Cree professor recognized with a Saskatchewan Order of Merit
A residential school survivor from northern Saskatchewan is being acknowledged with the Saskatchewan Order of Merit for his long-time work within the Cree language revitalization.
His years of labor didn’t go unnoticed by his college students and friends.
“A pair college students and a colleague wrote letters in assist for the Saskatchewan Order of Benefit,” mentioned Solomon Ratt, who’s a Cree Language Research Affiliate Professor on the First Nations College of Canada. “It’s nice. It’s an excellent recognition.”
Ratt, who attended the residential college in Prince Albert as a baby, remembers being unable to talk his Cree language. And, like many different residential college survivors, Ratt misplaced rather a lot from the colonial establishment system. Nevertheless, his dad and mom continued to talk their Cree language when he returned dwelling through the summer time months.
“Many individuals misplaced their language within the residential faculties,” he mentioned. “However I’m one of many lucky ones that stored the language.”
Because the years went on, Ratt continued to talk his Cree language. He began instructing Cree in faculties however realized there weren’t many sources on the market for educators.
“After I began out instructing, there was hardly any supplies accessible for us academics to make use of, so I developed plenty of supplies all through the years for different individuals to make use of,” he mentioned.
That’s when he started his writing Indigenous language literature and have become concerned in constructing Cree revitalization sources utilizing on-line platforms. It was his countless work that drove others to see his profitable efforts of reclaiming his language.
“It feels good being acknowledged for the work I do,” mentioned Ratt.
The Cree revitalizer is amongst six recipients for the Saskatchewan Order of Benefit – the province’s highest honour. The ceremony will happen in November with the awards being offered by the Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor, Russ Mirasty.
“The 2021 recipients of the Saskatchewan Order of Benefit are exceptional residents who’re most deserving of this prestigious honour,” mentioned Mirasty in a media launch. “I provide my honest congratulations to every recipient and I thank them for his or her invaluable contributions to our province.”
This yr’s different recipients for the Saskatchewan Order of Benefit embody:
- Mavis Ashbourne-Palmer
- Michael Bishop
- Albert Brown
- Marie-Anne DayWalker-Pelletier
- Hart Godden
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