Inner-City Students Embrace Online Indigenous Language Classes

Students and families in Winnipeg are gaining increased access to Indigenous language education through a new online initiative. The Winnipeg School Division is launching free evening classes this winter, aimed at promoting languages such as Ininiw (Cree), Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwa), and Michif. This effort responds to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted traditional learning methods.

Rob Riel, assistant superintendent of Indigenous education, stated, “After COVID, we said, ‘If teaching online worked, why not try this?’ We’re finally getting around to it.” The program will broadcast live lessons to various schools and community members, allowing for a broader reach than previous in-person sessions.

Innovative Learning Model

Over the next two months, a dozen schools will serve as satellite classrooms, screening real-time lessons while providing a supportive environment for participants. Administrators and community support workers will facilitate the sessions, ensuring participants have the opportunity to practice their language skills in a communal setting. Schools involved in this initiative include Niji Mahkwa, Kent Road, and Lord Selkirk, among others.

The program is designed to be as accessible as possible, with lessons set to occur from 16:30 to 18:00 on Wednesdays. Carmen Smith, a teacher originally from the Chemawawin Cree Nation, will lead classes remotely from Sisler High School. Smith emphasizes the importance of cultural practices, starting her sessions with a smudge to create a welcoming atmosphere. “Feeding our spirit by smudging opens up our hearts, our minds,” she noted.

Smith’s introductory course will cover essential vocabulary, including numbers, weekdays, and common phrases for everyday use. She reported that previous classes attracted between 12 to 15 participants of various ages, from toddlers to teachers. “They shared that they wanted to learn who they are, where they come from, and starting to learn the basic language would help them,” Smith said.

Addressing Language Preservation

According to Desi-Rae Anderson, service director of Indigenous education for the Winnipeg School Division, these classes “ignite the spirit of the language in the learners.” She highlights that such initiatives are crucial for Indigenous youth, helping them understand their identity and engage with their families.

The demand for Indigenous language education is significant, given that approximately 30 percent of the Winnipeg School Division’s student population identifies as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit. Yet, only a small fraction of its 31,000 students speak an Indigenous language at home. The latest demographic report indicates that 3.2 percent of households speak an Ojibwa dialect, while Cree and Oji-Cree are spoken in 1.2 percent of households.

“We need to act on this and we need to act on this learning swiftly because our languages are at risk,” Anderson stressed.

Registration for these classes is open to all residents, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. The program aims to create a supportive community of learners while addressing the urgent need to preserve Indigenous languages for future generations. The next round of classes begins on February 11, 2024, coinciding with the launch of new Ojibwa and Michif programs.

Through these innovative online learning options, the Winnipeg School Division is making strides in promoting Indigenous languages, ensuring that essential cultural knowledge is passed down and celebrated within the community.