By rdnewsNOW Staff

$288,000 Over Two Years

Red Deer Catholic receives two-year Indigenous Languages Component grant

Mar 6, 2022 | 3:11 PM

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) has announced the acquisition of a two-year Indigenous Languages grant through the Department of Canadian Heritage, and will receive $288,000 over the duration of the next two years.

Officials say the Indigenous Education Services Department at RDCRS will use the grant for their Honouring Indigenous Languages Project, which aims to introduce students to Indigenous languages local to the Division’s treaty area, surrounding all 20 schools within Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.

Over the next two years, RDCRS will deliver audio and visual activity classes in Michif, Blackfoot and Cree language and song activities, Cree writing and sighting language instruction, as well as Indigenous languages professional development classes.

RDCRS will also have cultural language instructors work alongside Elders and knowledge keepers to build a deeper understanding and knowledge of Indigenous languages.

“Our Division recognizes that language is the root of learning about the culture, and understands that it is essential to bring Indigenous languages to RDCRS’ students to revitalize language and help students further explore their culture. Our hope is that this project will help students see language as a pathway to their culture and help to keep culture and values alive,” said Associate Superintendent of Curriculum, Ryan Sawula at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.

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A key expected outcome of this project, according to officials, is that Indigenous students and their families will have increased opportunities to engage in activities that strengthen Indigenous languages, while embracing and sharing their languages with other Canadians.

RDCRS acknowledges the Government of Canada’s support for the project through the Department of Canadian Heritage.