There are three Broad Areas of Learning that reflect Saskatchewan's Goals of Education. The nēhiyaw curricula contribute to the Goals of Education by helping students achieve knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to these Broad Areas of Learning.
Lifelong Learners
Students who are engaged in constructing and applying the nēhiyaw language and knowledge naturally build a positive disposition towards learning. Throughout their study of nēhiyawewin, students will be learning the skills, strategies and develop the attitudes that will enable the successful use of nēhiyawēwin through their own discourse. Moreover, students will be developing understandings of the nēhiyawēwin language that will enable the learning of new nēhiyawēwin words and phrases and applications that are encountered within both career and personal interest choices. Students who successfully complete their study of nēhiyawewin.
nēhiyawēwin words and phrases and applications that are encountered within both career and personal interest choices. Students who successfully complete their study of nēhiyawēwin 10, 20, 30 will feel confident about their nēhiyaw language abilities and will develop appropriate understanding necessary to make future use of the nēhiyawēwin language that is meaningful and attainable. The nēhiyaw language contributes to this Broad Area of Learning, through students actively learning the nēhiyaw content embedded in the outcomes through using and developing the nēhiyaw language.
Sense of Self, Community and Place
To learn the nēhiyaw language for deep understanding, students need to not only interact with the nēhiyawewin content but with one other as well as their environment. nēhiyaw language needs to be taught in a dynamic environment where students work together to share and evaluate strategies and understandings. Students who are involved in a supportive nēhiyawēwin environment that is rich in dialogue are exposed to a wide variety of perspectives and strategies from which to construct a sense of the nēhiyaw language. In such an environment, students also learn and come to value how they as individuals and as members of a group or community can contribute to understanding and social well-being through a sense of accomplishment, confidence, and relevance. When encouraged to present ideas that represent different perspectives and ways of knowing, students will develop a deeper understanding of the nēhiyaw language. At the same time students also learn to respect and value the contributions of others. The nēhiyawēwin curriculum will provide many opportunities for students to enter into communities beyond the classroom walls by engaging with people in the neighbourhood or around the province by working towards developing a deeper understanding of the nēhiyaw language and its role in the community. Students will necessarily develop their personal and social identity, and learn healthy and positive ways of interacting and working together with others.
Engaged Citizens
The nēhiyaw language brings a unique perspective and way of knowing to the analysis of social impact and interdependence. Learning the nēhiyaw language requires students to engage in different situations for the purpose of understanding what is really happening and what can be done. Analysis of topics that interest students such as trends in global warming, homelessness, health issues (oil spills, hearing loss, and diabetes), residential schools, treaties, and racism can be used to engage the students in interacting and contributing positively to their classroom, school, and community. With the understandings that students can derive through this analysis, they become better informed and have a greater respect for and understanding of the different opinions and options. With these understandings, students can then make better informed and more personalized decisions regarding roles and contributions to the various communities in which students are members.