Indigenous Language Teaching

Michif is the endangered orally-based language of the Métis people. Perhaps only 5-10% of the population are able to speak the language, with the majority being elders. The Gabriel Dumont Institute's mandate is to promote and preserve Métis culture, and therefore has been developing resources that allow people to hear and read the language.

This online dictionary features over 11,500 translations and audio pronunciations by Michif-language expert Norman Fleury. A search tool allows users to look up the English word to find the Michif translations. This project was developed by the Gabriel Dumont Institute, and was funded through the Department of Canadian Heritage's Aboriginal Languages Initiative.

FREELANG is an online dictionary that can be downloaded on your computer for free or used online. Also available as an Android App. Reserve look up is available, you can search for Ojibwe words in English or English words in Ojibwe.

Anishinaabemowin (and closely related languages) is the second most widely spoken Native language in Canada. The people and language go under many English names: Ojibway, Ojibwa, Ojibwe, Chippewa, etc. Anishinaabe is the appropriate Native name, although there are spelling and pronunciation variants. The language is spoken throughout Ontario, southern Manitoba, eastern Saskatchewan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Michigan, basically the area surrounding the Great Lakes, and west of that region. Ojibway is often grouped together with Odawa as well as other Algonquian languages which are quite similar, including: Potawatomi, Algonquin, and Oji-Cree. (From website introduction)

Anishininimowin or Oji-Cree (sometimes called Severn Ojibway) is closely related to the Ojibway language, but has a different literary tradition based in Cree, and several phonological and grammatical differences. This nation has communities throughout north-western Ontario (with the Cree to the north and Ojibway to the south) and at Island Lake in Manitoba. Oji-Cree is often grouped together with Ojibway and related languages. (From website introduction).

Written by Frederic Baraga. From title, "This Language is Spoken by the Chippewa Indians, as also by the Otawas, Potawatamis and Algonquins, with Little Difference. For the Use of Missionaries, and Other Persons Living Among the Above Mentioned Indians". Print version also available in Education Library Reference Collection ED REF 497.333 B28 1973