Join CUPE Ontario at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on the morning of Tuesday, May 28, 2024, to watch MPP Sol Mamakwa speak. This day will be his first time speaking Anishininimowin for a full order of business.
Since being first elected in 2018, Sol has not been permitted to speak his language in the House (except for a few words at the beginning or end of my remarks). Standing order VI, 24(a), which was the mechanism restricting him from speaking Anishininimowin in the House, read: “Every Member desiring to speak must rise in his or her place and address the Speaker, in either English or French.”
After years of advocating a change from this colonial policy, on March 26, 2024, the Government House Leader moved the following motion, which subsequently passed:
“Every Member desiring to speak must rise in his or her place and address the Speaker, in either English, French, or an Indigenous language spoken in Canada. If a Member wishes to address the House in an Indigenous language, they shall, prior to taking their seat for the first time, notify the Clerk of the House of the language in which they intend to speak so the Speaker may arrange appropriate interpretation and translation capabilities.”
This historic first step signifies a long-overdue recognition of the importance and value of Indigenous languages in our legislative processes. It will be an even greater significant moment when Sol deliver a full order of business in Anishininimowin on May 28, 2024.
Due to demand, we will only be able to accommodate the first 50 respondents. Further instructions on transportation and procedure will be provided closer to.
