Peggy Revell
Educators, experts, and those interested in Ojibwe language education gathered here last week as the “Our Language is Our Culture” conference returned for a third year—this time round even bigger and better.
“In the past, we’ve had it for one day and it was very popular, so we expanded it to three days this time,” noted Fond du Lac Tribal University teacher Dan Jones, currently on sabbatical and back home at Nigigoonsiminikaniing First Nation for the year, who helped organize the conference put on by the Rainy River District School Board.
This year saw a record 90 people registered for the conference, which was held April 27-29 at La Place Rendez-Vous and covered a variety of topics, including technology, traditional practices, evaluation of learning styles, and more, said Jones.
There were presentations from academics like Dr. Neyooxet Greymorning, from the University of Montana’s Department of Anthropology and Native American Studies, Dr. Anton Treuer, a professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University, as well as Canadian filmmaker and inspirational speaker, Andrée Cazabon, SayItFirst.ca founder Mike Parkhill, and Chad Solomon, author of the “Rabbit and Bear Paws” series.
Personally, Jones said he was looking forward to discussing strategies on the issues in language acquisition, language revitalization, and language retention.
“It’s an opportunity, I think, where [educators] can meet with [their] co-workers, not only in the district but outside the district and even internationally,” he remarked, noting that participants and presenters have come from throughout the region, including Manitoba, Minnesota, and Montana.
Treaty #3 itself is known across Ontario and Canada as the central location of the Ojibwe language, with a lot of speakers in the area, Jones added.
“What happens is most [educators] are working independently and they have no support system,” he explained. “So this is like a support system.
“They can meet their co-workers, have an opportunity to see what others are doing with their curriculum.”
Jones said there’s no standard curriculum when it comes to the language, so a lot of the curriculum development is being done independently.
“[So] here’s an opportunity for people to share—to share what other people are doing and gain knowledge about techniques, strategies, all those things,” he reasoned.
For example, part of the conference included presentations on how various technologies—such as SmartBoards—are being used to teach the language.
This is especially helpful for remote schools that don’t have access to this technology and are wondering if they should get it, Jones said.
At the same time, students today are being more exposed to technology on a regular basis and are benefitting from it when it comes to learning the language.
“I think what were doing here is promoting, sharing, teaching knowledge, and revitalizing the language and the culture,” elder Nancy Jones (Ogimaawigwanebiik), a retired native languages teacher from Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, remarked during the conference’s first morning.
“It’s getting bigger and better each year, and we’re now locating more of the fluent speakers, the language workers,” she explained, adding she enjoys attending the conference each year.
“We’re making more progress when we work together,” she stressed. “I’m always glad to help out in teaching and guiding our language and culture.”
“These type of conferences, I find, are really important because it makes teachers and educators aware of the great programs that are being developed and used within the curriculum of Ontario to help support our first languages,” noted Solomon.
His presentation focused on how educators can bring the creation of graphic novels into their own classrooms as a teaching tool.
“Keeping stuff current is how people stay engaged with traditions,” he remarked, reflecting on how with the “Rabbit and Bear Paws” series have used graphic novels, puppets, T-shirts, and more to engage and stay connected to the “Seven Grandfather” teachings in day-to-day life.
“[My books] help share some of the stories that I grew up with, with my late grandparents, who shared the stories with me,” Solomon explained.
“I love the oral stories so much that I created some young stories to continue on those stories through, of course, the graphic novel and picture book series.”
Using comedy, each of the books focuses on one of the “Seven Grandfather” teachings, Solomon said, with the graphic novels appealing to younger people and those who are “young at heart that love to laugh, love to read.”
Alongside the books, they’ve also developed language-based programs, book materials, print materials, and software for kids to engage in the language, and teachers, too, Solomon noted.
It’s a “great way” to engage in the stories that were told orally for generations—just now in graphic novel form, he explained, adding it’s really about the message that these stories have.
“I’m really pleased with the turnout this year—it’s the largest we’ve had to date and just a lot to do with the dedication of our staff in preparing for these days,” noted Heather Campbell, director of education for the local public school board.
More important than the growing attendance, however, the conference brings together professionals and community members to enhance both the board’s native studies and language instruction for students, she said.
“It helps our teachers enhance their professional development, it helps them network,” Campbell remarked.
“And most importantly, that translates into improved achievement and improved programming for the students—and that’s the major focus of the board,” she stressed.
