After starting in 2021, the Prince Albert Catholic School Division’s Michif language program is expanding to a second classroom in St. Michael Community School.
The division recently received confirmation that they have been approved for $150,000 in funding for the next school year. This is part of the Michif Early Learning Pilot Project (MELPP) that began in partnership with Metis Nation-Saskatchewan.
PA Catholic Education Director Lorel Trumier said rising demand necessitated the need for a second classroom, but she said it’s a good problem to have.
“I think it shows that there are many in the community who would like to have their children have that cultural learning experience for Michif language and the early learning pilot is a great place for that to occur,” PA Catholic Director of Education Lorel Trumier said.
“We have dynamite teachers who really put their efforts into this, and so it’s going to be another very successful year.”
The project offers a full-time Kindergarten program that includes Michif language programming. Metis children have priority access to the program. The program employs a language knowledge keeper to support language development.
Students attend full day classes on Monday to Thursday at St. Michael.
The MN-S announced the expansion to the early learning language pilot projects in 2021.
The language has less than 700 fluent speakers in Canada. According to MN-S both the MELPP and the sister project the Dene Early Learning Pilot Project (DELPP) are significant and unprecedented steps in preserving Métis culture. The pilot was originally announced in
September 2020.
In the province there are currently over 130 Kindergarten and Pre-K students learning both Michif and Dene.
Trustee Chrissy Halliday observed during the meeting that she had heard demand from parents at St. Michael for Michif language instruction.
Michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
