Anishinaabe Language & Culture Camp

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians invites you to the 16th Annual Anishinaabe Family Language/Culture Camp - July 24, 25, 26, 2009

Click here to watch a slide show of the 2007 Language & Culture Camp (Flash video with audio).

Click here to read the testimonials from the 2007
Language Camp.

Check out a sample schedule of events from last year's very sucessful event.

Everywhere we go upon our homeland, we are now forced to speak in a language that is not our own. Everywhere we go, we read a language that is not our own. And hear a language that is not our own. I started Language Camp about 14 years ago, because I wanted to bring people together to enjoy Anishinaabemowin. To have an event where everyone could study Anishinaabemowin and to learn the language. People that attend this event come year after year, some come from as far away as California, Florida, Oklahoma and Ontario. Our Language Camp features presenters, entertainers, musicians, language teachers, spiritual teachers, dancers and singers. At this event our language – Anishinaabemowin - is first. You hear it, read it and you speak it. Many wonderful things have taken place at past Language Camps.

Click for another Language and Culture Camp video... (Windows media format)

Bindaakendan. Giishpin kegoo wiikwedweyin. Bignoonshin maage gdabiijibiimo.
kpheasant@lrboi.com - (231) 398-6892

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians invites you to the 16th Annual Anishinaabe Family Language/Culture Camp

Celebrating the unity of our language and culture. Bring your nation flag and a gift for the giveaway. Meals are provided and there is no registration fee.

Aanii piish                                  Wenesh pii
Manistee Mi.                             July 24, 25, 26, 2009

Some presentations are: Cultural teachings, language learning, pipe teachings, natural medicines, drum making, hoop dancing, flute playing, basket making, hide tanning and games. These presentations and workshops are for all ages. We politely ask that English be the second language used at this camp. These presentations will be in both English and Anishinaabemowin. First come, first serve for the camping area. This great event will take place at the corner of M22 and US 31 across from the Casino. There are showers on site.

Sponsored by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians of the
Anishinaabe Nation and the Little River Casino Resort

For more information please contact
Kenny Neganigwane Pheasant
kpheasant@lrboi.com
231-933-4406 or 231-590-1187
or Terri Raczkowski at 231-398-6891

Anishinaabe Language & Culture Camp
Sample schedule from 2008

Click here for a printable schedule...

Friday July 25
	Presenter	Presentation Title	Tent #
Sunrise Ceremony
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Opening
		Ndinimikaagoom	1
9:15	Kelly Church	Book marks out of ash & sweet grass	1
	Dan Bissell	Spiritual significance of Eagle feathers	2
	Martin Reinhardt	Treaties on Mi. Indian education	3
	Margaret & Howard	Ikidowaanhsan (little words)	4
	Carrie Leaureaux	Bracelet making & game	5*
10:45	Leon Valliere	Let’s help one another	1
	Judy Pamp	Cradle board workshop	2
	Doris Boissoneau	Learn 10 short phrases	3
	John Koon	Black ash basket making	4
	Carla McFall	Eshkiniigijik(teens)	5*
12:00	Lunch		1
1:15	Helen Roy	Activity-based workshop	1
Orion Corbiere	Context of Anishinaabemowin	2
	Lisa Tiger	Mother, daughter & medicine woman	3
	Arlinda Stonefish	Connecting to the creator	4
	Sammie Dyal	Making a keychain	5*
2:45	Isadore Toulouse	Anishinaabemtooshin pane	1
	Margaret & Howard	Aambe niimdaa (Lets dance)	2
	April Lindala	Making rosette beaded ear rings	3
	Shirley Brauker	Pottery art	4
	Doreen Trudeau	Eshkiniigijik(teens)	5*
4:00	The Pheasants	Next Language camp	1
5:00	Dinner		1
7:00	Welcome address		1
	Talent show		1

