MÉTIS CULTURAL PROGRAM Westmount Community School PHONE: 306.683.7490 EMAIL: WestmountSchool@spsd.sk.ca WEB: www.saskatoonpublicschools.ca/Metis
MÉTIS CULTURAL PROGRAM ADVANTAGE
The Métis Cultural Program has been created to preserve, strengthen and transmit Métis culture and traditions in Saskatchewan. The program includes all Westmount students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 and is delivered exclusively from a Métis perspective. The program draws on the Language Arts, Fine Arts, Health and Social Studies curricular outcomes and encompasses the Michif language. The heart of the program is to enrich student education with authentic learning experiences within a Métis world view. The learning occurs within the Métis Cultural classroom, collaborative team teaching, and is integrated into all classrooms throughout the school and community. During the school year students are engaged in enriching their Language Arts, Fine Arts, Health and Social Studies skills from a Métis perspective. This is done by building culturally relevant leadership skills, transferring knowledge between generations and participating in experiential learning opportunities. The program is supported by three staff members: Chandrelle Micklewright, a SUNTEP graduate and Métis classroom teacher; Faye Maurice, a Traditional Knowledge Keeper; and Robert Doucette, a Métis Cultural Mentor. Partnerships and support from the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI), Central Urban Métis Federation Incorporated (CUMFI), Saskatoon Public Schools First Nations Inuit – and Métis Education Unit and the Okicı yapi Partnership are essential to the success of the Métis Cultural Program.
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HIGHLIGHTS • The first program of its kind in Saskatchewan • Home to a performance jigging troupe • Offers Michif language instruction • Program, staff & community were highlighted in the recently published book series—Taanshi Books— published at GDI • The Sweetheart Dance hosted in partnership between the school, SCC & Westmount Community Association is held annually in February as a celebration of song and dance. It is the highlight of the community for our families • Métis Day, an annual celebration of learning in June