Odawa app available

By Melissa Cooper

WIKWEMIKONG – In the New Year, technology in the form of an Odawa language application will be shared with the world thanks to a concept being promoted by this First Nation.

The newly-advertised Odawa language Pal App 2.0 will prove to be a popular item with linguists and those seeking to regain more of their cultural identity through the language.

“In follow-up to a language conference held here in 2011, it was the Wikwemikong Heritage Organization (WHO) and their committee members who brought the idea forward and requested for the Chief and Council to consider the development of the language App,” says Wikwemikong Ogimaa Duke Peltier.

Within the new App there will be numerous categories to choose from including a cultural component,  history, a map of the areas all in the language as well as nursery rhymes and drumming songs.

Ogimaa Peltier indicated that the community’s ten-year language strategy spearheaded by WHO,  is much more aggressive in terms of reincorporating language into all areas of the community – not just in the workplace.

“Samendaagiziwok gwanda wii maadziitowaad gdiniwenina (to work with the technology we have today is one way to help keep our language alive – it’s very awesome),” says Waasejiwon business owner Phyllis Williams.  Loosely translated from the language, Waasejiwon means: “Either the sun or moon reflects on the water and makes it appear like it’s rippling.”

Aside from this initiative, the Wikwemikong Board of Education has a catalogue filled with language-based resource material available where the professionally-developed series of numeracy and literacy educational curriculum is available for educators who seek to upgrade the Odawa language skills amongst themselves and their students.

There is a call out to those fluent speakers interested in participating in the language advisory board.  The working group will be tasked with ensuring the inclusion of cultural and historical aspects of the community in the app as well as have input on the app’s features.

Ogimaa Peltier says that the amount that the community has financially invested into the culture and language – including the educations initiatives  – goes into the millions.