Sudbury sees rise in First Nations language use

While most languages other than English declined in the last five years in northern Ontario, some saw small increases.

According to the latest census numbers, Sudbury is one of the few places in the North where First Nations languages are on the increase.

The numbers are dropping in most other northern Ontario communities, including reserves. But in Sudbury, there are about 150 more Ojibwe and Cree speakers than there were five years ago.

Kathy Dokis-Ranney of the Rainbow School Board in Sudbury would like to think that's because of Ojibwe language classes she's helped organize.

She said they have about 500 students enrolled, which is dozens more than just a few years ago.

"I've been told by some elders that without the language you don't have the culture," she said.

Another language on the increase is Tagalog, the main language spoken in the Philippines.

In Sudbury, there are 110 Tagalog speakers double what it was a few years ago.

For Maria Theresa Carreon, who has been in northern Ontario for almost 20 years, she said she's been surprised to overhear the odd Tagalog word on the streets of Sudbury.

"It's like being in your country," Carreon said. "It's nice to converse once-in-a-while in your own language."

Nationally, Tagalog is the fastest growing language in Canada, up 64 per cent since the last census in 2006.

More English spoken

Languages from Asia and Africa made big leaps elsewhere in Canada thanks to new immigrants, but they are still rarely heard in the north.

The 2011 census also suggests that among the tens of thousands who still count themselves as French Canadians, more of them are speaking English at home.

But bilingualism is still strong in specific areas of northern Ontario 50 per cent of Timmins speaks both English and French, and 68 per cent do so in West Nipissing.

After the official languages, Italian is the third language most often spoken in northern Ontario, but it is declining. Sault Ste. Marie lost 1,000 Italian speakers in just the last five years.