(Submitted photo/Government of Saskatchewan)

By Brady Bateman

Additional Languages

Sask. Government announces additional language courses

Apr 16, 2019 | 4:56 PM

The Saskatchewan Government announced Tuesday new Indigenous language courses will expand learning opportunities for high school students in Saskatchewan. Courses in Dene, Nakawe and Michif at the 10, 20 and 30 level will be available for the 2019-20 school year.

These new language courses are in addition to the already available provincial Cree (nēhiyawēwin) course. Dene, Nakawe and Michif were previously available through locally developed courses to meet the needs of local students.

Lorel Trumier, Director of Education for Prince Albert Catholic Schools, said the announcement was a welcome addition.

“We’re always excited to have those kinds of releases and these kind of courses available to us as a school division,” Trumier said.

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“I know that we did have a positive response when we started offering Cree, so I’m sure there are students wanting those particular languages to be offered. We aren’t certain at this time what direction we will go, as there are many things that could impact it – such as staffing capacity. But it’s an exciting time in our province to acknowledge those languages are available for our students to learn.”

Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division Superintendent of Education, Randy Emmerson, echoed Trumier’s comments.

“We’re always trying to respond to demand, and we’ve been trying to address the Truth and Reconciliation calls to action,” Emmerson said. “When we do have students in the community that are interested in having more language taught in schools, it’s something we respond to.”

Emmerson added to ensure proper respect is given to the languages, it would be necessary to develop course-frameworks, as well as find qualified instructors capable of teaching the languages. He added the first step will be looking internally.

“Our government is proud to support the preservation and growth of First Nations and Métis languages in Saskatchewan,” Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant said in a media release. “We recognize that incorporating Indigenous language, culture and perspectives are foundational to the engagement and success of First Nations and Métis students.”

This initiative supports the Joint Task Force recommendations, which identify the importance of Indigenous languages and the significant role they play in preserving cultural traditions, knowledge and history.

“Reconciliation is about recognizing past wrongs, making sure those wrongs are not repeated and choosing to move forward together to build a better future,” Treaty Commissioner Mary Culbertson added in a media release.

“This renewed effort to acknowledge the significance of Indigenous languages and expand learning opportunities is an important step in creating inclusive learning environments for students and a meaningful step toward reconciliation in Saskatchewan. One day we hope to see all the linguistic groups throughout these territories represented and accessible in our schools so all our grandchildren will see themselves in their classrooms.”

“The retention and preservation of our Indigenous languages has been an important focus of mine and it is encouraging to see a Métis language included in these efforts being made within our provincial education system,” Métis Nation Saskatchewan Education Minister Earl Cook said. “This will assist in the retention of Michif, our official language. Providing Indigenous students with meaningful opportunities to learn about and connect with their cultural heritage is key to their success.”

Dene is primarily spoken by Chipewyan communities in northern Saskatchewan, while Nakawe is spoken by the Saulteaux and Ojibwe First Nations. Michif is the official Métis language.

“The retention and preservation of our Indigenous languages has been an important focus of mine and it is encouraging to see a Métis language included in these efforts being made within our provincial education system,” Cook said.

]School divisions across Saskatchewan will have the opportunity to offer these provincial Indigenous language courses beginning in the fall of 2019.

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– With files from CKOM

Brady.bateman@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TheDigitalBirdy