QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of Canadian Heritage
Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting
December 6, 2023
Thank you, minister. I’m sorry, I speak very little French.
You are responsible for the Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting funding. I have repeatedly been informed by my Yukon constituents that Indigenous-owned-and-operated radio stations, such as CHON-FM or NNBY, Northern Native Broadcasting Yukon, struggle with funding to replace equipment and increase their cultural programming. This funding program is within your department. It cannot be used for operations. It’s project-based. It’s a boutique program. Will you commit to examining the funding program to ensure that the financial conditions in which Northern Native Broadcasting Yukon operates allows them to continue to provide the programming that is within the spirit and intent of the Indigenous Languages Act?
I speak English a little bit as well.
Thank you for your question. The Department of Canadian Heritage is deeply involved in the revitalization of Indigenous languages. This obviously requires that Indigenous communities be able to hear their own languages spoken on TV or on the radio. My hat’s off to the hard-working people in community radio stations.
Indeed, our government is deeply committed not only to reconciliation, but to the collaborative work that is necessary to ensure the success of community initiatives. I’ll examine the ways in which the Department of Canadian Heritage can better support Indigenous community radio stations across Canada. Indigenous language revitalization and cultural transmission to future generations are absolutely essential.
Thank you. Minister, Northern Native Broadcasting Yukon was the founding organization of Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. In 2024 they are celebrating 40 years of service. Their delivery of essential cultural First Nations and Indigenous programming is essential throughout the Yukon, and the Yukon legacy is at risk without an increase in funding. This is the hard question. I’ve asked if you will look at your program to see if you can somehow increase the funding. Will you also request a funding increase to your colleague the Minister of Finance?
Thank you for bringing this particular case to my attention. I’ll see what we can do to support them within the program and, if required, to ask for more financial resources to ensure the success of broadcasters in the Yukon and across Indigenous communities. It’s an essential step toward reconciliation and the resources need to be there.
