Province announces funding for northern Indigenous language programs – Prince Albert Daily Herald

March 14, 2024

The provincial government announced $108,800 in funding for the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) on Monday.

The funds will be used to provide new Indigenous Teacher Education Programs. The list includes a new Dene Teacher Education Program in Hatchet Lake Dene Nation, and a Cree Teacher Education Program in Waterhen Lake First Nation. Both programs will be delivered by FNUC in partnership with the University of Regina.

Dene Teacher Education Program student Bernadette Besskkaystare welcomes the news. She said it will help students who want to further their education while remaining close to home.

“This is a great opportunity because we can take classes here in our community instead of leaving and be less stressed when we are here with our families,” Besskkaystare said in a press release. “It is important that we keep our Denesuline language alive because there are many young people who cannot speak it. This teaching program will make a big difference in a few years for the community.”

Last academic year, 216 students enrolled in seven Indigenous Teacher Education Programs across Northern Saskatchewan. The province says that’s a 40 per cent increase over the year before.

Read More: https://paherald.sk.ca/province-announces-funding-for-northern-indigenous-language-programs/