In celebration of Indigenous Languages Month, schools in the Northwest Territories (NWT) have been providing fun filled learning experiences for students.
For 脡cole St. Patrick High School (ESPHS), through the Indigenous Language and Education (ILE) team, this takes the form of a virtual meet-up, which happens on Fridays in February.
SA国际影视传媒淓ach of the three weeks has a theme and activities,SA国际影视传媒� said Amy Wilkinson, a learning centre teacher for the school. SA国际影视传媒淲e have only met once so far, but I was really happy with the positive response from staff saying that students enjoyed the activities.SA国际影视传媒�
The first week carried the theme of SA国际影视传媒淎cknowledgement,SA国际影视传媒� where the importance of the schoolSA国际影视传媒檚 land acknowledgment, prayer songs, as well as offerings and Feeding the Fire were the main focuses of learning.
SA国际影视传媒淲e played bingo as a school to practice Wiliideh Yati translations for common phrases, numbers, colours, and animals,SA国际影视传媒� said Wilkinson.
Following this, scheduled for Feb. 11, is the theme of LetSA国际影视传媒檚 Go Fishing. This is also the overall theme of this years Indigenous Languages Month, according to the Government of the Northwest Territories.
SA国际影视传媒�(WeSA国际影视传媒檒l be) learning about traditional ways of fishing in different seasons, hear the legend SA国际影视传媒楬ow the Lake Trout got the bones in its headSA国际影视传媒�, and review the T艂谋台ch谦 fish laws,SA国际影视传媒� said Wilkinson.
On top of this, students will also practice T艂谋台ch谦 translations for the various kinds of fish and fishing equipment, while also taking part in a crossword puzzle.
The third and final week of celebration for St. PatrickSA国际影视传媒檚 will focus on Living the Dene Laws, where the Dene Laws will be reviewed and applied to how they look within the walls of the school.
Other activities planned for the third week include listening to the story of SA国际影视传媒楬ow Dene Laws Came to BeSA国际影视传媒� and nominating someone for SA国际影视传媒楲iving the Dene LawsSA国际影视传媒�, which recognizes those in school who exude the spirit of Dene Laws in the school.
Through all of these teachings, Wilkinson hopes that students walk away with a greater knowledge of Indigenous languages and the impact they have in the north.
SA国际影视传媒淚 hope that our students and staff continue to be engaged in learning about Indigenous culture and languages, and that we will see increased leadership and confidence in our students who have and are participating in our language classes,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
Wilkinson also extends her gratitude towards several people for helping to bring everything together.
SA国际影视传媒淚 would like to say Mahsi Cho to the following people for all their contributions to our activities this year,SA国际影视传媒� said Wilkinson. SA国际影视传媒淭he ESPHS ILE team, Gina Williams, the Indigenous Education Coordinator of Yellowknife Catholic Schools, Tina Crapeau, of ESPHS and 脡cole Saint Joseph School, Sonja Hunt and Gina Maclean, of the WCS, (as well as) Kim Nichols, Judy Whitford, and Camilia Zoe-Chocolate, of the Indigenous Languages and Education Secretariat.SA国际影视传媒�
