Native languages taught to undo cultural damage (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Native languages taught to undo cultural damage

By AMANDA ROBINSON, SUN MEDIA
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/CityandRegion/2007/08/29/4454517-sun.html

The N'Amerind Friendship Centre in London is turning to language to undo the
damage done to aboriginals by residential schools.

For the first time, Oneida and Ojibway languages will be offered to students
attending Wiingashk secondary school at the centre this school year.

"We've provided languages before (to the community), but not in the school.
It will be the first time it will be accredited," said Chester Langille,
executive director of the Colborne Street centre.

"Education played a direct role in the depletion of (native) language and it
should play an instrumental role in establishing them, particularly because
so much of a child's life is spent in the education system," Langille said.

Residential schools were schools for aboriginal children operated in the
last century by churches. Native children were stripped of their language
and culture at the schools and many were sexually abused.

Wiingashk, an alternative school for at-risk aboriginal students, has spaces
for 15 students. There is currently a waiting list.

Across Canada, 50 per cent of aboriginal students drop out of high school.

That's because mainstream education fails to meet and understand aboriginal
students' needs, Langille said.

He identified three key reasons that cause aboriginal youth to leave school:

- The curriculum lacks cultural relevance. "Instead of learning about their
own history they learn European history, and instead of learning their own
language, they learn French," he said.

- Native students move around more than other students and this affects
their social environment and their academic performance.

- Aboriginal students face many issues outside school, including, poverty,
addiction and abuse, which take priority over academics.

Also new at the centre will be a Culture Camp, which will run the first week
of October. Its aim is to to help students learn life skills to connect to
their culture and community.

The camp itinerary includes students receiving their spirit names, clan
names or clan colours, along with learning songs and building a sweat
lodge, Langille said.

"(The camp) will have a significant impact on the kids because they will
learn what their (spirit) name is for the first time and that's something
they should be learning as children," Langille said.

"If students have a high sense of self-worth and self-esteem they will excel
in academics."

Other initiatives being introduced by the N'Amerind centre for the coming
school year:

- An aboriginal-focused Best Start program should be implemented by April
2008. Best Start is a government program that focuses on early learning and
healthy child development. Through the program, aboriginal children up to
five years old will be introduced to their culture and languages. They'll
also participate in adoption and naming ceremonies and receive their
colours, clan and spirit names. School-age children will be able to access
before-school and after-school programs at Best Start.

- Talks are ongoing with the Thames Valley District School Board about a
full-fledged cultural immersion school for native students that could start
in September 2009.