Language learners reach new horizons

June 10, 2014

The Great Lakes Honda dealership in Sault Ste. Marie, ON welcomed Anishinaabemowin students to their boardroom for the first two immersion classes. Standing, from left: William Pine, Carol Jones, Bernadine Boissoneau, Alice Corbiere, Alanna Jones, Elizabeth Edgar-Webkamigad, Ngwaagan Eshkibak, Barbara Nolan, Barbara Burns, Gracy Nagy. Front, from left: Marion Seymour, Mona Jones, Jessica Pregent, Margaret Hele.
The Great Lakes Honda dealership in Sault Ste. Marie, ON welcomed Anishinaabemowin students to their boardroom for the first two immersion classes. Standing, from left: William Pine, Carol Jones, Bernadine Boissoneau, Alice Corbiere, Alanna Jones, Elizabeth Edgar-Webkamigad, Ngwaagan Eshkibak, Barbara Nolan, Barbara Burns, Gracy Nagy. Front, from left: Marion Seymour, Mona Jones, Jessica Pregent, Margaret Hele.

By Margaret Hele

GARDEN RIVER FN – A grant from the federal government’s New Horizons program will support Anishinaabe language immersion sessions.

The successful application was submitted by Anishinaabek of the North Shore, affiliated with the Ontario Native Women’s Association, to provide elders and youth with the opportunity to hear and acquire Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language.

In partnership with barbaranolan.com the group has organized twice-weekly immersion classes at Algoma University, Sault College and off campus until February, 2015. In addition, the program includes special monthly activity days conducted in the language.

Fluent speaker Barbara Nolan is hoping to attract up to 25 participants for each of three sessions scheduled from April to July, from July to October and from October to February.

Nolan will speak only in Anishinaabemowin, and use gestures and drawings to assist learners in comprehending her stories.

Student Noel (Skip) Jones advises participants to: ”Listen and watch the eyes and actions of the instructor, for that is how I’ve learned. I enjoy all the stories.”