Language Curriculum

Dakelh Language Curriculum recognized by the Province

Jun 19, 2023 | 3:55 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – For some, learning the same language their ancestor spoke can establish your identity, history and culture. Recently School Districts 57 and 28 built the framework for those in school wanting to learn the Dakelh language.

With only days away from National Indigenous People’s Day, a team from the Quesnel and Prince George schools districts is celebrating a language curriculum that has been in the works for years.

“ Today we are celebrating the completion and opening up of our Dakelh Ghunek, and that’s Dakelh language curriculum. It’s been welcomed by the Ministry of Education to be in the schools throughout the province. So all the way from early learning to grade 12 to teach the Dakelh Ghunek language.”

Jennifer Pighin

Prince George District 57 Vice Principal of Language, Culture and Indigenous Education

With the help of co-workers and elders, Pighin laid the groundwork to establish the curriculum to teach youth.

Maintaining or learning a language allows some people to have meaningful ways to communicate with those of the same background.

“ I think for us, it’s a great big stepping stone to the very conciliation of what we were promised. So now, to have the language being brought back, and because there are so many languages out there that are going extinct that we’re just happy to start teaching our language again in the schools. “

Arlene Horutko

Teacher, Quesnel School District 28 Language and cultural

The Dakelh Ghunek language is known to be spoken in Williams Lake North.

According to Pighin, now that the curriculum is in place, the following steps are to build on resources for teachers to teach and, eventually, move the curriculum online for everyone to learn or re-learn.

Email: Dave.Branco@pattisonmedia.com

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