Mark your calendars, pack your tents, and bookmark your computers! Here’s MUSKRAT’s summer fun guide to re-learning our languages:
1. Nehiyawak Land and Language Camp July 20-24 2014
(Sturgeon Lake, SK) The Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan has partnered with Belinda Daniels to bring the 10th Annual Nehiyawak Land and Language Summer Camp in Sturgeon Lake, Saskatchewan. With a focus on learning about the land as well as the Cree language. Registration is full, but there is a waiting list.
2. Anishinaabemdaa Anishinaabe Language & Cultural Camp July 25-27, 2014
The Little River Band of Ottawa (Minnesota) 21st Annual Anishinaabe Family Language/Culture Camp celebrating the unity of Anishinaabe language and culture. Presentations and workshops are for all ages, and will be in both English and Anishinaabemowin. It is asked that English be treated as a second language during the camp. Camping is available, first come, first served. It is also asked that each family bring a gift for the giveaway.
3. Alderville Anishinaabemowin Camp 2014 August 8-10, 2014
(Alderville FN ON) Helen Roy Fuhst will be coming to Alderville First Nation to teach Ojibwe using her Sound Based Method of Understanding Anishinaabemowin. All learners of all skill levels are encouraged to attend. TRACKS Indigenous Knowledge Science programming (Trent University) will be available for children free of charge from 9:00 – 4:30.
For more information or to RSVP contact Keith Montreuil and Showna Smoke via email at: aldervillelanguagecamp@mail.com
4. Anishinaabe Binesi Summer Kids Day Camp 2014
(Sault Ste Marie, ON) There are 5 weeks of Summer Camp. Each week is a different Theme, such as Culture, Regalia and Fiddle. It all starts in July until the first week of August. Anishinaabemowin will be incorporated throughout camps. For more information: Cheryl Suggashie, Binesi.camp@algomau.ca
5. Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community Summer Language Camp July 14-25 2014
(Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community, Fonda NY) With three levels of learning: Intro; Basic and Conversational. Space is limited. Registration fee is $1000 US for 12 days, includes accommodation, all meals, instruction and materials). Scholarships for Haudenosaunee applicants are available.
6. Our Kids Summer Camps July – August 2014
(M’Chigeeng ON) An opportunity for children to learn and experience Aboriginal culture and traditions in the outdoors. Camps offer weekly themes, special events and traditional games, Ojibwe language learning, teachings, craft making, cooking over the open fire, survival skills & so much more. Themes include: 7 Grandfathers Teachings; Thirteen Moons and the Turtle; Medicine Wheel; The Seven Original Clans. Ages 6-12 $200 per child for 3 days, (Discounts are available). For more information: (705) 377-4404
7. Chimnissing Anishinaabemowin Gbeshi August 13-17 2014
(Christian Island, ON) Chimnissing Anishinaabemowin Gbeshi is a volunteer run, five day immersion camp. There is no registration fee, but $30 donations are asked from each family to assist with the cost of sanitation and supplies. Camping on site is free, and encouraged. There is a Welcoming feast on Thursday evening and Friday noon feast, otherwise campers are responsible for their own food. For more information: Erica Martin elouttit@rocketmail.com 705-247-2011 ext 258
8. Grand Traverse Band Family Anishinaabemowin Camp August 12 – 14
(Peshawbestown, MI) The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians is offering another Family Anishinaabemowin Camp.
For information: Carrie Leaureaux carrie.leaureaux@gtbindians.com or Sammie McCllellan-Dyal sammie.dyal@gtbindians.com
Those unable to attend the event can still receive online Anishinaabemowin instruction through the GTBOCI website.
ONLINE RESOURCES:
Jilaptoq Mi’Kmaw Digital Language Centre
The Jilaptoq Mi’kmaw Language Center involves the creation of digital, multimedia, and interactive Mi’kmaw educational support material. Initially the material is being designed for use with the Nova Scotia Department of Education’s Grade 7 Mi’kmaw Curriculum. However, the project website will ultimately be of use to all Mi’kmaw and Non-Mi’kmaw educators who are endeavoring to teach Mi’kmaw language and culture.
Mi’gmaq-Mi’kmaq Talking Dictionary
The talking dictionary project is developing an Internet resource for the Mi’gmaq/Mi’kmaq language. Each headword is recorded by a minimum of three speakers. Multiple speakers allow one to hear differences and variations in how a word is pronounced. Each recorded word is used in an accompanying phrase. This permits learners the opportunity to develop the difficult skill of distinguishing individual words when they are spoken in a phrase.
7 Generations Ojibwe Language Table
The Ojibwe Language Table is an inexpensive way to help people who want to learn their language, and practice to become fluent speakers. For the teachers in the trenches, you can get started at your breaks, or in the staff room, in the classroom, anywhere that is convenient and where it will work. This also good for any language. It’s easy, doesn’t cost anything, and everyone benefits.
Kanien’keha:ka Onkwawen:na Raotitiohkwa
To support, promote and fulfill the goals of Kahnawake’s Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Centre, and the Kahnawà:ke community Language Law. Starting in 2002, the Kanien’kéha Ratiwennahní:rats Adult Immersion Program has offered community members an opportunity to reconnect to their language and culture. As one of our key educational endeavors, Kanien’kéha Ratiwennahní:rats has proved to be an effective endeavor to revitalize the Kanien’kéha language in Kahnawà:ke.
In addition to Kanien’kéha Ratiwennahní:rats, KORLCC also offers community Kanien’kéha language enrichment classes. These classes are offered in both the Spring and Fall semesters. Please contact our office for more information or to register.
The Ojibwe People’s Dictionary
The Ojibwe People’s Dictionary was established by faculty and students in the Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota.
Tsi Kionhnheht Ne Onkwawenna Language Circle:
Community outreach for Kanien’kehaka neha and language teaching:
Shatiwennakaratats Adult Language Program (September – June Mon-Fri 9am-3pm);
Kawennaon:we Primary Immersion (11 month August-June for children SK-grade 4;
Totahne Language Nest (September- June for children 2-5) total immersion in a home with fluent Grandmothers.
For more information contact: Callie Hill callieh1310@gmail.com 613-396-1081
Gwich’in Social & Cultural Institute
The Dinjii Zhu’ Ginjik (Gwich’in language) is one of the most endangered Aboriginal languages in Canada. It is the most endangered Athapaskan (Dene) language in the NWT. Due to the encroachment of English into all aspects of daily life, only a small number of our elders and a few determined individuals continue to use the language on a regular basis. It is very rare to hear our children speak their language. Statistics provided in 1998 by the Government of the Northwest Territories bear witness to the seriousness of the situation. Of the 2,397 Gwich’in beneficiaries in the NWT, only 40 people (2%) spoke the language in their home and only 312 (13%) reported they could speak the language.
The ”StÛ:lM” (also sometimes written ”StÛ:lÙ” or ”StÛ:lı”, historically as ”Staulo”; are a group of First Nations peoples inhabiting the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Nineteen StÛ:lM First Nations are mutually affiliated as the StÛ:lÙ Nation. They traditionally speak the Upriver dialect of Halkomelem, one of the Salishan languages|Salishan family of languages of the Coast Salish peoples. ”StÛ:lM” is the Halkomelem word for the Fraser River. The StÛ:lM are thus ”the river people”.
*There are over 60 Indigenous languages in what is now known as Canada. Please send us links to your language resources we missed and we will add them!
**Muskrat would like to give a special thanks to Connor Pion for assisting in the compilation of this list
