I have been extremely overwhelmed recently with tasks that keep piling up and feeling like there is not enough time to finish them all. So, this week I decided to focus less on learning new signs in ASL and rather I looked at the progression of Sign language in Saskatchewan and the school systems. I came across an article published April 2024 that identifies Saskatchewan as recognizing ASL and Indigenous Sign Language as an official language! How cool!
This was a double learning factor, because I also was not aware that Indigenous Sign Language was a thing, this was my first time hearing about it.
Additionally, this article includes a video translating the article’s content by Alannah Mcleod, a Sign Support professional, which I will include here as well.
According to this article, Saskatchewan is only 1 of 4 provinces that recognize ASL and Indigenous sign language as an official language. Now I needed to do some research about what Indigenous Sign Language is…
Indigenous Sign Language
There is a lot of information on the Canadian Encyclopedia regarding this topic. Historically Indigenous cultures used different versions of sign language to communicate. Unfortunately, not many people know or use Indigenous sign language. I am hoping that it is a language that is in the works of growing. Which it does mention Indigenous communities are putting in extreme efforts to revitalize the language, as it has mainly been replaced by ASL and Quebec Sign Language.
There are variations of Indigenous sign language, and it is noted that it was used to communicate with people both hard of hearing and people with full hearing capabilities. Some variations include:
- Plains Sign Language: used primarily in Saskatchewan/ in the prairies. This was also used to narrate stories and discussions
- Plateau Sign Language: which includes Dene People and used in the Rockies regions.
- Inuit Sign Language: primarily used in the Arctic regions
As for the second curiosity I had regarding schools in Saskatchewan that offer DHH programming, it was a difficult search. Because I was struggling to find specifically programs integrated into schools that support and offer ASL in Saskatchewan, I decided to focus on Regina specifically since this is the region I teach in.
On the Regina Public School website, you can find schools that offer specific language courses, French, Cree, and Spanish. However, none of these include ASL.
My question is, if we as a province recently recognized ASL as an official language, will there be opportunities for these to be offered in schools for any students that wish to learn it?
On a side note, for anyone that is teaching in regina public, there is a document that includes all the inclusive support programs available in the school districts and where specific programs are located. Winston Knoll and Henry Janzen both facilitate these programs.
