Page 24 - Chippewas of Rama First Nation

The people in our community who speak Anishinaabemowin
have a very special way of thinking. In Anishinaabemowin,
many words represent concepts, so it is impossible to translate
the language into English word for word. One word might
paint a whole picture in an Anishinaabemowin speaker’s mind.
This means that how we think in the English language is very
different from how we think in Anishinaabemowin.

Many of our people were prevented from speaking
Anishinaabemowin at school, so it has been difficult to keep
the language strong. A good number of people are involved
in reclaiming the language. The First Nation funds members to
study Anishinaabemowin in Ontario colleges and universities.
The First Nation also supports members who join locally
developed Anishinaabemowin immersion programs. Members
bring back their skills to teach Anishinaabemowin in the school
and run community learning programs. Our First Nation, other
Nations around us, and urban First Nations are working hard to
develop more settings for individuals to use our language.

The late Shirley Shilling,
Anishinaabemowin language
and literacy teacher; here she is
teaching Anishinaabemowin in a
community classroom.

22 Chippewas of Rama First Nation

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