Tag Archives: language nest

Module 4: Post 5: Cree Curriculum

This link will open a PDF document that is a resource produced by Cree elders, and educators and published by AlbertaEducation.ca for teaching Cree culture and language. This document is geared towards Cree people who are interested in revitalizing their language through language nests, immersion schools, or language centers.  This document provides a lot of background knowledge on how to implement a successful language program.  It provides activities, lessons and evaluations.  This is a useful document because the Provincial Government helped to cooperate with Cree elders and community members in the making of this resource.  It shows support for the language revitalization efforts and helps to create a guideline for success using a Cree approach.

http://education.alberta.ca/media/659383/creekto3gi.pdf

Module 3: Post 4: Tansi TV

Tansi means hello in the Cree language.  This website is an interactive online educational resource for teaching children the Cree language.  The website has a TV program connecting the adventures of the main characters with Cree culture and learning words.  It also has sing along videos and dancing.  There are also modules that teach basic Cree words and continues to build upon the vocabulary.  There are also resources for educational extension activities.

I think this website will help young children become interested in learning the Cree language.  Media is often broadcasted in dominant languages.  In having media programs in Indigenous languages young children are not only exposed to the language but learn the Indigenous values

http://www.tansi.tv/

Module 3: Post 2: Language Nest

Apihtaikosisan is a website created by a Metis woman who comes from a Plains Cree speaking community but is currently located in an urban setting.  She is a qualified teacher and has experiences teaching in Native communities in the North West Territories.  Her passion is language revitalization.  In her website, she has a blog, a hall of shame which shows images that currently misrepresent Indigenous peoples, and shares educational resources and Indigenous art.  She has started her own language nest.  A language nest is usually a school or pre-school where children are immersed in their Indigenous language and learn traditional crafts.  In creating her school, she followed 5 rules : “Rule 1: Never ask permission, never beg to save the language. Go ahead and get started, don’t wait even five minutes. Don’t wait for a grant. Rule 2: Don’t debate the issues. Rule 3: Be very action-oriented: just act. Rule 4: Show, don’t tell. Don’t talk about what you will do. Do it and show it.”

It is inspiring reading about a woman who is very passionate about saving her culture and language.  Through the Internet, I think it is easier for Indigenous leaders and followers to connect and make a change in revitalizing and evolving their culture.

http://apihtawikosisan.com/