Nathan VanderKlippe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 22/02) - Students in Yellowknife public schools will have more access to aboriginal language and education training next year thanks to several initiatives taken by Yellowknife School District No. 1.

In its 2002-2003 draft budget, the board has included $162,311 for aboriginal education initiatives. Part of that will be used to hire a full-time aboriginal language teacher. The school board will also hire a half-time language and training co-ordinator.

The board also gave second reading to a policy regarding aboriginal language and culture education. As it currently stands, the policy promises aboriginal education resources to all students who so desire.

"With this policy we are going to see improved results in our aboriginal students," said trustee Marlo Bullock.

Board chair Dan Schofield was concerned, however.

Between first and second reading, the policy changed from promising aboriginal resources to students based on population to guaranteeing resources to all students.

"This change could be significant, and could have impacts on our programs and finances area," he said.

As for the money promised in the budget, board superintendent Judith Knapp said it will be used toward creating a pilot program.

"What we're hoping to do this coming year is we're organizing more of a language cultural program at Mildred Hall school. It will be probably a prototype program," said Knapp.

The board receives about $425,000 for aboriginal language and culture, money which it has received for about 10 years, said Reanna Erasmus. In the past, Yellowknife 1 has budgeted none of that money toward aboriginal initiatives.

Erasmus sits on the board's aboriginal advisory committee.

"It would have been really nice if we had a full-time co-ordinator, but a half-time is a beginning," she said. "Going from zero to $162,000, I'm pleased. We have to give the district time to catch up, and it's a good way of starting to do it."

Angela James, principal of K'alami Dene School in Ndilo, also supports the initiative.

"It's a very good idea," she said. "That window of opportunity for kids, between the ages of zero and six -- if indeed we can provide programming for our aboriginal children during those years, it would be so beneficial to them."

The Yellowknife 1 board currently uses the Dene Kede curriculum, which provides a framework for incorporating Dene principles into all education.