Along the shores of the Great Lakes between Canada and the United States border is a North American Indigenous community known as the Walpole Island First Nation. Currently, a small group of community members within this community, are working on a mission to restore their ancestral language. Reversing negative intergenerational impacts caused by Indian Residential and Boarding School Institutions across North America.
The current original Indigenous language fluency in this community, known as ‘Anishinaabemowin,’ is less than .05%. It is estimated that within the next 5 to 10 years Walpole Island will have 0 first-language speakers of the Anishinaabemowin language.
Looking in from the outside, it is evident that 99% of the community can and should do more to establish the Anishinaabemowin language as a top priority. However, the unfortunate reality is there are so many systemic problems and a lack of secured core funding as it is, people of Walpole Island (known as ‘Anishinaabeg’) have forgotten or have never realized the importance and value of Anishinaabemowin as it relates to cultural identity.
Stories from elders describe how Indigenous languages are intertwined with culture, they cannot be separated. The oracy passed down from ancestors, generation upon generation, reiterates an understanding of a people's existence, in relation to creation. A traditional governance system was practiced to help guide decisions, looking seven generations ahead.
"We are few, doing everything we can to rekindle our way of life with the understanding that the Anishinaabe language is the foundation and key to our existence with identity intact." Mino Giizhgad.
Community language advocate Mino Giizhgad started a registered Not-For-Profit Corporation called “Nwewnan Sasaang” and secured the purchase of Walpole Island’s first fully dedicated language learning facility. Nwewnan Sasaang references language nest (Literal meaning: Sounds from the nest), and just as young fledglings are fed directly from the mouths of their mothers, Anishinaabe language is fed into the ears of our 2 to 5-year-old children from the mouths of the Anishinaabe language speakers around them. At Nwewnan Sasaang children will discover the world through a culturally and age-level appropriate curriculum based on Anishinaabe language, culture, and philosophy in a safe and secure environment.
Due to a lack of secured core funding for operations, Nwewnan Sasaang is seeking donations to help pay off the remaining building mortgage balance.
Help us in our journey that confirms ‘Every Child Matters,’ recognizing the language and cultural genocide affiliated with Indian Residential Schools. Help us help our children speak their ancestral language again, as their first language.
Gchi-miigwech gaa-naadmaagoyeg ga kina! (Big-thanks for all your help/support!)
* Any funds remaining after the goal is reached, will be used towards activities that support Nwewnan Sasaang goals and objectives. I.e., Elder honoraria, facility equipment, resource materials development, etc.