Minnesota Ojibwe Language Collaboration
This project brings together multiple partners to assist with various collaborative efforts including: web site development, purchase of portable media players, licenses for existing language software, and expenses for elder speakers gathering. A webmaster will be contracted to set up a language website on the internet. First generation speakers will be asked to assist others as they are video and audio taped speaking Ojibwe words. These recordings will be used on the website as shared materials between reservations, allowing the language, along with the various dialects to be learned. By recording community members, it is anticipated that we can better engage the community by joining the effort to revitalize our indigenous languages. Each reservation will provide recording and office equipment for their portion of the recording project as an in-kind donation.
The Minnesota Ojibwe Language Collaboration has the ability to serve anyone interested in learning the Ojibwe language with a focus on the Ojibwe Tribes in Minnesota through the development of a language revitalization internet program which will be free and can be downloaded. Participating Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Reservations are Bois Forte, Grand Portage, Mille Lacs, and White Earth. The website will serve as a collection of not only the Ojibwe language but also the various dialects spoken among the Ojibwe.
$550,000 in 2010 and $700,000 in 2011 are appropriated to the Indian Affairs Council to issue grants for programs to preserve Dakota and Ojibwe Indian languages and to foster educational programs in Dakota and Ojibwe languages.
Recorded first language speakers. Hired webmaster to maintain language website. Conducted gatherings for first generational speakers.