Artwork by students at Lax Kxeen Elementary, part of the school district in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Photo by Gordon Li / Twitter

Starting in September, students at public elementary schools in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, will be required to learn the language of the Tsimshian First Nations.

Sm'algyax was already taught at two schools in the district. Now it will be required for all students from kindergarten through fourth grade.

"We are on traditional Tsimshian territory and the Sm'algyax is the language of the territory," Roberta Edzerza, the Aboriginal education principal for the district, told CBC News.

Native students represent about 62 percent of the elementary school population, the Canadian Press reported.

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Prince Rupert students must learn indigenous language from September (CBC 6/11)
Elementary students in Prince Rupert to be taught the local First Nations Language (CP 6/11)