Wolastoqey first, English second: Kehkimin launches new curriculum

This is part of a series called Ann's Eye, featuring the work of Ann Paul, a Wolastoqey content creator. You cansee more Ann's Eye pieces by clicking here.

Ann Paul thinks in English first, but she hopes the same won't be true for her granddaughter.

When Kehkimin Wolastoqey language immersion school opened in Fredericton last year, the goal was to developcurriculum at multiple levelsso students could progress in the language.

Now, three new books are doing just that. One new workbook and two storybooks are the latest learning tools for the kids at Kehkimin, located in Killarney Lodge, where Ann Paul's granddaughter goes to school everyday.

"Language is coming full circle," Ann said. "It's coming back."

She's been relearning the language herself, but when her granddaughter comes home from school and shares new words she learned that day, Ann said it awakens the language inside her.

"She's bringing out the words that have been sleeping inside of us."

The community held a book launch at Killarney Lodge to celebrate the curriculum release. Watch the video and scroll through the photos to see what Ann saw.

WATCH | See a performance of a new Wolastoqey language book:

Ann's Eye: These books will help kids learn Wolastoqey

11 months ago

Duration 3:46

Three new books will help students at Kehkimin Wolastoqey language immersion school in Fredericton not only learn the language, but also bring it home to their families.

Ann's Eye

Photographer Ann Paul brings an Indigenous lens to stories from First Nations communities across New Brunswick.Click hereor on the image below to see more of her work.