Remplissez le formulaire ci-dessous pour vous inscrire à l’infolettre de la Fondation du Grand Montréal.
À chaque mois, nous abordons un thème différent avec un mot de la direction ainsi que de courtes vignettes portant sur les fonds, les philanthropes et les organismes qui forment la communauté de la FGM en se mettant à l’écoute et au service de la communauté du Grand Montréal.
The Indigenous Language Program advances Native Montreal’s mission to strengthen the holistic well-being, cultural continuity, and self-determination of Indigenous individuals, families, and communities in the greater Montréal area. Through free and accessible programming, the initiative creates meaningful opportunities for Indigenous people of all ages to reclaim, revitalize, practice, and celebrate their languages within a supportive urban Indigenous community. By centering intergenerational learning, cultural pride, and community connection, the program contributes to stronger identity, belonging, and cultural resilience among members.
The program delivers structured spring, fall, and winter semesters for children, youth, and adults, serving approximately 100 participants per semester with up to 25 hours of instruction per learner. Classes are offered at beginner and intermediate levels and may include languages such as Abenaki, Anishinaabemowin, Innu, Inuktitut, Eeyou Istchee (James Bay Cree), Kanien’kéha, and Mi’kmaq, reflecting the rich linguistic diversity of Indigenous peoples living in Montréal. By increasing access to Indigenous language learning in an urban setting, the program supports long-term language retention, confidence in language use, and the normalization of Indigenous languages in everyday community life.
Programming is led by fluent speakers, instructors, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers who integrate language learning with cultural teachings, storytelling, and land-based knowledge. Through ongoing curriculum development and collaboration among educators, the program continuously adapts to community needs while strengthening culturally grounded teaching practices and accessible learning resources. These efforts help ensure that participants not only gain language skills, but also deepen their understanding of Indigenous worldviews, traditions, and cultural practices connected to language.
Beyond classroom instruction, the program fosters year-round community engagement through language socials, storytelling gatherings, cultural workshops, immersive land-based activities, and an annual Indigenous Languages Conference focused on preservation, revitalization, and celebration in an urban context. Together, these activities create spaces for practical language use, strengthen intergenerational relationships, and encourage sustained participation in language learning journeys over time. Ultimately, the program contributes to the long-term revitalization of Indigenous languages by building community capacity, increasing opportunities for daily language use, and reinforcing the transmission of language and culture across generations.
