Canada's federal government has announced an investment to support the revitalisation of the Michif language.

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) will receive $15.3 million over five years, starting in 2023-2024, to revitalise the Michif language.

The Canadian government said the move reflects its commitment to "empowering First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in reclaiming and strengthening their languages".

The funding was announced by Taleeb Noormohamed, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, on behalf of Minister Pascale St-Onge.

Minister of French and Michif Language Protection for the MMF, Andrew Carrier, emphasised the importance of this initiative in addressing historical harm.

"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," he said.

"This damage to our language transmission was ongoing for several generations, and the work of revitalising Michif will also take generations," he said.

He described the Michif language as "the language of our Ancestors and of our Nation."

Mr Noormohamed acknowledged the MMF's leadership in these efforts.

"The Manitoba Métis Federation has been at the forefront of efforts to safeguard and promote the Michif language," he said.

"These funds will support a series of strategic initiatives and community-driven projects that are essential for revitalising and enhancing the rich linguistic heritage of the Red River Métis."

The funds will allow the MMF to implement a language strategy that focuses on community engagement, capacity building, and resource development.

Initial steps include partnerships with educational institutions and the creation of a governance framework for overseeing language revitalisation.

The MMF will also redistribute part of the funds to Red River Métis organisations and community groups to further empower local initiatives.

The funding is part of a new model introduced under the Indigenous Languages Act, which prioritises Indigenous-led strategies and long-term agreements.

Minister St-Onge highlighted the significance of this approach.

"This investment in revitalising the Michif language, coupled with the new funding model, marks a transformative step in our approach to supporting Indigenous language revitalisation across Canada," he said.

"It underscores our commitment to empowering Indigenous communities with the autonomy to lead and effectively implement their own language strategies, fully aligned with the Indigenous Languages Act."

The Indigenous Languages Act, which received Royal Assent in 2019, provides the framework for these initiatives.

Budget 2024 has allocated $225 million over five years to support the Act's implementation, with $45 million annually thereafter, ensuring long-term support for Indigenous language revitalisation efforts.