Page 24 - Georgina Island

Language Warrior:
Acknowledging Barbara McDonald
a Champion
oday, there are less than a handful of first
speakers of Anishinaabemowin in the
membership of the Chippewas of Georgina
TIsland. As each speaker passes, they take
our talk with them.
One of our most avid champions for learning
Anishinaabemowin was Barbara McDonald,
who passed in 2017. Known simply as “Auntie”
by many in the community, she dedicated a
great deal of herself and her knowledge of the
language to ensure our community embraced
learning it.
Barbara was born on Georgina Island. In the
1980s, after a full career as a nurse’s aide
in Toronto, she studied language teaching
through Lakehead University.
22 Georgina Island First Nation
ogemawahj_community_book1.indd 22
Barbara began teaching in the community soon
after she graduated. There are generations of
learners in our community who knew Barbara
as their teacher.
Today, many people in our community credit
Barbara’s passion and her drive to share the
language for the simple phrases and words
they are able to speak in Anishinaabemowin.
She either taught them formally in our school,
or informally in the community. Barbara was
intentional about using Anishinaabemowin
whenever she could. She was a patient and
loving teacher who also taught respect and
love for all of creation, pride in her community,
and the importance of education. For many of
us, hearing Barbara talk was the only time we
were able to hear our language and our very
own Georgina Island dialect.
Barbara loved her church on Georgina Island
and served as a Board member for many
years. She also served as an Elder to Chief and
Council, and to the Ogemawahj Tribal Council
where her thoughtful insight and wisdom at
meetings were greatly respected.
Barbara truly shared her love of the language,
and her love for us through the language. Her
impact is deep and will continue to influence
community efforts at keeping our language
alive for many years to come.
WORDS TO KNOW
dialect: a form of language that is unique to a certain
region or social group
2019-02-27 10:32 AM