Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this week I spoke about the need to provide more support to aboriginal languages and about the important role that language plays in maintaining aboriginal culture. Today I would like to talk about the important work the schools in Lutselk'e and Fort Resolution are doing to preserve aboriginal culture in those communities.
Mr. Speaker, in Lutselk'e, aboriginal language and culture classes are held three times a week for kindergarten to grade 9. In addition, there are two half-day classes each week for grades 5 to 9, also grades 8 to 10 students take one semester of a three-credit aboriginal language course. Mr. Speaker, classes regularly go out on the land throughout the school year. Depending on the season, they will go hunting, trapping, fishing and camping. On top of all this, Mr. Speaker, the school has a daily program of prayer and song in the Chipewyan language. Periodically, classes are held to do traditional craftwork, and preparation and cooking of traditional foods.
I would like to take this opportunity to applaud the hard work of the dedicated staff at the Lutselk'e Dene School for their important work in preserving aboriginal culture in Lutselk'e.
Mr. Speaker, in Fort Resolution, the Deninu School is also delivering a vibrant aboriginal language and culture program. They have a daily program of elders coming into the school to talk to the students. Also, on a regular basis, a variety of demonstration workshops are done in skinning, beading, sewing and traditional food preparation, as well as periodic aboriginal culture theme day using print, audio and visual resource materials. In addition to all this, Mr. Speaker, the school has a monthly cultural program that includes activities such as going out on a moose hunt, fish net setting, drumming lessons, moosehide tanning, canoe trips and Dene games.
Again, I would like to take this opportunity to applaud the hard work of the dedicated staff at the Deninu School for their important work in promoting and preserving aboriginal culture in Fort Resolution.
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier this week, there is no shortage of dedicated volunteers, elders and professionals that are committed to preserving aboriginal language and culture in the Tu Nedhe riding. Thank you.
