Nakoda language courses will be offered at the 10, 20 and 30 levels at Saskatchewan schools starting in the 2021-22 school year.
The Nakoda curriculum is in addition to other Indigenous language courses 鈥� Cree (n膿hiyaw膿win), Nakawe, Dene and Michif 鈥� already available. 听
鈥淲e recognize that incorporating Indigenous languages, cultures and perspectives is essential to the engagement and success of all students in understanding our country鈥檚 history,鈥� said Education Minister Dustin Duncan.
According to a government press release, this new curriculum aligns with the听听and the听, which identify the importance of Indigenous languages and the significant role they play in preserving cultural traditions, knowledge and history. 听
The Nakoda curriculum was developed by Cegakin Nakoda Nation, also known as Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation, and was previously offered as a locally developed course. The course has been developed with linguistic experts and knowledge keepers engaged by the First Nation, the press release states.
鈥淭he curriculum is literally a dream come true,鈥� Cegakin Nation鈥檚 Nakoda Oyade Education Centre high school teacher听Chad O'Watch said. 鈥淭he Nakoda language is in such a dangerous state. We鈥檙e on the verge of not having a Nakoda language anymore.听We believe as First Nations people that the language is inside of us, that it鈥檚 sleeping. Teaching the language will help awaken that language in all of us.鈥�
鈥淩esidential schools took away a lot, not only our language but our teachings from our elders,鈥滳egakin Nation elder Clyde O'Watch said.听
鈥淲hen you take any language and try to interpret it into English, we lose a whole lot of meaning. So when we pray 鈥� the Creator, we say Ade虂 Waka台虂ta台ga 鈥� but when we translate, we lose a whole lot of meaning to that. Our language is so important to us.鈥� 听
Nakoda is the traditional language of the Nakoda people, who are represented in Saskatchewan within Treaty 2, Treaty 4 and Treaty 6, including the First Nations of Carry the Kettle, Ocean Man, Pheasant Rump, White Bear, Mosquito, Grizzly Bear鈥檚 Head and Lean Man.
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