The Quebec government will invest $147 million into the province’s Indigenous communities with the launch of the first Action Plan for the Social and Cultural Development of First Nations and Inuit.

Premier Philippe Couillard announced the funding on Wednesday morning at a Quebec City museum.

The five-year plan is aimed at putting in place new services for the province’s Indigenous communities, including bolstering their education systems.

Other goals include developing midwife services, supporting women’s groups in the fight to combat sexual violence and better support for Indigenous people in the justice and prison systems.

There will also be funding to support Indigenous languages and culture. 

Poet Natasha Kanape Fontaine was on hand for the announcement. She said that after leaving Pessamit at the age of six, she lost her fluency in her Native language of Innu and was only able to relearn it later in life. She called the experience of reacquiring the language of her ancestors "the best thing that's happened in my life."

"Before, I was too shy to be able to speak," she said. "Now, I'm able to (speak) at many kinds of events in Innu and I'm very proud of that. I almost lost that for the rest of my life but now I'm able to express myself in Innu and able to speak with my father and family."

Native Affairs Minister Geoff Kelley said one concrete way the action plan will help promote Indigenous languages is by supporting community radio stations in different communities. 

Couillard also announced the five-year renewal of the $135 million Indigenous Initiatives Fund, which supports economic and community projects.

- With files from CTV Montreal