Confed Park's Cree program recognized with Indspire Award
- EFN Staff | December 16, 2016
The Nehiyawiwin Cree Language & Culture Program at Confederation Park Community School in Saskatoon was honoured recently with an Indspire Award at the Indspire National Gathering for Indigenous Education. The award provides meaningful recognition to Confederation Park School for bringing Indigenous knowledge and teachings to students.
The Nehiyawiwin Cree Language & Culture Program began in 2005 through a partnership between the Central Urban Metis Federation Inc., the Saskatoon Tribal Council, and Saskatoon Public Schools. The program extends from pre-kindergarten through to grade five and offers bilingual and bicultural teachings that include Cree language, cultural protocols, and involvement in feasts, ceremonies, powwows and round dances. Approximately 85% of the student population in the program are of First Nations or Metis heritage.
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Wally Awasis has spent the last five years as the Cultural Teacher at the Nehiyawiwin program. “Culture is embedded in language. Without language, kids miss out on the teachings of our culture – things get lost in translation.”
Wally utilizes the Culture Room to engage his students in a variety of ways. Tipi teachings are one form of learning that is useful not only to educate students about things like numbers and words, but also to instill values such as listening skills, respect, and hospitality. “I teach the kids about staying present, that this is a skill. Good listening skills are a way to show respect.” Drumming and dancing groups are another great tool for teaching language and culture. “Using the same principle as nursery rhymes, singing helps kids learn language, and legends.” It also helps to build confidence. “We go around and do performances which helps build the kid’s self-esteem. Other schools really admire what we are doing.”
This year, Wally suggests that “the reconciliation process is looking for ways to give culture back to Aboriginal people,” he sees this as a good step forward for the “government to be more relaxed about releasing funds for programs like this.”
Looking forward, a big aspiration would be for Nehiyawiwin to have a school of its own. “We are busting at the seams,” says Wally. The program has continued to grow in size, extending to grades seven and eight this year. “Each year we add a new teacher, but we lack funding so we are stretching our reach to include the higher grades.” Wally believes that this program is important to all schools. “If you understand about us, you will appreciate us more. We need to train people how to do this in more schools. Although we have done a lot, we can do more.”