Advocate for the legal recognition of Mi’kmaw, Innu-aimun, and Inuktitut as official languages of Newfoundland and Labrador.

First Light conducts preliminary research on legal recognition of Indigenous languages

Starting in July 2026, the First Light research team has begun preliminary research on legal recognition of Indigenous languages. This work is a component of the WISH project. See Call for Change 4 for more detail.

Legal recognition of Mi’kmaw, Innu-aimun, and Inuktitut/Inuttitut are crucial components of supporting equitable access to services for individuals for whom one of these languages is their first language. Legal recognition would support the provision of interpretation in essential services, such as healthcare. Without such services, Indigenous patients who are not fluent in English or French may be unable to fully understand or consent to medical procedures when the physician does not speak their language. This creates significant barriers to health equity and poses ethical and legal questions for physicians and surgeons.

Legal recognition also supports government services in translating important documentation so that all Indigenous people can have a more equitable level of access to information about government services compared to other Canadians who speak English or French.

For First Light:

• Mobilize findings from First Light’s language research to increase the visibility and everyday use of Indigenous languages in St. John’s, including through public spaces, programming, events, and learning opportunities.
• Coordinate with Indigenous organizations throughout the province to ensure that language revitalization efforts in St. John’s complement – and contribute to – the supports available in other communities. (See Call for Change 4.)