(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

MN-S expanding Michif language program to Prince Albert school divisions

May 2, 2021 | 8:00 AM

Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) are expanding their early learning language pilot projects in the Fall of 2021.

To preserve Métis culture MN-S announced a two-year pilot project in September 2020 where they created the Michif Early Learning Pilot Project (MELPP) and the Dene Early Learning Pilot Project (DELPP). According to a MN-S media release, over 130 kindergarten and prekindergarten students are learning the two languages because of these projects.

In the upcoming 2021-22 school year, DELPP will continue in La Loche through the Northern Lights School Division. MELPP will continue in many communities throughout the province but will be expanding into new school divisions including in Prince Albert in the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division (SRPSD) and the Prince Albert Catholic School Division. They will also be expanding into the Northwest School Division in Meadow Lake.

The Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division will be joining MELPP starting in the Fall. Staff from the St. Louis Public School and Queen Mary Public School Kindergarten and Prekindergarten classes are preparing to introduce students into the program.

“I think that we believe that anytime we can partner to enrich the learning that we’re providing and provide that community perspective, we will to the best of our ability,” superintendent of SRPSD Jennifer Hingley told paNOW. “We know that when we think about Prince Albert and being situated as part of the homeland of the Métis nation, we think it makes good sense that we would pick this program up and do our best to put those early learning opportunities so that our children have that chance to learn about Métis history, identity.”

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SRPSD is still sorting through the details but the plan is to enhance their Kindergarten program at St. Louis and Queen Mary to offer a full-day learning opportunity, so students have additional learning support for Michif language and Métis history as part of their learning. Parents can opt-in for this or can choose to send their child in half time as it provides an extended opportunity.

“It really speaks to the important work I think we’re all doing around reconciliation in our communities in ensuring all students get the opportunity to learn about their culture, their identity within our public school system,” she added.

Director of education for the Prince Albert Catholic School Division Lorel Trumier told paNOW MN-S came to them with the opportunity to begin a Michif program. Currently, they’re exploring the program but are in the early stages of determining which of their six elementary schools will have it.

“It will be an expansion to their programming already to include language acquisition activities with Michif,” Trumier said. “So, they’ll be speaking some English, they’ll be speaking Michif, they’ll be learning new words and it will be through a play-based experience.”

“It will be more of an opportunity for them to initiate their first words in Michif and learn some of the concepts and cultural understandings of the Métis people,” she added.

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Ian.gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @iangustafson12