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Learning Anishinaabemowin @ Home
By: Joni Shawana – OATeam Communications
Whether you are on public transit, home, work, school or even on your tablet everyone has the opportunity to learn the basics of Ojibwe Language through the free “Online Anishinaabemowin” (OA) webinar.
Within the Robinson Huron area there is a large number of individuals who fluently speak the language; the majority of these speakers are over 50 years old. OA realized the further south you travel it is less likely you will hear the language; therefore, they started an initiative that would help revitalize language within these southern communities, such as Toronto.
The OA webinar is managed by a team of experienced volunteers, Brita Brookes & myself Joni Shawana who have the essential communications, graphic design & promotional skills to help Isadore's dream become a reality. Without his direction and dreams this opportunity would not be possible.
Isadore Toulouse, an Odawa/Ojibwe of Wikwemikong has been an Ojibwe language instructor for over 30 years. Aside from teaching elementary, secondary and post secondary students, he also instructs the Native Language Instructors Program at Lake Head University where he teaches the pedagogy of the language to upcoming language teachers.
Isadore decided to offer OA because there is a lack of language programs available in remote/urban areas where language is being lost and the intimidating factor that students endure when learning within a classroom environment. He hopes OA gives individuals and families the opportunity to log-in from anywhere – even in the privacy of their own home to promote family learning that will help alleviate these factors. The Ashford Family of Midland Ontario says “What my family and I enjoy the most is his sense of humour and kindness. Isadore has a way of teaching that is fun and informative. The program is done at the perfect time when school and work are done and the whole family can get together. Mine does even during dinner time!”
To ensure communities and programs find ways to revitalize language there needs to be an understanding of the barriers and challenges people encounter when taking the steps to learn the language. Mr. Toulouse shares three barriers he found common throughout his teaching career:
- Dialect should not be an issue as the language is easily transferable to other dialects in both United States and Canada
- Intimidation within classroom settings makes students afraid of being laughed at or centered out
- And, lack of written resources, aside from the common written material, instructors need to take advantage of the growing technology to ensure language is taught by using our everyday tools such as toys and games which will engage children & youth
When reflecting on ways to overcome these barriers, Isadore believes there should be posters and billboards in the classrooms, offices, homes and even along the highways. Families can join language camps and post labels around the house. Most importantly, programs and/or communities should have a policy indicating “Anishinaabemowin is the First Language in this program and/or community.”
In order for Isadore to provide this service, he receives alot of tech support from his kwezehns (Brita & Joni) who both offer a wide range of skills to help keep OA network with their students. As OA's IT support and communications, their students also wanted to know how Toulouse's kwezehns help revitalize language.
Brita Brookes of Detroit works on storybooks in a non profit collaboration called FOUR Colours Productions. FOUR Colours publishes e-books, paper books and audio Cd's of children's stories in Ojibwe and English, which helps language in many ways by employing Anishinabek translators, artists and writers. These resources reach Anishinabek to encourage them to take pride in reading and speaking Anishinaabemowin.
As a non-fluent speaker Joni Shawana slightly understands basic words and phrases and able to communicate basic words with her nephews. Although she is unable to fully converse, she helps OA utilize the computer technology by assisting with all communication aspects such as networking, social media and seeking sponsors. Clarice, a Laurentian University student states “I like how Isadore teaches and makes sure to repeat the words/sentences that are being taught. I also love how the slideshows get the students involved.”
OA has successfully hosted ten webinars since the start of 2014 with over 100 students in each class. With volunteers and instructor working together by login in from three different cities, the OA Team has overcome several technical challenges however, as each class passed with great patience and understanding these technical issues tweak itself out.
Online Anishinaabemowin invite you to join the remaining sessions. The last session is held on March 5, 2014. If your program or agency is interested in sponsoring an online class, please contact us at email below.
DETAILED QUESTIONS FROM INTERVIEW:
Isadore:
1. Why did you choose to offer this free online webinar?
3.) I especially enjoy teaching the language as a family setting where the entire family is involved, so they are able to bounce the words off from one another.
2. What is the demographics of Ojibwe/Odawa people, how many speak, how many don't speak?
3. What do you think are some barriers of learning?
to other dialects in both United States and Canada. Intimidation from a classroom setting, being afraid to say
words then get laughed at! (afraid of being centered out by the teacher)
Lack of resources (Written resources) to learn the language. There should be money set aside to
create toys/dolls that speak the common words around Anishinaabe speaking communities so the children can hear it coming from the toys/dolls, Example! Hello/Aanii(n)/Boozhoo, I am a little girl/Niin kwezens ndaaw!, Maybe name the body parts etc….
4. What are some new ways people can overcome these barriers?
By making posters to reflect this dialect issue. And reinforcing it regularly! Maybe putting up BILLBOARDS on the highways about the importance of learning the language no matter what dialect it is!
