of us who are losing our languages. I think it's a step toward reconciliation and a step toward reviving our languages." A chance encounter in March between Sol Mamakwa and Government House Leader Paul Calandra triggered the change. Calandra, a staunch Progressive Conservative who runs multiple ministries, strolled by with his staffers and, as he is wont to do, chirped at the Official Opposition members.

The only official languages at Queen's Park are English and French, he told Calandra. It had been that way since Confederation in 1867, with the rules laid out in a standing order. The new rules are now enshrined: "Every Member desiring to speak must rise in his or her place and address the Speaker, in either English, French or an Indigenous language spoken in Canada. If a Member wishes to address the House in an Indigenous language, they shall, prior to taking their seat for the first time, notify the Clerk of the House of the language in which they intend to speak so the Speaker may arrange appropriate interpretation and translation capabilities.

When Mamakwa speaks, his words will be translated to English and sent to the earbuds inside the house, out for broadcast and up to the French interpreter on the fifth floor for further translation – all in real-time. Indigenous leaders are expected to take in the historic moment, including Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations in northwestern Ontario.

Liz McGuire, the Blue Jays fan who was struck in the face with a 110 m.p.h. foul ball last week, has been pictured on a custom baseball trading card applauding her fandom to the game.Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.

Source: Education Headlines (educationheadlines.net)

 

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