Taught by master speakers and university faculty, Ojibwemotaadidaa is an Ojibwe Immersion Academy for adult language learners who seek to improve their proficiency and pass the language on to others. The goal of Ojibwemotaadidaa is to ensure the longevity of the Ojibwe language by increasing the quality and quantity of proficient speakers in Minnesota and surrounding states.

To learn more, visit the website for Ojibwemotaadidaa Omaa Gidakiiminaang

Ojibwemotaadidaa Omaa Gidakiiminaang (let’s speak Ojibwe to one another here on our Earth) is an Ojibwe language immersion program funded by Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC, Cloquet, MN) and with grants from the State of Minnesota. Robert “Sonny” Peacock, director/CEO of FDLTCC; Dr. Gary Deason, a retired professor and writer; and Lucia Bonacci, a recent graduate of the Ojibwe language program at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMN) conceived the program at Camp Ottertail, an Ojibwe language and culture camp in Ontario, Canada.

About

The Fond du Lac Tribal College Ojibwemotaadidaa Omaa Gidakiiminaang Ojibwe language program consists of teaching, learning, recording and publishing in the Ojibwe language with the direct involvement of elder first speakers, faculty members, young adults, language teachers, and program staff. The goals of the program are:

  • Produce competent hearers and speakers of Ojibwe
  • Advance literacy through high quality Ojibwe publications
  • Lay a strong foundation for life-long learning of the language and culture
  • Create a community of language speakers who want to live in the language
  • Form relationships between learners and elder first speakers
  • Build relationships among participants for sharing the language
  • Record first speakers and pass their language on to the next generation
Mission

Miiwan onowe waa-gagwe-ombishktaatooyang: 
Our mission:

Endaso-giizhik ji-inaadiziyang ezhi-anishinaabewiyang gaye apane ji-ojibwemoyang.
Every day we show who we are as Anishinaabeg, speaking Ojibwe. To live our lives in the language.

Ji-ani-giiwewidamaageyang gaa-gii-aazhawinamaagooyang, ge giinawind giga-aazhawinamaagemin.
To take what we learn and bring it home. To take home what we learn here to help in our current jobs, positions, and maybe also to create our own programs, using what works for us from the Ojibwemotaadidaa model.

Ji-ani-aazhawinamaageyang ji-zaaziidoshkodaadiyang weweni ji-ombishkaatooyang gidinwewininaan.
To create a positive language learning community.  To form positive relationships to continue our learning even outside the academy—with elders and with other language-learners.

History

Ojibwemotaadidaa Omaa Gidakiiminaang (let’s speak Ojibwe to one another here on our Earth) is an Ojibwe language immersion program funded by Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC, Cloquet, MN) and with grants from the State of Minnesota. Robert “Sonny” Peacock, director/CEO of FDLTCC; Dr. Gary Deason, a retired professor and writer; and Lucia Bonacci, a recent graduate of the Ojibwe language program at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMN) conceived the program at Camp Ottertail, an Ojibwe language and culture camp in Ontario, Canada.

With a development team that included former FDLTCC President Larry Anderson, among others, participants sought to create a program where students could learn Ojibwe at an advanced level. At that time, students who had graduated from other Ojibwe language programs and hoped to continue their studies had to do so on their own. Even though a growing demand for Ojibwe language teachers created jobs for these graduates, they did not have an organized program where they could increase their own fluency.

The development team decided that an advanced Ojibwe language program should be conducted completely in Ojibwe—only a true language immersion setting could produce highly proficient to fluent speakers. These Ojibwe language learners could then go on to contribute to other language revitalization efforts at the preschool, elementary, and college levels.

Click here to read more about the founding of Ojibwemotaadidaa Omaa Gidakiiminaang with the Tribal College Journal

Gookonaanig Endaawaad

Mii o’ow Gookonaanig Endaawaad imaa Nagaajiwanaang. Mii omaa mawadisidiwaad netaa-ojibwemojig, abinoojiiyensag biinish naano-biboonagiziwaad, ogitiziiman, miinawaa gaye enokiijig ji-nitaawigi’aawaad abinoojiiyensan ojibwemonid, ge ji-ombishkaamagak anishinaabemowin.

Gookonaanig Endaawaad (Grandmas’ House) is a language nest for babies 0 to 5 years old. They are housed on the homelands of The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, in northeastern Minnesota. Gookonaanig Endaawaad brings together families of language learners, elders, and staff to raise first language speakers and revitalize Ojibwe language through a community and family centered approach

Learn more about ​Gookonaanig Endaawaad (Grandmas’ House) 

Ojibwemotaadidaa is funded by the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College with the support of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

Testimonials

I chose FDLTCC because of its size and the curriculum. When I first came here in 2019, I was just looking for what I needed to volunteer, perhaps in a crisis shelter. I met with Don Jarvinen, and the rest is history.

It is awesome here at the FDLTCC Education Program because it is like a family here, if you need help or are struggling with anything, you have quite a few people who will help you out.

My favorite thing about FDLTCC is the people. I’ve met fantastic students, faculty and staff who go above and beyond what I expected.