A new pilot program aims to help train the “next generation of Indigenous language interpreters” at the NWT legislature.
The NWT government and Legislative Assembly announced the launch of the Interpreter Career Pathway Program on Tuesday, saying they want to “ensure highly specialized Indigenous language interpretation can continue to support the proceedings” of the assembly.
Under the NWT’s Official Languages Act, the Legislative Assembly is mandated to provide sessional proceedings and services in each of the territory’s 11 official languages.
“Language revitalization is an essential priority at the Legislative Assembly,” stated Speaker Shane Thompson.
“Legislative interpretation plays a vital role in supporting democracy and legislation, ensuring all residents of the Northwest Territories have access to sessional proceedings in their language.”
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The territorial government said fulfilling that obligation “requires a sustainable, skilled workforce, which stresses the urgency of succession planning and the need to build a new pool of trained Indigenous language interpreters.”
According to Tuesday’s press release, participants in the new pilot program will be paired with “seasoned interpreters” at the legislature and receive paid training that combines on-the-job experience and online learning. That will include shadowing interpreters during at least two assembly proceedings and participating in simulated interpretation sessions.
Fluent Indigenous language speakers can apply to the training program until April 26. The NWT government said people who may not self-identify as “fluent,” but who can comfortably hold a conversation, should consider themselves eligible for the program.
The program will run from May 2026 to March 2027 with an applicant selected for each of eight official Indigenous languages:
- Dene Kǝdǝ́;
- Dëne Sųłıné;
- Dene Zhatıé ;
- Dinjii Zhuʼ Ginjik;
- Inuinnaqtun;
- Inuktitut;
- Inuvialuktun; and
- Tłı̨chǫ.
Beyond supporting continued interpretation services at the assembly, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment said the program also aims to support language revitalization.
“I appreciate the expertise and ongoing commitment of our Legislative Assembly interpreters, without whom this new program would not be possible, and look forward to meeting program participants and following their progress,” she stated.
