June 23, 2020 – Saskatoon, SK – Michif is an endangered language, only about 640 people in Canada speak Michif according to the 2016 census data. Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S) is working hard to ensure it lives on and that the number of speakers increases.

As part of those efforts, MN-S Ministry of Education is partnering with five school divisions in three communities in a Michif Early Learning Pilot Project (MELPP). This program will offer Michif language immersion to students starting this fall. Select schools in Regina, Saskatoon and Ile-a-la-Crosse school divisions are participating. MN–S is also working to develop a Dene Early Learning Pilot Project with Northern Lights School Division in La Loche, and plans to support Dene language development for early learners.

The full media release is available here.