In Vern Lewis’ classroom at Frog Lake First Nation, students are encouraged to use their cellphones, a practice not commonly seen in other schools in Alberta. Lewis, the teacher, allows this unique approach to integrate technology into learning Cree, a local Indigenous language. Situated in east-central Alberta, Frog Lake First Nation stands about 30 kilometers west of the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. The innovative use of cellphones in the classroom aims to help students reconnect with their cultural roots rather than engage in social media distractions.
Unlike a typical free period, Lewis’ class focuses on utilizing technology to preserve tradition by teaching students how to speak Cree. The teacher developed a smartphone application named “How do I say this in Cree” to facilitate this learning process. Through this app, students can access common English phrases and record themselves speaking them in Cree, enabling easy playback for practice. Grade 10 student Gabriel Morris, initially hesitant about the concept, has become an active user of the app, contributing new phrases and recordings to enhance his language skills.
Lewis, drawing on his computer science background, created a database for the app with English phrases translated into Cree. The interactive platform not only aids individual learning but also fosters community engagement by allowing users to listen to and learn from each other’s recordings. Morris, along with his family, views learning Cree as a vital step in preserving their cultural heritage. He emphasizes the importance of language retention in maintaining Cree culture and identity.
The app’s success in engaging students has inspired Lewis to envision its expansion to other First Nations schools in Alberta and beyond. He aims to make the app accessible to non-Indigenous users interested in learning Cree as well. By bridging the gap between technology and tradition, Lewis hopes to empower youth to embrace and sustain the Cree language. The app’s impact extends beyond students, with staff and parents at Tustukeeskaws High School also benefiting from its language-learning capabilities.
Through innovative initiatives like Lewis’ app, the spirit of spoken Cree is being upheld and shared across generations. Lewis envisions a future where technology plays a pivotal role in language preservation and cultural continuity, fostering a sense of pride and connection to Indigenous heritage.