(Submitted photo/Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S) 

By Nicole Reis

Dene Language Early Learning Pilot Program

Ducharme Elementary School to see Dene early learning pilot program for youth this fall

Jul 6, 2020 | 5:26 PM

Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S) is introducing a Dene Early Learning Pilot Project (DELPP) along with the Northern Lights School Division at Ducharme Elementary School in La Loche this fall. The DELPP will run parallel to the Michif Early Learning Pilot Program (MELPP) announced last week.

Lisa Fleming, MN–S Director of Child and Family Services told meadowlakeNOW the unique quality of the DELPP program will be administered by eight new Dene teacher graduates of the Dene Teacher Education Program (DTEP) hired to foster the next generation of Dene Language Keepers.

“The key is if we don’t do something now then we’re not strategic and specific about what we do, we are going to be further down in terms of the number of language keepers that we have,” Fleming said. “It’s really important strategically that MN-S works with the school community and our families to support those young learners.”

The plan includes an extended school day, parent and community engagement opportunities, Dene Language Keepers providing immersion for children, and additional resources including transportation.

Leanne Gailey, principal of Ducharme School told meadowlakeNOW La Loche has a large number of adults who can speak Dene and while most children understand, only a handful can engage in a fluent discussion.

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“It’s unfortunate that our youth are not speaking fluent Dene as much as they used to,” she said. “I can count on one hand the amount of fluent Dene speakers that we have within the 500 students we do have and the ability to speak it is being lost.”

Gailey commends Mark Klein, principal of Clearwater River Dene Nation School who she says spearheaded the DTEP program as a way to preserve Dene language. DTEP saw 21 graduates this year of the very first Dene Teacher Education Program through the First Nations University of Canada.

Prekindergarten and Kindergarten children from La Loche attending Ducharme School in the fall, are eligible to register for this program. Dene Early Learning Pilot Project is open for student enrolment for the 2020-21 school year.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722