Deshkan Ziibii revitalizing Anishinaabemowin with the Paswe’aatigok language program
By Greg Plain
DESHKAN ZIIBII (Chippewas of the Thames FN) – The importance of Anishinaabemowin has gained headway over the last few years with the creation of a community comprehensive plan that outlines the need to revitalize the language in the Chippewas of the Thames for all ages.
At the newly created Chippewa Heritage Centre, members of the language group came together for 12 weekends between Jan. 20 and June 15 to revitalize Anishinaabemowin in Chippwea. The program is called “Paswe’aatigok” – echo through the trees – and is the first of its kind in the community. Chippewas of the Thames has no living fluent speaking citizens residing in the community.
Betsylee Kechego, Brooke Simon and Monty McGahey II were instrumental in the creation and co-ordination of the program, and hope to move ahead in other Anishinaabe language teaching throughout the region.
“The importance of language learning is being able to teach fellow community members on how our ancestors seen the world before the Europeans arrived,” says Betsylee Kechego. “It shows the true beauty of Anishinaabe people, which the European people didn’t take the time to understand.”
Monty McGahey II says that learning the language teaches us about our culture and traditions and is the backbone of our ceremonies.
“Our ceremonies and our language go hand in hand and cannot be separate from each other,” says McGahey. “Not only does our language help teach us who we are as Anishinaabeg but also helps us assert ourselves politically by showing we truly are a separate nation.”
Paswe’aatigok saw two fluent speakers per weekend. Fluent speakers Doris Boissoneau, Russell Peltier, Juanita Pheasant and Mario Wassaykeesic were paired up on alternate weekends so that the students were able to hear what Anishinaabemowin sounded like in conversation.
The language program incorporated the Fiero/Double vowel writing system that is becoming the common writing system used among teachers and learners of Anishinaabemowin. Fluent speakers keep in mind that adult language learners have a different learning style than children. The approach to teaching adults requires more writing, interactive activities, games and stories, and a priority was put on reading.
The program was funded by Aboriginal Languages Initiative and OLG dollars from Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. 45 students started the program and 20 of those completed the entire program and graduated on July 15.