April 8, 2011 - Beginning this fall, the South Slave region will offer the Aboriginal Language and Culture Instructor Program (ALCIP) on the K’atlodeeche First Nation Reserve.

“It is our goal, under the Northwest Territories Strategy for Teacher Education, to increase the number of Aboriginal language teachers in all regions of the NWT,” said Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), Jackson Lafferty. “Community-based programs require strong partnerships, and the support of Chief Roy Fabian and his Council, along with the South Slave Divisional Education Council and their staff, will ensure this program’s success.”

ECE is providing $300,000 to Aurora College to cover community-based program expenses. The College plans to deliver the program in partnership with the K’atlodeeche First Nation and the South Slave Divisional Education Council.

Aboriginal Language Specialists are an important part of the continued revitalization of the Northwest Territories’ Aboriginal languages. Graduates of this program are eligible for certification to teach the South Slavey language and culture from kindergarten to grade 12 in NWT schools.

In 2007, the two-year ALCIP Diploma program emerged for the first time in Behchoko, with promising results. The development of an Inuvik-based program is also underway.

Increasing the number of skilled Aboriginal Language Specialists in NWT schools helps meet ECE’s goals for the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative, as well as the Department’s Northwest Territories Aboriginal Language Plan – A Shared Responsibility.

For more information, contact:

Ashley Green
Officer, Public Affairs
Education, Culture and Employment
Phone: (867) 920-3059
Email: ashley_green@gov.nt.ca