Saturday July 26
	Presenter	Presentation title	Tent #
Sunrise Ceremony
8:00 Breakfast
9:15	Orion Corbiere	Dialogue	1
	Judy Pamp	Cradle board workshop	2
	John Koon	Black ash basket making	3
	Shirley Brauker	Painted stones	4
	Sammie Dyal	Fuse beads	5*
10:45	Helen Roy	Scenario Re-enactments	1
	Doris Boissoneau	Medicine wheel teachings	2
	Marty Reinhardt	Treaties on Mi. Indian education	3
	April Lindala	Making rosette beaded ear rings	4
	Doreen Trudeau	Eshkiniigijik(teens)	5*
12:00	Lunch		1
1:15	Orion Corbiere	Context of Anishinaabemowin	1
	Leon Valliere	Changing verbs to nouns	2
	Lisa Tiger	Good health	3
	Kelly Church	Birch bark biting	4
	Carrie Leaureaux	Nbakanaage	5*
2:45	Isadore Toulouse	Resources & dialects	1
	Dan Bissell	Harvesting sweet grass	2
	Arlinda Stonefish	Connecting to the creator	3
	Margaret & Howard	Aambe niimdaa (let’s dance)	4
	Carla McFall	Eshkiniigijik(teens)	5*
4:00	Kenit, Jeremiah, Trisha	Noozwin manidookewin
5:00	Dinner		1
7:00	Jiingtamok

Sunday July 27
	Presenter	Presentation title	Tent #
Sunrise Ceremony
8:00	Breakfast
9:15	Doris Boissoneau	Medicine wheel teachings	1
	Isadore Toulouse	Anshinaabemtooshin pane	2
	Judy Pamp	Cradleboard workshop	3
	John Koon	Black ash basket making	4
	Carla & Doreen	Eshkiniigijik (teens)	5*
10:45	Leon Valliere	Changing verbs to nouns	1
	Helen Roy	Scenario Re-enactments	2
	Kelly Church	Birch bark biting	3
	Lisa Tiger	Mother, daughter, medicine woman	4
	Carrie & Sammie	Nbakanaage	5*
12:00	Lunch		1
1:00	Giveaway
gaabizhaayik
Bipskaabiik ngopeboongaak miinawa, gaabaabaabiigoom

Click here for a printable schedule...

Testimonials from participants of the 2007 Language Camp

• I feel like I am on Indian Cloud Nine which carries me through until the next language camp. Wonderful people, educational, spiritual and a mind expanding experience.
• I had a fabulous time. It was great to be around everyone speaking our native language and learning about our culture. Chi miigwech.
• Miigwech for providing my family with the opportunity to learn more about our language in a fun and good way. Thank your Ogema for funding this in an effort to preserve and reclaim our language.
• I’ve been to other Anishinabeg language camps; this was the best one I have ever attended.
• Great time. Looking forward to coming every year. Excellent family time we spent together. Thanks for everything.
• I had a really good enjoyable time. Friendly atmosphere, good music. Enjoyed the Anishinaabemowin being used in the presentations.
• Very well run camp. Enjoyed the how-to presentations. All of the workshops that I attended were exceptional.
• I only wish it was more than once a year.
• Look forward to it every year.
• I enjoyed the family community atmosphere. We look forward to next year. There was a good mix of classes, both language and culture. We enjoyed the hands-on workshops. The speakers this year were excellent.
• It was wonderful!! This was and awesome experience! Everyone so nice and friendly. Excellent classes. The food was great, the area and accommodations were beautiful and the whole experience was wonderful! I will be back!! Chi miigwech.
• I love language camp. I come every year I know this must be a lot of work for you all, but it would be nice if it were longer.
• I enjoyed every class I took. The presenters did a fantastic job. Keep up the good work. I’m thinking about next year already.
• My husband and I simply enjoy this language camp. Outstanding work, excellent food. There should be more language camp. Thanks for a great job.
• It was great and I learned a lot. I must commend the staff on the cleanliness of the facilities, plus the restrooms were always well stocked.
• Our beautiful language//each word has a deep meaning reflecting of the beauty, intelligence, and reverence for all things of the Anishinaabeg. Out language is intangible, untouchable, unseen and involves and opening of the heart with the realization that all things are interdependent. Aambe maajtaadaa wii-nishnaabemying. Our language contains all of the words we need to express the ideas and true feeling in our histories, our stories, our spirituality, our traditions and our values.
• Great week-end. I’m so pleased I came. Everything was very well organized.
• Excellent language camp. I plan on coming back next year again. I enjoyed it. The presenters were excellent.
• I am very pleased to  have the opportunity to attend anishinaabe language and culture camp this year. In the future if I’m able I’ll come back.
• I really enjoyed every minute of the camp. I really enjoyed visiting with all my friends.
• Extremely well done. Presenters knowledgeable. Great to be with my people.
• Everything went well and I enjoyed it immensely. Miigwech.
• I just love it here. Lots of people. Visit, meet new friends

Sponsored by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
of the Anishinaabe Nation

For more information please contact
Kenny Neganigwane Pheasant
kpheasant@lrboi.com
231-933-4406 or 231-590-1187
or Terri Raczkowski at 231-398-6891