The Bagidinise Project
The primary project of the Bagidinise Project is to add wood to the fire of learning and revitalization of the Ojibwe language sparked by the Ishkodeke Project. Short term goals are to continue to create high school level curriculum for two more Ojibwe language classes, Ojibwe III and IV, to expand the Ojibwe I offering by an additional section. Additional long-term goals are to align all Ojibwe language classes with the national standards for world language and to continue to develop preschool, elementary, and middle school curriculum that focus on Ojibwe language and culture and that meet state social studies standards.
Language Preservation and Education. $550,000 the first year and $550,000 the second year are for grants for programs that preserve Dakota and Ojibwe Indian languages and to foster educational programs in Dakota and Ojibwe languages.
The Ojibwe Language teacher developed curriculum for Ojibwe III and IV classes that will be offered during the 2012-2013 school year. To enhance teaching these classes, she researched best practices for teaching a world language and is involved in the high school's world Language Professional Learning Community. Ojibwe I, II, III and IV are now aligned with the national standards for world languages, thus Ojibwe can be used at major colleges and universities to fulfill the world language requirement. At some college and universities students can continue studying Ojibwe and some have indicated that they will continue. During april and May six elders visited teh Ojibwe I and II classrooms, sharing their knowledge of language and culture. Among the topics they discussed were boarding schools and language loss, speaking Ojibwe in the home, talking circles, ricing, work in the sugarbush, traditional families and naming ceremonies. The Ojibwe Quiz Bowl team competed in three more meets, finishing the season with a third place at regionals. Each of the three team membersearned an academic letter for their work in Quiz Bowl, a letter that rewarded them for their language prowess. Students completed the comic book and cookbook required by the grant. The comic book was geared to elementary school students who learned the names of the animals in Ojibwe. The cookbook can be used by anyone who likes to cook and wants to learn Ojibwe while doing it. Ingredients were listed in Ojibwe, with a glossary of the most commonly used cooking elements. The Ojibwe language teacher assisted the middle school education tutor in simple language lessons and provided basic language materials to students who are residents at the regional juvenile center. In addition, she taught language twice in the Success Program's students-at-risk-classroom. The American Indian Services final Family Night featured a mini-language lesson. Also, all Indian parents were invited to participate in the Parent Language Labs offered twice monthly during April and May. During the 90-minute sessions parents used the Ojibwe language classroom and its technology to learn Ojibwe, as well as to have an opportunity for one-on-one sessions.