Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today to table this petition, which was created by Tseshaht First Nation member Dawn Foxcroft. It is timely. It is around indigenous language funding, and yesterday, as we know, was the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
I am tabling this petition on behalf of Canadians who are deeply concerned about the future of indigenous languages. The petitioners draw the attention of the House to the fact that reconciliation requires urgent action to address the devastating loss of language and culture that first nations have experienced. This is a truth and reconciliation call to action. They note that while more and more indigenous people are seeking to learn their languages, including survivor Clara from Hupacasath First Nation, whom I walked with yesterday and who is learning her language and never had an opportunity, the number of fluent speakers continues to fall. The petitioners further raise concerns that recent changes to federal funding put language preservation and revitalization at risk.
The petitioners, many of whom walked yesterday with survivors, therefore call on the Government of Canada to ensure fair, adequate and long-term funding for indigenous languages programming so that this vital work can continue before it is too late.