Anishinaabemowin-Teg packs them in again
By Margaret Hele
SAULT ST. MARIE, MI – Spending four days at the 19th annual Anishinaabemowin-Teg language conference was a blast.
There were many awesome new presenters at the Kewadin Hotel and Conference Centre and huge turnouts for the various workshops.
Cheryl Recollect and Heidi Manitowabi, who presented on their Gikendaasowin Reclamation Project, were blown away when they saw the packed room. People were bringing chairs from other rooms. Each presenter explained her role in the project of identifying, gathering. recording and displaying the plants located within community lands. This enabled them to make recommendations of various areas that should be protected. Of interest was their method of displaying and/or presenting their work in progress to their community.
Keynote speaker Alan Corbiere made a presentation about the War of 1812, and the role of Tecumseh and Anishinabeg who successfully repelled the American invaders. Alan spoke in both English and Anishinaabemowin as he spoke of the important role played by First Nations warriors in preserving Canadian sovereignty.
Former two-time world champion Lisa Odjig from Wikwemikong taught the basics of hoop dancing during the day to the conference’s youth participants of the conference during the day, as well as presenting an exhibition of her skills during the Friday night banquet .
We got to experience true immersion in the language when we attended the general meeting of Anishinaabemowin-Teg Inc. We had signed up for membership on opening day. President Martina Osawamick conversed mainly in Anishinaabemowin and we had to listen attentively. Some questions asked of her were also in the language.
Fortunately, the auditors’ report was in English. We learned that, in 2012, Anishinaabemowin-Teg Inc. made money, lowered their advertising costs, and attracted more presenters and conference participants.
This article originally posted April 15, 2013.