There are three Broad Areas of Learning that reflect Saskatchewan's Goals of Education. The Dene 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 Dene knowledge naturally build a positive disposition towards learning. Throughout their study of Dene language and culture, students will be learning the skills, strategies and develop the attitudes that will enable the successful use of Dene through their own discourse. Moreover, students will be developing understandings of the Dene language and culture that will enable the learning of new Dene words and phrases and applications that are encountered within both career and personal interest choices. Students who successfully complete their study of Dene 10, 20, 30 will feel confident about their Dene language abilities and will develop appropriate understanding necessary to make future use of the Dene language that is meaningful and attainable. The Dene language contributes to this Broad Area of Learning, through students actively learning the Dene content embedded in the outcomes through using and developing the Dene language.
Sense of Self, Community and Place
To learn the Dene language for deep understanding, students need to not only interact with the Dene content but with one another as well as their environment. Dene 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 Dene environment that is rich in dialogue are exposed to a wide variety of perspectives and strategies from which to construct a sense of the Dene 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 Dene language. At the same time students also learn to respect and value the contributions of others. The Dene 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 Dene 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 Dene language brings a unique perspective and way of knowing to the analysis of social impact and interdependence. Learning the Dene 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.