Anishinaabemodaa initiative forging ahead
Posted on 04/20/2021
Rainy River District School Board, Seven Generations Education
Institute, and SayITFirst partnered to implement the Ojibwe
Language Strategy Anishinaabemodaa in 2017, with the main goal
of helping to awaken the language that has seen fewer and fewer
speakers over time. Now in 2021, the Ojibwe Language Strategy
continues to forge ahead with clear evidence that
Anishinaabemowin is being taken back by the Anishinaabe
people.
Through Anishinaabemodaa, many educational resources have
been developed, including books, videos, songs, and games, to
help build Anishinaabemowin knowledge and fluency. As of this
month, three free learning apps have been also created and
released for use to improve vocabulary and communication. In
addition, a Mentor-Learner program recently began with four
students working in the Anishinaabemowin language for 15 hours
per week. To become comfortable in the language, a learner
needs to commit to 20 hours per week for three years.
The Anishinaabemodaa initiative is a two-pronged approach,
designed to provide Indigenous language teachers with
programming and materials, at the same time as increasing the
numbers of students beginning schooling in formal Ojibwe
language instruction.
Click here to read the full press release