The Interpreter Career Pathway Program launched yesterday, with eight fluent Indigenous language speakers selected to participate from a pool of 22 candidates.
The new pilot program aims to train these participants to become interpreters at the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly.
The eight languages that spoken by the trainees are Dene Kǝdǝ́, Dëne Sųłıné, Dene Zhatıé, Dinjii Zhuhʼ Ginjik, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, and Tłı̨chǫ.
“When Indigenous languages are spoken in public and political spaces like the Legislative Assembly, they take their rightful place in government and society,” said Minister Caitlin Cleveland.
The Legislative Assembly says that nēhiyawēwin interpretation could not be included in the program due to the lack of an experienced interpreter for the language and say they are working to identify and recruit qualified nēhiyawēwin interpreters.
The trainees began the year-long program with a two-day in-person orientation at the Yellowknife Ski Club and the Legislative Assembly.
They will work with existing Legislative Assembly interpreters to complete 18 days of in-person training, including shadowing experienced interpreters during Legislative Assembly proceedings, as well as virtual mentorship and skill development.
The program’s curriculum was developed by Relentless Indigenous Woman Co., with the assistance of current interpreters, and aims to focus on terminology development and on-the-job training, while also being rooted in identity and connection.
The program is expected to run from May of this year until March of 2027.
