Project Information

Project Name: The Gift of Language & Culture

Theme: Improving School Effectiveness
Areas of Intervention: Language & Culture

This will be a multi-year initiative.

Specific Areas For Action (two-fold project)
1. Development of instructional language curriculum (Nursery – Grade 12)
2. Development of immersion programs (Grades N-9)

Needs addressed by this project

Both the Instructional Project and the Immersion Project will address the following needs:

General Needs: - revive the language
- reinforcing/reviving values, beliefs, culture, traditions
- enhance who we are, pride in one’s self
Specific Needs: - relevant scope and sequence
- Relevant student and teacher resources
- Development of Foundational, Curricular & Unit objectives
- Methodology (best practices)

Target Clientele: Instructional Program: Nursery – Grade 12
Immersion Program: Grades N-9

Goals
Through interaction with their peers, teachers, elders, and the community, the student will be given opportunities to develop their communication skills in our Native Language and to enhance their concept of Indigenous Knowledge.

Aims
Immersion Program
To offer a comprehensive curriculum that meets the learning needs of our children that meets or exceeds the provincial expectations. The language of instruction shall be our first language. This curriculum shall be developed from the concept that Indigenous Knowledge is the epicentre.

Instructional Program
To preserve our language by increasing the proficiency levels of our Nursery to Grade 12 students.

Foundational Objectives for the Instructional and Immersion Program
1. The student will demonstrate a prescribed proficiency in the 6 strands
2. The student will further strengthen our identity through the active use of our language
3. The student will value the importance of our First Language
4. The student will be able to participate in varied learning situations and activities
5. The student will learn through methodology that is age-appropriate, relevant, and stimulating.
6. The student will respond to the curriculum through a continuous evaluation model.

General Objectives
Develop effectiveness in classroom instruction for First Nations children by creating teaching resources relevant to their cultural background and mother tongue. We will accomplish this goal by:

1. Developing and providing high quality First Nations Language materials for the
support and continuation of a successful First Nations Language program for our schools.
2. Providing a variety of First Nations Languages and Culture resources to support the First Nations Languages and Culture programs offered in our schools.
3. Providing motivational First Nations Languages and Culture resources for our children, parents and community members.
4. Creating a good selection and variety of First Nations Languages and Culture resources for our children, parents and community members.
5. Assisting our communities and schools in the revival, retention and maintenance of our First Nations Language and Culture.
6. Develop effectiveness in classroom instruction for First Nations children by hiring First Nations Elder in residence, Cultural Coordinators, and community resource people to assist with instruction in the classrooms.
7. Provide optimal learning opportunities in First Nations Language and Culture for children, their families and other community members who are seeking a positive identity and the retention of their ancestral language at each school.
8. Develop respect and appreciation for traditional land-based learning throughout the year at a Youth Haven Culture Camp or other camps available for outdoor education.
9. Provide further assistance to the province of Saskatchewan and our country in the awakening of our First Nations languages and heritage that was passed on to us by our ancestors.

Work Plan
The work of developing curricula and materials specific to each of the First Nations will build upon the products developed by the curriculum review team as the means to promote a respectful understanding of First Nations peoples and their contributions to mankind. Therefore, any final products produced in the first four phases of the curriculum project will be placed in the First Nations Education Clearinghouse that will be established by the curriculum development team, during the final years of the project, as the means to establish the First Nations education system for the next seven generations.

Collectively, Consensus & Team Building: Due to the extensive work required to reform existing curricula and to develop First Nations specific curricula will involve hiring additional people, who have extensive knowledge of their language, culture and history after the initial year. The new curriculum developers will be oriented into the vision; goals and objectives established by the Curriculum Development Team and will work closely with the Elders and other team members from their First Nation, according to the traditional values that the project is based upon.

Parental Control & Community Development: Each of the First Nations curriculum development teams will consist of respected Elders, curriculum researchers and writers, materials developers (including computer technicians and graphic artists). This will include conducting education workshops, within each First Nations community, to establish the vision of First Nations education for the next seven generations. These workshops will be used to ensure that the goal of parental and community involvement, which is an essential component of “Indian Control of Indian Education” will finally be realized, as the guidance provided by First Nations communities will directly influence the curricula developed by each curriculum development team. In return, the First Nations community developers will share information with communities regarding the ongoing development of First Nations curricula, including sharing cutting-edge information with communities, as new ideas are developed, and piloting the new units developed in the schools.