Having our elders/leaders talk about them in their meeting and share the importance. Setting aside Casino dollars within the communities to help offset some of the cost to create these billboards! Having each community say “Anishinaabemowin is the First language of this community” By taking the On-Line Anishinaabemowin class so you can speak freely from the privacy of your own home! Without intimidation.
5. How can language people engage more children & youth into learning the language?
Using some of the ideas from the above (4) comments. Getting involved in language camps as a family! Tune into the Online Anishinaabemowin class as a family, make the commitment to do so every Wednesday night. Label things in the house, maybe make a poster and situate it somewhere, where everyone sees it or has access to it, so when the need arises you can make use of the words! (Maybe a simple table top card with the various sayings for the dinner table such as “Pass the…..”
Brita:
1. As I.T, what are some challenges in hosting this online webinar?
There were limited affordable packages that allow over 100 students with all the perks like chat, powerpoint and no required connection to gmail at a reasonable price so that was a major challenge! Most plans I found went from 100 to 500 and had large price difference. With the help of Joni's investigation, I was able to take a tutorial and learn how to be a moderator using the webinar software for the cheaper meeting host. The initial meeting using the cheaper host went very bad due to static in the audio and no video image. I followed through and called customer support and was able to get a free upgrade. The second class went very well and the audio is excellent. Audio is so important for the language- being able to hear Isadore say the word! After a few technical bumps in the road I feel the class is now running very well. It is also hard to get the other team members used to the software so you have to practice ahead of time. Once we all meet online and tried out the audio, video and screen, we were more comfortable. I would advise anybody using the software to practice before broadcasting a class. Marketing the meeting times and links is also critical to get a good attendance number. Joni and I start a week ahead of each class sending out emails, posting flyers and announcements to get people excited and motivated for the class and to mark their calendars.
2. What do you do to ensure language is continued...
I like to volunteer for activities like Online Anishinaabemowin as this class reaches so many people in remote areas that may not have access to a class. I also work on storybooks in a non profit collaboration I started called FOUR Colours Productions. We publish ebooks, paper books and audio Cd's of childrens stories in Ojibwe and English. The works helps language in many ways- it employs Anishinabek translators, artists and writers and then the books reach Anishinabek and other youth and encourage them to take pride in reading and speaking Anishinaabemowin. I also attend A-teg every year, Manistee Language Camp, Birch Island and many other cultural events. In addition I attend non Native events with the books to reach out to a different community about this areas original language.
3. What drives/motivates you to help preserve language?
As a non-aboriginal person I get asked this question a lot. My love for languages and cultures began as a child. My Latvian mom married an American man and he spoke no Latvian. In order to communicate with my Maternal grandparents we had to sign, act and write out words to communicate. Slowly I learned the language of my mother and then I went to school. When I was at school other children started to ostracize me for having an accent and another language so I quickly vowed to never speak my mothers language again. This has damaged my inner culture and identity to no end. I now embrace languages and found Ojibwe to come very naturally and stay in my memory. I guess preservation of all cultures and languages is what motivates me to participate in continuing to learn anishinaabemowin. People should be proud of who they are, not hide it.
Questions from Isadore to Brita & Joni:
1. Why did you get involved with the first Online program with Mr. Toulouse?
Brita: I was taking language classes at U of M and they ended, so when Isadore started the class I joined immediately.
Joni: I know language is important, I am aware that I need to learn more. I love helping out where I can (networking, promotions, blogging) and still learning at the same time.
2. How has this online program or the previous one helped you in retain, revitalize and maintain the language that you understood as a child?
Brita: The program has helped build some language muscle- it’s always really satisfying to end a class with Isadore being able to say some basic everyday phrases like ''on top of, underneath" or a part of the Ojibwe prayer.
Joni: I am able to comprehend some of the basics. It’s great to learn the adjectives, past/present tense but my challenge is putting things in sentence structure.
3. What would you do to encourage others to learn the language?
Brita: I would let everybody know about the class and to get books, tapes and Cds from all the great resources we have in Michigan, Canada, Minnesota and Wisconsin. I would suggest to not get hung up on dialects too!
Joni: Well, for one, to tell people to keep logging into the webinars and seek sponsors to help keep this going. But really, I’d encourage people to take a language class wherever they are, ask questions, repeat what the speaker said and don’t be shy to say, (“huh!?”…just kidding) what does that mean?
4. What type of opportunities is available to people that have a language base behind them? (Example: Job opportunities etc….)
Brita: There are multiple teaching jobs posted each year and also cultural jobs.\
Joni: I agree with Brita, although working within Native agencies can be challenging at times, but I feel that knowing the language will help tourism, translation and cultural related jobs. Even knowing the basics (vowels, simple commands, past/present tense) will probably land you a job in early years school programs (It did for me!!!!!!!!)
5. What has been the biggest challenge for you with this Online Program?
Brita: Fitting the hour into my crazy schedule - but I made time for it- it is that important!
Joni: Trying to beat Toronto Transit times and get home on time for class!