Province announces new ASL funding for Indigenous women and communities

The province is spending $146,000 to increase access to American Sign Language training for Indigenous women and communities, the Manitoba government announced Tuesday.

Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for accessibility, said the funds will help create four new training seats for Indigenous women through Red River College Polytech’s existing ASL-English Interpretation program.

It also includes $18,000 to create three ASL micro-credential courses that will support visual language education directly on reserve.

The funding comes as part of the province’s $20-million Mino’Ayaawag Ikwewag: All Women Doing Well strategy, which Fontaine said builds on the government’s commitment to stronger, more inclusive communities.