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First-ever Aboriginal spelling bee creates buzz for academics

Apr 8, 2016 | 5:08 PM

The Aboriginal Provincial Spelling Bee aims to break barriers and open doors for students in the province.

The bee was held today at the Don Ross Centre in North Battleford. Not only is this the first provincial all-First Nations spelling bee to take place in the country, but it’s the first time a team of all aboriginal students will be sent to Nationals.

“We noticed that for First Nations there is a great support for students in athletics. This is the first time we’re focusing on academics. So for all the kids that aren’t into sports but are very academic, we are trying to shift the focus to them,” Favel said.

Favel believes that this is more than just a spelling bee. She feels the event gives students more confidence and helps them with public speaking, as well as reading and writing skills.

 “We did a tribal bee in September and wanted to go to the next step. We wanted to take our kids to Nationals,” Pauline Favel, President of the Saskatchewan region for the Spelling Bee of Canada said.

Favel spoke with Anita Johnson, Principle of Chief Little Pine School, who suggested inviting all First Nations schools in Saskatchewan in order to send the best spellers to Nationals.

“We never imagined what the response would be like in September. It’s over whelming,” Favel said. “We are glad we didn’t get 200 to 300 kids because that would have been beyond over whelming.”

Roughly 140 students participated in the spelling bee and Favel expects the number to double next year.

The Chief Poundmaker School plans on hosting the spelling bee out of the Don Ross Centre in North Battleford for the next few years until it becomes stable according to Favel. After that if other schools would like to host they will be given a chance.

 

ghiggins@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @realgreghiggins