Governor General to celebrate the launch of the UN Decade of Indigenous Languages

April 21, 2022

OTTAWA, Ontario—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, will speak at the Canadian launch of the UN Decade of Indigenous Languages. Her Excellency will join Indigenous leaders, academics, diplomats, representatives from various organizations and youth to mark this significant milestone. Chief Perry Bellegarde will also speak at the event.

The event, entitled Languages of the Land, will be co-hosted by the Royal Geographical Society of Canada, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Date: April 22, 2022
Time: 10:30 a.m. EDT
Location: Royal Canadian Geographical Society, 50 Sussex Drive, Ottawa

Livestream: Media wishing to view the event can watch the livestream using the following link: https://rcgs.org/indigenous-languages/

Notes for media:

  • There is space for a limited number of media to attend the in-person event. Please register your interest by contacting hoban@canadiangeographic.ca.
  • Official photographs will be available to media. Please contact media@gg.ca for further information.


The UN Decade of Indigenous Languages
As the United Nations believes that more work is needed to protect, revitalise, preserve and promote Indigenous languages, it has designated the period between 2022 and 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. The initiative aims to raise global awareness about the importance of Indigenous languages for sustainable development, peacebuilding and reconciliation, and to mobilize further resources for the support and promotion of Indigenous languages worldwide. For more information, visit Indigenous Languages Decade (unesco.org).

Media information:
Rideau Hall Press Office
343-573-7563
media@gg.ca

The Royal Canadian Geographical Society
Keegan Hoban
Communications Coordinator
877-786-2376 ext. 138
hoban@canadiangeographic.ca

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