YORKTON - A Michif Early Learning Program (MELP) is being offered at Columbia School.
“We currently have 10 students registered in the program. five that have self-declared as Métis, four as First Nation, and one as ‘other’,” explained instructor Alyssa Pelletier of the program now it its second year. “Because this is an early learning program, we accept students who are three or four years of age.”
The program has been developed by the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, noted Pelletier.
“We receive valuable support from MN-S, Elders, Old Ones, Language Keepers and are fully supported by the admin team at Columbia School as well as GSSD,” she said.
So, what is the overarching goal of the program?
“This program focuses on developing a stronger sense of identity through the exploration of Métis cultural knowledge and will introduce early learners to the Michif language,” said Pelletier. “Students will experience cultural teachings from a Métis perspective, learn in a play-based environment, and have the opportunity to connect with and learn from Métis Elders/Old Ones and Michif language speakers.”
That said Pelletier also noted, “the program is not taught entirely in Michif.” But it is a focus for her as instructor.
“I am a language learner myself. It is my goal in the program for students to be able to verbally express words or phrases in Michif, as well as have the ability to be receptive and respond in a way that shows understanding and comprehension while being spoken to in Michif.”
The program though is about the broader Michif culture than just language.
“I have designed our classroom to include as many authentic Métis elements as possible,” Pelletier told Yorkton This Week. “We have materials, toys, invitations that all focus on the Métis culture.
“Along with classroom resources I host monthly family engagement and community engagement events that are focused on cultural activities such as tea and bannock evenings, a family feast, a ribbon skirt workshop, end of the year Sashing Ceremony, and a Red River Cart demonstration.
“Most recently, I partnered with Dr. Brass teachers, Darcy and Melissa, to create our biggest event, the Métis Day Celebration which was open to all schools in the GSSD. It was a day that was immersed with the Métis culture, from playing traditional games, Michif language bingo games, demonstrations on jigging, trapping, skinning, pemmican and maple syrup, to activities like finger weaving, bannock on a stick, and tasting traditional Métis food like Bullet soup and bannock.”
And elders play an important role in the program too.
“Elders definitely play a role in the success of the program,” said Pelletier. “I have a language keeper who comes into the classroom regularly to help with language revitalization.
“I also have different elders who come into the classroom to offer their expertise in cultural activities. Some come to teach us how to make bullet soup and bannock, others come to teach us how to bead or just to share stories of the past.”
Although there are 17 programs across Saskatchewan, the Good Spirit School Division is the only division in Yorkton that offers the program.
The local program runs a full school year, from September to June. Like a kindergarten program, students attend a full day of school, from 9-3, every second day.
