Browsing by Subject "Native American Language"

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    Language warriors: leaders in the Ojibwe language revitalization movement.
    (2011-04) Gresczyk, Richard A. Sr.
    This dissertation sought to find out about the Ojibwe language revitalization movement and its leaders. Twenty-one language warriors were asked to participate in this dissertation study and were interviewed twice more for an hour each. I gave them tobacco according to Ojibwe tradition, explained the purpose of my study and asked them to help me. Qualitative methods were followed. The Ojibwe language warriors described perspectives that are held by Ojibwes and non-Ojibwes regarding the Ojibwe language. They identified what conditions have inspired the Ojibwe language revitalization movement and the impact that it has had and is having on reservation communities and urban areas. The Ojibwe language warriors described their backgrounds and educational paths and identified what has been relevant in their education to the work they do now. They identified sources of inspiration, why they care about the Ojibwe language, and helpful resources and strategies. They described their experiences, their opportunities, barriers, and sacrifices, and their hopes and plans. The Ojibwe language warriors described ways that they develop other language warriors, what advice they have for them, where they will come from, and how they motivate others to speak Ojibwe. They described which leadership styles they preferred. They spoke about what knowledge, success, and power meant to them and what differences they perceive there are in Ojibwe and non-Native leadership. They identified leadership strategies, challenges, and their future tasks. Hopefully, this dissertation will be helpful to educational settings, tribal and state governments, funding agencies, and to other language warriors.
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    The teachings of our ancestors: a vision of Ojibwe language and culture revitalization for young children in the Red Cliff Community.
    (2009-06) Gokee-Rindal, Delores Ellen
    This study explores Ojibwe language and cultural knowledge for young tribal children (prenatal through age five) in Red Cliff, a small, rural Ojibwe reservation located in northern Wisconsin. Ojibwe language and culture in the Red Cliff community is severely threatened, with only one fluent speaker remaining whose first language is Ojibwe. In the context of language and culture loss, this study reviews the devastating effects of oppression and the history of American Indian education. Theories of language acquisition as well successful models of indigenous language and culture revitalization were examined. Tribal elders and community members with language and cultural knowledge were engaged in a collaborative process to explore what young Ojibwe children might know, learn, and understand about their language and culture. Their voices were heard, honored, and retold for the purpose of strengthening language and culture revitalization efforts in the community.