Dorothy Myo Appointed Canada’s New Commissioner of Indigenous Languages

Dorothy Myo has been appointed Canada's new Commissioner of Indigenous Languages, succeeding interim commissioner Candice St-Aubin as the office faces scrutiny over allegations of workplace concerns and financial management.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Myo was raised on Saulteaux First Nation in Saskatchewan and speaks Cree and Saulteaux. She has held senior positions in several Indigenous organisations at both federal and provincial levels, including serving as head of the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.

Myo was not available for an interview.

Role Created to Promote Indigenous Languages

The position of Commissioner of Indigenous Languages was established in response to Call to Action 15 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action. It urged the federal government to appoint a commissioner to promote Indigenous languages and assess whether federal funding for language initiatives is adequate.

Following the passage of the Indigenous Languages Act in 2019, Ronald E. Ignace was appointed as Canada's first Commissioner of Indigenous Languages in 2021.

The commissioner serves a five-year term and is appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the minister of Canadian Heritage, following consultations with Indigenous communities and leadership.

St-Aubin, who took over the role in July after Ignace's term ended, congratulated Myo in a statement issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages on Tuesday.

"At a time when the need for concerted efforts and investments in Indigenous language revitalization is so urgent, the commission’s mandate carries profound meaning," St-Aubin said.

She expressed confidence that Myo's knowledge, experience and leadership would help guide the commission into its next chapter.

Office Under Scrutiny Over Allegations

The appointment comes as the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages faces questions following allegations made by former employees to Canadian Heritage in April 2025. The complaints included claims of a toxic workplace and poor financial decisions, including concerns surrounding a $10 million language gathering.

In response, the Department of Canadian Heritage engaged an independent third-party firm to conduct a financial audit of the office. The firm was contracted in January 2026, but no timeline has been announced for the completion of the review.

In an emailed statement to CBC Indigenous, the office said it expects to emerge from the department's examination with stronger internal procedures.

It also disclosed that separate third-party reviews had been conducted to address workplace concerns, adding that Myo would review their findings.

"Our objective remains that the Office can continue to grow based on high standards for performance and serve Indigenous Peoples and communities effectively," the statement said.

CBC News