First Nations legislator makes history at Queen’s Park with speech in Oji-Cree

Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa’s speech marked the first time a language other than English or French had been allowed by officials in Ontario's legislative chamber

By Liam Casey and Allison Jones

A First Nations legislator addressed Queen's Park in his own language Tuesday, marking the first time a language other than English or French has been allowed by officials in Ontario's legislative chamber.

In the process, New Democrat Sol Mamakwa, who spoke for 10 minutes in Anishininiimowin, or Oji-Cree, in the Ontario legislature, secured a pledge from the premier to build a long-term-care home in Sioux Lookout. 

"I want to say thank you to everyone present. I'm very grateful, thankful for the opportunity to be able to speak my Anishininiimowin, in Indigenous Oji-Cree language in this legislature," Mamakwa said through an interpreter at the start of his speech.

"I am speaking for those that couldn't use our language and also for those people from Kiiwetinoong, not only those from Kiiwetinoong, but for every Indigenous person in Ontario."

Ontario's legislature had not previously allowed interpreting and transcribing a language other than English or French.