The first ever First Nations Provincial Spelling Bee, to be hosted by Chief Poundmaker School this spring, has attracted a total of 146 students.
The FNPSB will be held at the Don Ross Centre in North Battleford Friday, April 8. Finalists will qualify for a national spelling bee, presented by Spelling Bee of Canada in Toronto, Ont. Sunday, May 15.
In the primary age group, six to eight years old, there are 37 registered. In the junior age group, nine to 11 years, 53 are registered. There are 56 students registered in the intermediate age group, 12 to 14 years old.
Organizer Pauline Favel, a student support worker, has become the president of the Saskatchewan Region of Spelling Bee of Canada and says she is excited Spelling Bee of Canada has endorsed the FNPSB as a regional competition. Nine winners will be recognized locally and the first place winners from the bee's three categories will advance to the national spelling bee as Saskatchewan’s only representatives.
"This is a first ever for native people," says Favel.
It's an exciting initiative that promotes literacy, study skills, public speaking skills and healthy competition, she says.
The day of competition will begin with registration at 8 a.m.
Opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. will include a welcome from Favel, an opening prayer offered by Elder Sylvia Weenie, an Honour Song by Sakewew Drum Group, introductions and remarks by local dignitaries and sponsors.
Founder and executive director of Spelling Bee of Canada, Julie Spence, will be on hand to provide background on the organization. The not-for-profit grassroots organization, was established in the greater Toronto area in 1987 and aims to enrich the child and youth learning experience and engage schools and the community at large in an annual education process. To date over 50,000 children have participated in the program.
The competition begins at 9:30 a.m. Pronouncers will be Lester Favel and Tyler Cameron.
There will be a break for lunch and presentations to the category winners are to take place at 4 p.m.
The event is also expected to be the subject of a documentary by Lana Slezic, Toronto photographer/filmmaker.
Believe and Achieve is the theme of the FNPSB. Favel says the initiative will showcase the talents of First Nation youth, their abilities and their strengths and the work First Nation schools are doing to improve literacy among their students.
The competition is open to First Nation students who attend federal schools, although that may be expanded in future years. Each participant pays a registration fee of $35, which goes to Spelling Bee of Canada. That organization provides an e-manual with a list of 400 words at primary, junior and intermediate levels. A CD with the proper pronunciation of the words is also made available as is a manual for the spelling bee officials.
