Further to the response provided to the Member for Monfwi on May 23, 2025, the following additional information is provided:
The Indigenous Language and Education Policy was launched in 2018. This Policy mandates that Education Bodies provide quality Indigenous language instruction and relevant culture-based school programming. This includes ensuring Elders and cultural resource experts play an integral role in developing these learning environments. Based on the implementation of this Policy, the Elders in school programming have evolved from being a stand-alone initiative to becoming an integral component embedded across all areas of education programming and initiatives, ensuring alignment with and enhancement of Indigenous education throughout the system.
Since 2018, all Indigenous language and education funding has gone directly to Education Bodies. The School Funding Framework outlines how Education Bodies receive funding in five specific areas:
Regional Indigenous Languages and Education Coordinator positions, who provide a centralized leadership role in coordinating regional Indigenous languages instruction and education;
Indigenous Education, to support the operation and maintenance of Indigenous education programs and activities in all classrooms, including key cultural activities, school-community relationships, and funding for cultural resource workers and Elders in schools; Indigenous Language Instruction Staff; Resource Development, for the implementation of Our Languages Curriculum and the Indigenous Languages & Education Handbook; and, Community Support, to hire cultural resource experts, including Elders, and purchase or rent land-based equipment and supplies to support Indigenous language revitalization.
In 2024-2025, the GNWT provided $12.274M for Indigenous languages and education initiatives in schools. Of this amount, $1.386M went to regional Indigenous language education coordinators, $1.806M to Indigenous Education, $7.319M to Indigenous language instruction staff, $1.011M to resource development, and $752K to community supports.
Through the implementation of the Indigenous Language and Education Policy and School Funding Framework, the Elders in Schools Program has been fully integrated into all NWT schools as part of the decentralized approach. While the previous Elders in Schools Program no longer exists in its original form, Elders continue to play an active role in school programming. Education Bodies have the flexibility to allocate funding towards Elder involvement in various initiatives, including mental health and wellness supports, on-the-land and school-based culture programming, and Indigenous language instruction.
Given that the Elders in Schools Program is no longer a stand-alone initiative, the Department does not plan to undertake a formal program evaluation. However, Education Bodies are required to submit an Operating Plan and Annual Report yearly under the Education Accountability Framework, which includes planning priorities, funding allocations, and reporting on Indigenous language and education programming. These reports identify the number of community members and cultural support workers, including Elders, engaged in school-based initiatives. Through these reporting mechanisms, Education Bodies not only report on current efforts, but also identify challenges where additional support or resources are needed to strengthen access to Indigenous programming for all students.
