Manidoo Ogitigaan and Nawayee Center School Ojibwe Language Revitalization Project

1. To increase access to Ojibwe language for students at the Nawayee Center School. MIAC will provide funding for an Ojibwe Language teacher at the Nawayee Center School, since there is currently no Ojibwe language program or teacher. During the project, the teacher will work with seasoned Ojibwe language immersion and classroom teachers to develop and build the language program for the Nawayee Center School. Success will be determined by the successful creation and implementation of a new Ojibwe language program at Nawayee Center School. We will also create a model for others to utilize. 2. To Increase access to Ojibwe Elders, Speakers, and knowledge-keepers while building a network for the school's new language program. Success is measured by the number of new connections made through the project. Three first language speakers have agreed to participate in our project, and we have a large network of Ojibwe artists and knowledge-keepers that we regularly work with. 2 experienced Ojibwe language teachers have agreed to provide support for this project. 3. To increase access to language and traditional teachings for inner city families through hands-on seasonal land-based Ojibwe immersion bi-lingual activities. Manidoo Ogitigaan will provide at least two seasonal land-based Ojibwe immersion and bi-lingual camps and events in Anishinaabe homelands that will increase traditional knowledge and language proficiency in staff, students, and families. Measurable outcomes will include student journals and feedback, as well as language assessments after each cultural camp and activity. 4. To offer professional development opportunities and support for the new language program and teacher at the Nawayee Center School. Manidoo Ogitigaan will offer support through 104 weeks of virtual online language tables that are designed to support Ojibwe Language professionals. The group is already establishes, and has been meeting virtually for 2 years. We will assist with tangible classroom tools and learning materials and Ojibwe language curriculum development. By the end of the two year period, the teacher at the Nawayee Center School will have increased language proficiency, a support network of Ojibwe language professionals to work with, and multiple teaching strategies and tools to ensure success in the classroom. Success will be measured through quarterly proficiency assessments, and quarterly surveys. 5. To assist with Ojibwe language professional development, we will send 2 representatives from Nawayee Center School and 2 from Manidoo Ogitigaan to the Dakota and Ojibwe Languages Symposium for two years. 6. Language Proficiency will be measured by regular quarterly assessments and students grades. Students should achieve a C or higher in the Ojibwe Language classroom.