Page 25 - Beausoleil First Nation
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Language Warriors:
Acknowledging Vicki Monague
and Jeff Monague
Champions
Vicki Monague Jeff Monague with his daughter, Rhiannon Monague
aving more people use the language is eff Monague, who learned
high on the list of things to accomplish Anishinaabemowin as his first language,
for many members. Some people, such as is passionate about making sure that
HVicki Monague, work hard to learn, share, Jthe language survives. Jeff has worked
and provide space for others to pick up the tirelessly in the region on countless projects
language. Vicki works endlessly to learn her that encourage the use of Anishinaabemowin.
language. In 2018, she graduated from Georgian He has produced resources for others to use
College’s Anishinaabemowin Language in teaching and learning the language. Jeff’s
Programming course with honours. In a recent passion is well known, and he is recognized as
article from Aware Simcoe, Vicki spoke about a go-to person for organizations and individuals
the importance of learning the language of who work to strengthen the language.
her ancestors. “Someone once said to me that
if you lose your language and culture, you are
just a descendant of the Ojibwe people, but
not Ojibwe,” she says. “I want to be Ojibwe.”
Our language teachers, those
who have dedicated so much
to sharing the language
with their heart and souls,
are our champions, too. Not
pictured, but always honoured,
Doris Assance Fisher and
Nancy Walser Doug King Myrtle Jamieson Rosanne Monague Faith Marsden.
and Gloria King
Beausoleil First Nation 23
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