Recognize aboriginal languages as 'original', task force says

Saskatchewan's education system needs to put a greater emphasis on aboriginal languages to improve graduation and employment rates, a committee says in a report  released Monday.

The Joint Task Force on Improving Education and Employment Outcomes for First Nations and Métis People says too many aboriginal students are dropping out of school and are not participating in the province's booming economy.

The committee spent the past year holding meetings around the province and talking to people about ideas for turning things around.

The project was launched by the government of Saskatchewan and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.

Among its recommendations is one calling on the provincial government to recognize First Nations and Métis languages as "original languages."

It also wants to see more aboriginal languages integrated into the school curriculum, more aboriginal materials in public libraries and more "head start" type programs to help younger children learn to read.

It also calls for more study on differences in school funding for First Nations children compared to that for non-First Nations children, but it also wants some extra money spent in the meantime while the issue is being studied.