Yukon Native Language Instructors:
The Struggle for Recognition

BY C.J. PETTIGREW

The history of the Native Language Programs in Yukon schools spans more than fifteen years. In that time - there has been significant progress in the pioneering of a unique oral language curriculum and an accredited native language instructor training program. The success of the school programs is due in part to the support they have received from the Yukon Government and the Council of Yukon Indians. Unfortunately, this support has not been extended to the women who work as instructors in these programs. For fifteen years they have struggled for pay, benefits, a pension plan and some job security, without significant results.

As early as 1973, a few native language courses existed in one or two classrooms. They were instructed by native elders and non-native volunteer teachers who were not paid for their work.

As early as 1973, a few native language courses existed in one or two classrooms. They were instructed by native elders and non-native volunteer teachers who were not paid for their work. There was no standard curriculum, no instructional materials, and no instructor training available. Today there are twelve Native Language Programs in the rural schools of the Yukon and three in the city of Whitehorse, with a total enrolment of almost 800 students. Yet in the midst of all this improvement and growth, the status and pay of the native language instructors has changed very little.

In 1977 the Council for Yukon Indians and the Government of Yukon established the Yukon Native Language Project (Y.N.L.P.), jointly sponsored and funded by the two agencies. Under the direction of John Ritter, the focus of the project was to develop curriculum, instructor training, and support for the native language courses that were springing up as local programs in the schools. By the summer of 1980, the Y.N.L.P. had produced the curriculum guide, Teaching Yukon Native Languages, and the first native language instructors were taking periodic training to improve their knowledge of the basics of second-language teaching, and to learn how to use the curriculum guide.


Enseigner les langues autochtones au Yukon ou la lutte pour se faire accepter

PAR C.J. PETTIGREW

Voici quinze ans que ceux et celles qui enseignent dans le cadre des Programmes des langues autochtones se battent au Yukon, et la lutte n'est pas finie. Au début des années soixante des Anciens et des bénévoles non autochtones s'acharnèrent pour que les langues autochtones du Yukon soient enseignées dans les écoles Le Conseil des Indiens du Yukon et le gouvernement du Territoire créèrent le Programme du Yukon sur les langues autochtones et en 1980, etait publié un programme-cadre à ce sujet. Toutefois, le programme etait dispensé le plus souvent par des femmes âgées ayant nombre de personnes à charge. Elles étaient mal rémunerées, ne bénéficiaient d'aucuns n'avantages sociaux, d'aucun régime de retraite et n'avaient aucune sécurité d'emploi.

En 1983, le centre des langues autochtones du Yukon était bâti et un Programme de formation (trois ans) pour les enseignants lancé. Les instructeurs et instructrices commencèrent a sentir une certaine fierté et appartenance professionnelles. Pourtant, leurs conditions de travail précaires ne changèrent pas. Après avoir vainement essayé de se fair aider par l'Association des enseignants et enseignantes du Yukon et la Public Service Alliance, ils formèrent l'Association des enseignants et enseignantes de langues autochtones du Yukon. Entre-temps, des jeunes gens, hommes et femmes, en général diplômés de l'école secondaire, s'inscrivent au programme de formation, d'où le succès continu des programmes et l'intérêt qu'ils suscitent. Certes, les instructeurs doivent encore se battre pour obtenir des conditions de travail justes, mais leur volonté de fer ne s'érodera pas de si tôt.


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