The Canadian Association of Applied Linguistics recognizes the responsibility of our association to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. We do so by acknowledging the words of the Honorable Justice Murray Sinclair, Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner, who tells us, “Whatever it is that you do, make sure you never stop doing it. This is life’s work.”

Accordingly, we commit our efforts to work towards reconciliation by supporting:

• The development of Indigenous language teachers
• Indigenous language degree and diploma programs at college and university level
• The work of researchers, educators, and students in the maintenance, revitalization, and strengthening of Indigenous languages
• The development of language curricula with Indigenous content and perspectives
• The integration of education for reconciliation into teacher education programs (building intercultural understanding, empathy, and respect; supporting language teaching that takes into account residential schools and Indigenous history).

Some of the ways ACLA has done this and is planning to do this include:

• Keynote speakers at annual ACLA conferences
• ACLA 2016 joint panel session with Canadian Linguistics Association and SSHRC on the language-related Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
• ACLA 2023 Invited Symposium: IONKWAKWENIONHÁTIE – HAUDENOSAUNEE WOMEN, KINSHIP AND LANGUAGE RESURGENCE IN KAHNAWÀ:KE
• Papers and panels on the topic of Indigenous languages at annual ACLA conferences
• Funding initiatives specifically targeting professional activities to promote awareness-raising among our members and to support attendance of Indigenous graduate student members at the ACLA annual conference, for example the implementation of the Indigenous Graduate Student Award
• Addition of the Indigenous Languages Advocate position on the ACLA Executive