When a language isn’t spoken, it can fade away along with the culture and traditions of its speakers.
Metis Nation – Saskatchewan doesn’t want that to happen, so it is introducing a Dene Early Learning Pilot Project with the Northern Lights School Division at Ducharme School in La Loche next month.
MN-S Early Learning and Child Care Director, Lisa Fleming, says it’s for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students and the goal is getting younger children to use the language.
What the MN-S has heard from the community is that there are many Dene speakers, but the language isn’t being used actively by children.
The education addresses both language and Metis culture.
Fleming says students with a strong cultural identity often have more academic success.
The MN-S also has a Michif language immersion program for select schools in Regina, Saskatoon and Ile-a-la-Cross.