Ge-niigaanizijig Ojibwe Revitalization Project

The Ge-Niigaanizijiig program staff received application materials with an extended date of March 7th, 2016, there were a total of 28 applicants for the program however 2 of the 26 did not meet the age reange that was identified in the initial grant narrative. Program staff, Byron Ninham and Adrienne Benjamin, chose to include the 26 applicants as there was an initial cap of 25 for year one of the cohort through the initial grant narrative (incluuded with narrative item #8). The last open session, for all community youth, was held March 20th 2016. MLBO elders, Joyce Shingobe and Joe Nayquonabe Sr., as Drum Chief's spoke on the importance of ceremonies and culture focused on Big Drum, healing drums that are brought out every spring and fall throughout Mille Lacs. Language topics included exercises on Iskigamizigewin (Maple Sugaring vocabulary and a packet on verbs included with narrative item #8). Applicants were notified of their selection to year one of Ge-Niigaanizijiig and a welcom dinner was held in their honor at Eddy's Resort March 30th, 2016. The MLBO Niigaan Program sponsored the dinner and materials distributed. Contact information gathered from the applicaiton process was utilized for the intial notification and leading up to program sessions to remind and or notify students ofo transportation arrangements. Larry "Amik" Smallwood opened the dinner with an invocation in Ojibwemowin, and MLBO Commissioner of Education, Suzanne Wise, spoke on topics of hope and perseverance for the young people and the journey they will be taking throughout life. Twenty-three of hte twenty-six student and their families attended the welcome dinner, which included year-long dates to e aware of as well as homework from John P Benjamin, "Waabishkigaabaw" (all materials included with narrative item #8). April 9th and 10th, Ge-Niigaanizijiig members were involved in Recipes for Success 1 & 2 through James Anderson Productions, the days consisted of leadership exercizes and community action plans that the cohort members worked through with both the MLBO Niigaan staff and Ge-Niigaanizijig staff (materials included with item #8). However the total group was not available for both days of training, work responsibilities or withdrawal from the progam being the two reasons that were shared with program staff. April 17th 2016 the initial gathering was held with 13 of the 26 members present, Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin of the MLBO openend the session and briefed the students on tribal government, the relationships between the state and national level as well as her journey through tribal government. Throughout the day's session, students were assessed by Waabishkigaabaw and Alex Kmett "Bagwajinini", the day was utlized as a time to find a baseline for language skills and how to better serve the students going forward. There was also rule setting and expectations for program participants and staff t be finalized in May. There is movement toward the goals of the grant by assessing students within the program, the staff are able to gather the data needed for futhering the skill sets. By meeting and the expectations of a supportive group setting, the Ge-Niigaanizijig staff plans to develop activities that grow language learners and empowered leaders.