Your Instructor:
Isadore Toulouse, is an Ojibwe/Odaawa Anishinaabe from the Wikwemikong Unceded First Nation Community located on the Manitoulin Island. He comes from a large family who are all making their livelihood in Wiky. Isadore is the father of one son named Nathan and a Mishoomis of 2 beautiful grandchildren names Alyssia and Tristan whom he loves dearly! Isadore is known for his work in the Anishinaabe language. He does immersion style workshops during his spare time and travels extensively to various places to learn about the dynamics about other languages such as New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, California and Florida. During the last 22 years he has been part of the faculty with the (N.L.I.P.) Native Language Instructors Program at Lake Head University where he teaches the pedagogy of the language to new and up and coming teachers. You will also find him behind his craft booth at various pow-wows throughout North America selling crafts made by himself and most of his family. As an educator for the last 30 years Isadore believes in sharing what he knows about the language. This is why he is offering this free Online Anishinaabemowin class so that everyone and anyone can partake in his lessons in the privacy of their own homes! On top of all this accomplishments, he is also a published author, his book called “Kidwenan” is a language booklet with an accompanying CD on the Anishinaabemowin.
Your IT Help:
Brita Brookes is from Detroit, Michigan and has been taking Ojibwe language class for about 5 years w/Margaret Noori, Isadore Toulouse & Maya Chacaby. Although not aboriginal in descent (Brita is Irish and Latvian first generation- she also speaks some Latvian and loves their regalia, crafts, cooking). She enjoys the language and has attended numerous language camps in Michigan and Canada. She has presented several times at A-teg conference, Manistee and Birch Island and has created a small Ojibwe Book collaboration entitled FOUR Colours Productions which is a non profit. Brita assists Isadore Toulouse and Joni Shawana with Online Anishinaabemowin as an unpaid volunteer. She has a Master's degree in architecture, A Bachelor degree in fine arts/architecture, and a new degree in graphic design and is currently working on a photography degree (Brita likes being in school, she says it keeps her young!). She works as a Media Production Assistant at the Society for College and University Planning in Ann Arbor, Michigan; a local architect in Key West, Florida; and also for numerous Music Photography outlets based in NYC and Detroit. In addition, Brita is a full time caregiver for an elder/mom who is 84 and recovering from a stroke. Brita never had children due to her partner passing from a sudden heart attack, he was very sick. She now accepts that path from Creator and is enjoying the freedom in her life at age 46. She tries to live a healthy good life (no smoking, drugs) and gets lots exercise. She currently lives in both Michigan and Florida and is dating a very nice Buzgim.
Joni Shawana, is Ojibwe from Wikwemikong. She is the youngest daughter of Kenneth Toulouse & Joanna Shawana. Joni comes from two fairly large families all from Wiky. Her extended families reside in Sault Ste Marie, Sudbury, North Bay, Michigan and Toronto. She has a passion to work with Aboriginal Youth which was her drive to graduate from George Brown College in 2000. She has a heart for Communication, Event Planning & Promotions, which motivated her to reach for a Communications Degree from York University (waiting for her to finish her degree though). Some of Joni's accomplishments: she was the editor for the ATEG Newsletter, Street Team Leader for Crystal Shawanda, Coordinator of Provincial Recreational/Healthy Living Initiative with Lifestyle Information Network, Developed & Created Healthy Relationships Curriculum for Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto and dedicating her time as Board of Director for Anishnawbe Health Toronto (3 terms). Currently, Joni is a Housing Worker for Native Youth Resource Centre in Toronto. She is excited to be working with Isadore and his OA Initiative as he's been one of her biggest motivators throughout her professional/academic experiences. Although Joni is not a fluent speaker, she is a dedicated unpaid volunteer with alot of strong skills that is helping OA become successful. We are glad she is taking this opportunity to learn language at the same time. You may have seen Joni at various powwows either singing or being a vendor. She enjoys making crafts and singing and spending time with her sweet Dene buzgim ;)
