The Government of Manitoba, a province of Canada, has launched a pilot project to translate Hansard into the province's Indigenous languages, beginning with Anishinaabemowin.

Onigaming First Nation man and Premier Wab Kinew announced the initiative on National Indigenous Languages Day, describing it as a step toward preserving and strengthening the languages of Anishinaabemowin, Dakota, Cree, Anisininew, Métis, Inuit and Dene Peoples in Manitoba.

"This project will generate a huge amount of Indigenous language text, which will help language learners, teachers and artificial intelligence researchers work with our province's first languages," Mr Kinew said.

Hansard is the official record of debates in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly.

The pilot will begin this spring and focus on translating English and French legislative content into Anishinaabemowin.

Language experts will be involved in developing accurate translations and may coin new terms to reflect government business.

Mr Kinew notes the project may later expand to include additional materials such as mandate letters and government communications.

The province has begun recruiting two Indigenous translators to support the project.

Applications are open on the Manitoba government's website.

This announcement follows a federal commitment of more than $15.3 million over five years to the Manitoba Métis Federation, to support the revitalisation of the Michif language.

Manitoba Métis Federation Minister of French and Michif Language Protection, Andrew Carrier, said the funding would help undo the damage caused by generations of language loss.

"In the past, our Elders were shamed in schools for speaking it, which actively discouraged their use of Michif, and harmed their ability and willingness to pass it down to younger generations," Mr Carrier said.

"This is the language of our Ancestors and of our Nation, and there is no doubt in my mind that the Red River Métis are the most invested in restoring Michif to our people."

The funding was delivered through a new federal model under the Indigenous Languages Act, which aims to provide long-term agreements and increase Indigenous control over language revitalisation efforts.