Canada: FNUC undertakes revitalization of indigenous languages in Saskatchewan

The five books have been written in Cree dialects of Swampy, Woods and Plain. They have been translated and edited by FNUC faculty and alumni.

The books are targeted to children from the ages of four to eight.

These books feature phonetic pronunciation of Cree words and English translations.

Aurasma app is available to readers, teachers and parents to enable them to hear a native language speaker reading the book to ensure proper pronunciation.

Wells said this aspect was important for children first learning the language.

"For these languages that don't get heard, because there are so few speakers in some cases, you really need the oral component so you can learn how to say it correctly," Lynn Wells, the vice-president academic at FNUC, was quoted as saying by CBCNews reports.

The aim of the project was to foster a younger generation of speakers and plays at important role in the cultural revitalization called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Wells said that this was in keeping with the missions of FNUC.

"As we know, many of the Indigenous languages in the country are facing almost extinction now, so the more materials that can be out there to be used in schools really helps keep those languages alive and vital," said Wells.

Through FNUC education program, the books are being distributed into communities in the province and to local school and community libraries across Canada.

"We're putting the books in the hands of our teacher interns who are working in schools so that they can take them to kids in the community," said Wells.

FNUC is planning to work further with Prince's Charities Canada to bring more books in more languages across the province and the country.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)