The first ever graduates of the Indigenous Language Certificate in Curriculum Studies show off their moccasins. Photo provided by the U of S.
An Indigenous language instructor at the University of Saskatchewan says there is a need to provide better support for language teachers in the province.
That’s why when Kevin Lewis saw an opportunity to do that, he jumped at the chance. Lewis instructs a new program called Indigenous Language Certificate in Curriculum Studies at the university, which is specifically for Indigenous language teachers. It’s a program he designed.
“There was definitely a need for it,” said Lewis. “They were burning out our Cree teachers because they would be jumping from classroom to classroom every day, but now we are teaching these teachers to be a little more effective with their methods.”
The program saw 13 of their first mostly Indigenous graduates accept their certificates at the university’s fall convocation. The teachers met every two weeks over the past two years to complete the course.
Never once did Lewis say he doubted the commitment level of the teachers in the program.
“They were 100 per cent committed to revitalizing the language, so it was really easy,” he said. “They wanted to learn, and all I had to do was teach them a few things and they took it from there.”
Lewis is originally from Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation. He recently received his PhD in language programming. Lewis says he design the program to focus on Cree, but its application can be broadened to include all Indigenous languages.
“We starting out focusing on the Cree language, but I believe these methods work for other languages, even Michif, Dene and all the Saskatchewan languages,” he said. “So that was the goal to start with Cree and dive into the other languages.”
The program had teachers from Saskatoon, North Battleford and northern Saskatchewan.
Lewis says a second cohort of teachers has already begun the second installment of the program.