Released on April 7, 2016
The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to sponsor the first-ever First Nations Provincial Spelling Bee taking place Friday, April 8 in North Battleford’s Don Ross Centre.Chief Poundmaker School is host of the event which is expected to draw approximately 140 students from 20 Saskatchewan First Nations schools.
“The theme of this literacy event is Believe and Achieve which speaks to the aspirations and dreams of these young Aboriginal students, their teachers and proud families,” Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter said. “Organizer Pauline Favel and her team have worked tirelessly to make this event successful.”
Favel described the event as an exciting initiative that empowers students to challenge themselves.
“It’s not just spelling but includes other benefits such as promoting literacy, expanding vocabulary, and enhancing study skills,” Favel said. “It will show that our First Nations students are more than capable of competing at an academic event at the provincial level.”
The First Nations Provincial Spelling bee has three categories of competition – primary for ages six to eight, junior for 9 to 11, and intermediate for 12 to 14. First-place finishers in each category will go on to the Spelling Bee of Canada national event in Toronto May 15.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2709
Email: robert.ellis@gov.sk.ca
Pauline Favel
Chief Poundmaker School
Phone: 306-480-6392