Anishinaabemowin

As Wikwemikong’s first language, Anishinbemowin is spoken and heard in every classroom at the Wiikwemkoong Junior School. We have four Anishinaabemowin Language Specialists (one for every two classes, grade 1-3; 8 classrooms in total). This provides substantially more direct and indirect Anishinaabemowin instruction for our students and staff. In addition to explicit Anishinaabemowin language lessons, the Anishinaabemowin Language Specialist co-plans with the regular classroom teacher to infuse Anishinaabek perspectives across the subject areas. 

Within Wikwemikong, we are fortunate to be home to the Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawotami people. There exist three distinct variations of language dialects within Wikwemikong based on the three fires people.   Therefore, special attention is given in the curriculum to the Native oral tradition and inviting speakers from the community and planning learning experiences that allow students to hear these speakers tell stories, legends and history and to learn songs.