Government of Canada supports Indigenous cultures and languages in Quebec
Canada NewsWire
KAHNAWÀ:KE, QC, April 1, 2026
The Government of Canada supports construction of the Kahnawà:ke Cultural Arts Center and efforts to preserve and revitalize the Kanien'kéha language
KAHNAWÀ:KE, QC, April 1, 2026 /CNW/ - Language is a part of culture, defines identity, and plays a central role in the transmission of knowledge, values and traditions. This is why we recognize the importance of supporting the significant efforts of Indigenous peoples to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen their languages.
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, travelled to Kahnawà:ke to meet with band council members and tour the Nation's new multidisciplinary cultural center.
This welcoming cultural space, which includes a performance hall and a museum, will enable several organizations to offer their activities there in the future. The Kanien'kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center, which has been helping preserve and revitalize the Kanien'kéha language for almost 50 years, is one of the organizations that will enrich the programming at the Center.
An investment of $2.5 million has been made in the construction of the Kahnawà:ke Cultural Arts Center. Provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, this funding has also made it possible to acquire specialized equipment that makes the performance and creation spaces even more adapted and ready to receive a multitude of artists
The Kanien'kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center also receives support from the Indigenous Languages Program, totalling approximately $700,000 over five years (2023–2028), to support the teaching of Kanien'kéha.
This funding will enable the Mohawk Nation to continue its efforts to reclaim, protect, maintain and revitalize its language.
Quotes
"As we marked National Indigenous Languages Day yesterday, we are proud to support the Kahnawà:ke community's efforts to reclaim and revitalize the Kanien'kéha language and culture. Across the country, we are committed to working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples to support them in implementing their own language and cultural revitalization initiatives, and to preserve this precious heritage for future generations."
—The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages
"For several years now, the Kanien'kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center has received support from Canadian Heritage for the Kanien'kéha Ratiwennahnírats adult language immersion program. The Department also contributed to the construction of Kanatahkwèn:ke, where we now occupy two new, modern classrooms offering an improved learning environment. We would like to thank the Government of Canada for its ongoing support, and recognize Minister Miller's presence today in Kahnawà:ke on the first day of activities in our new facilities."
—Kawennanőron Lisa Phillips, Executive Director, Kanien'kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center
Quick Facts
The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke is the governing body that plays a key role in managing the community of Kahnawà:ke, one of numerous communities that make up the Mohawk Nation. Located in Montérégie, on Montréal's South Shore, its mandate is to protect the rights, culture, resources and values of Kahnawà:ke, to continue to improve them, and to govern in such a way that members of the community benefit from these as much as possible.
Established in 1978, the Kanien'kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center is an Indigenous non-profit organization located in Kahnawà:ke. Its mission is to preserve and revitalize the Kanien'kéha language by offering a language immersion program.
The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund supports the improvement of physical conditions that foster innovation in the areas of heritage, culture, creativity and the arts. The Fund supports renovation projects as well as the acquisition of specialized equipment and the planning, development and execution of feasibility studies related to arts and heritage cultural spaces.
The Indigenous Languages Program supports First Nations, Inuit and Métis-led initiatives to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen their languages.
Associated Links
Kanien'kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center (English only)
SOURCE Canadian Heritage
