Official Languages:
* English: The primary language of government and commerce.
* French: Recognized as an official language, but less widely spoken than English.
Indigenous Languages:
* Dene Languages: The most widely spoken indigenous languages in the NWT. They include:
* Chipewyan (Dene Suline)
* Slavey (Dene Zhatie)
* Dogrib (Dene Tha)
* South Slavey (Dene Ya'the)
* North Slavey (Dene N'the)
* Hare (Dene K'e)
* Beaufort Sea Inuinnait (Dene K'e)
* Inuit Languages: Spoken in the northernmost regions of the NWT. They include:
* Inuinnaqtun (Western Canadian Inuktitut)
* Inuktitut
* Tłı̨chǫ (Dogrib): A distinct language spoken in the Yellowknife area.
* Gwich’in: Spoken in the northeastern portion of the NWT, bordering Alaska.
Other Languages:
* Cree: Spoken by some communities in the southern NWT.
* Other Indigenous Languages: There are several other smaller indigenous languages spoken, such as Atikamekw.
* Immigrant Languages: The NWT has a growing population of immigrants, bringing with them languages from around the world.
Important Notes:
* Language Revitalization: Many Indigenous languages face threats of extinction. Efforts are being made to revitalize and preserve these languages.
* Multilingualism: Many residents of the NWT are bilingual or even multilingual, speaking both Indigenous and official languages.
It's important to remember that language is a vibrant and evolving part of any culture. While English and French are the official languages, the NWT is a culturally rich region with a diverse array of languages spoken and cherished.