Cree class with only one student continues at UManitoba

A Cree instructor at the University of Manitoba is teaching an intermediate Cree class this semester with a single student in it. The class was nearly cancelled due to low enrolment, but instructor Ken Paupanekis insisted that it continue to be offered even though he would not be paid the full amount for the course. “It’s hard enough to get people to go beyond and be instructors of the language,” said Paupanekis. “That’s one of the reasons why I’m still here.” Student Samuel Robinson shared that he was inspired to take the class by his interest in teaching the language. Robinson is now in the second part of Paupanekis’s intermediate class and says there are advantages to being the only student in the class. “I would reach out to Ken when I needed to, if I didn’t really understand something,” said Robinson.