W̱JOȽEȽP, UNCEDED TERRITORY OF W̱SÁNEĆ NATION / BRENTWOOD BAY, B.C., April 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- – Funding outlined in Tuesday's federal budget destined to support First Nations language revitalization in British Columbia falls far short of what is needed to meet the government's obligations under the Indigenous Languages Act (C-91). Instead of growing and expanding programming as the legislation proposed in 2019, this funding level will yield less than the amount received last year, says the head of the province's First Nations-led Crown Corporation whose mandate is to enable language revitalization in B.C.   B.C. has a globally recognized model for language revitalization and its programming is now in jeopardy, including community-based jobs for hundreds of women. B.C. has the greatest diversity of First Nations languages in Canada, with half of all languages in the country originating in this province. There are 36 unique languages across B.C.'s 204 First Nations, and more than 95 dialects.  The federal government has allocated $225 million over five years for Indigenous language programs across the country. Starting in 2024-25, $45 million will be allocated per year. B.C. will receive a portion of that amount based on a funding formula.   For the past five years, following the introduction of the federal Indigenous Languages Act, Bill C-91, funding for languages increased significantly, greatly expanding access to language learning in B.C. Between 2018 and 2022, B.C. saw a 20 per cent increase in the numbers of people who were learning their language. Last year, FPCC received $40.3 million ...