SASKATCHEWAN INDIGENOUS CULTURAL CENTRE
LANGUAGE KEEPERS VIRTUAL WORKSHOP
MARCH 25, 2022
CREE TEACHERS SESSION
The SICC hosted an initial online gathering in support of Indigenous language teachers with a focus on Plains Cree. It was held on Zoom on March 25, 2022 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. We had a great and meaningful discussion with Cree language teachers who shared their issues, concerns and insights. We were joined by Solomon Ratt of the First Nations University of Canada who shared his insights from his many years of teaching. Nearly all the approximately twenty participants were Cree language instructors from on-reserve schools and urban schools.
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We appreciate that not all Cree teachers who wanted to attend were able to join the event live. Please email us a request for access to the recording of the event.
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The SICC is distributing a follow-up survey to the participants of the workshop. This survey has some the questions we talked about at the workshop which allows participants to add any further thoughts to discussion we had. In addition, the survey asks participants to share links to Cree language resources and any advice or suggestions they may have for their follow teachers. We will be sharing these as we receive them.
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There were a number of references made to online resources by participants and by our presenter. Solomon Ratt mentioned the itwēwina Plains Cree Dictionary which can be found at:
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Sylvia Weenie mentioned the Book Creator website:
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Next Session
We will host a follow-up Cree teachers workshop in early June of 2022. We look forward to seeing you then. We will send out more details as the next workshop approaches.
TENTATIVE AGENDA
10:30 am - 10:15 am
Welcome and Opening Prayer
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10:15 am - 11:30 am:
Curriculum Content and Standards
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11:30 am - 12:30 pm:
Roundtable Discussion
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12:30 pm - 1:00 pm:
Lunch Break
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1:00 pm - 2:00 pm:
Solomon Ratt Presentation
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2:00 pm - 3:00 pm:
Language and Land-Based Education
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3:00 pm - 3:30 pm:
Closing Remarks and Thank-You Prayer
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The Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre is providing coordination for this inaugural event. This workshop is part of a series of workshops being held by the Cultural Centre for all the Indigenous languages of Saskatchewan. Please register down below.
SOLOMON
RATT
Solomon Ratt was born in a trapper's cabin along the banks of the Churchill River. He went to Residential School in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He attended the University of Regina, graduating with two Bachelor of Arts degrees and a Masters of Arts. He has been teaching the Y-dialect of Cree at First Nations University of Canada (formerly Saskatchewan Indian Federated College) since 1986.