The words of a Maori elder in New Zealand about the importance of holding onto their ancestral language summarize the recommendations that Stonecircle provided last week to Mamaweswen, the North Shore Tribal Council regarding the revitalization of their language, Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway).
Mamaweswen contracted Stonecircle to develop strategy options for the revitalization of the language among the communities that make up the tribal council, which are seven First Nations between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie along the north shore of Lake Huron.
The use of language in these communities, as is the case throughout most of Aboriginal Canada, is in a precarious state. There are few speakers, most of them older, with few opportunities to speak or learn the language. But Mamaweswen wants to change that.
Over the last year, Jennifer David and Kory Goulais logged in many kilometres conducting interviews and focus groups in the communities, meeting with Chiefs, elders, educators, language teachers,and others. Terry Rudden ably led the team, edited the final report, and presented it to the Mamaweswen Board of Directors on May 11 in Batchewana First Nation.
The main finding: immersion. The most successful language programs comprise some element of immersion, ideally for children and adults, both short and long term. These immersion programs - language nests, master/apprentice programs, K-8 immersion schools - have proven to help communities and individuals as diverse as the Maori and the Irish to revitalize languages once thought irretrievably lost.
How did the Anishinaabe language come to be? Is there a concern of the language along the north shore? Will our Anishinaabe language fade?
ReplyDeleteThere could be many questions to ask about our native languages and where are the answers.
Here is an idea: Those of us who appreciate our heritage will share it.