Métis primer books in Michif and English released
- EFN Staff | December 19, 2014
The Gabriel Dumont Institute has just released an early reading program that includes three sets of nine children’s books, all relating to Métis culture. The translated version will also include an audio CD with narration tracks for each book, which will allow readers to practise their pronunciation. The narration as provided by Michif master Norman Fleury.
The books were released at an event at Westmount Community School in Saskatoon that included a reading of some of the books and a performance from John and Vicki Arcand and some jigging by the children. Several students from Westmount and a couple other schools acted as models for the photographs in the books and they were on hand to receive gifts and be thanked for their participation.
The books were written by Angie Caron and Wilfred Burton and are for the emerging reader. “It has been an exciting adventure creating these books,” said author Angie Caron who is also a teacher in the Saskatoon Public system. “These books fill a niche in the Métis community and it is great to have content in the early years.”
The Gabriel Dumont Institute will produce 1,000 copies of each set—a total of 27,000 books and 3,000 CDs—which will be distributed to libraries, homes and schools across Saskatchewan. The Government of Canada is providing $59,700 in funding to the Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research to translate 27 books of its early reading program into Michif-language editions with English translations.
“We would like to thank Canadian Heritage for its support of this educational resource,” said Geordy McCaffrey, Executive Director, Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research. “These books will help us transfer knowledge of the Michif language, which is key to ensuring it remains alive for today’s Métis and for our future generations.”
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