Manidoo Ogitigaan and Nawayee Center School Ojibwe Language Revitalization Project
1. To achieve a sustainable, permanent Ojibwe Language Program for the Nawayee Center School that includes professional development and continuous support for a new Ojibwe language teacher at the school. 2. To introduce Nawayee Center School to a strong network of first language speakers, elders, artists, language facilitators and knowledge-keepers for the Nawayee Center School to support a sustainable community-based language program that includes staff, students, and their families. Throughout the two year grant period, relationship building throughout the Ojibwe language network will result in sustainable long-term relationships. 3. To bring Anishinaabe community members from the cities to Anishinaabe homelands to participate in seasonal land-based Ojibwe language immersion and bilingual activities that include traditional teachings, storytelling, art, and traditional food systems. 4. To develop land-based Ojibwe language curriculum materials for Nawayee Center School, community members who want to learn, and partners participating in Manidoo Ogitigaan's Ojibwe Language Professional's Working Group. 5. To create a support network for Nawayee Center School's Ojibwe language teacher through Manidoo Ogitigaan's Language Professional Working group and offer additional professional development to language teachers and supporting staff members. 6. To increase Ojibwe language proficiency among students and staff at Nawayee Center School.
Expected outcomes include creating a hands-on collaborative learning environment and sustainable Ojibwe language program for the Nawayee Charter Schoo and creating a new teaching position for an Ojibwe language teacher. Incorporating language and traditional teachings along with seasonal activities through this project will create new opportunities for learning about Ojibwe culture while increasing language proficiency in staff and students. Increasing access to culture and language improves the health and well-being of students and families in the program. As a result of this project, we will develop new leaders, knowledge-keepers, and proficient speakers of Anishinaabemowin.