Doing Immersion Differently

Teaching and Learning Anishinaabemowin in Immersion Settings

These language learning kits were created in collaboration with Anishinaabemowin language teachers, Anishinaabe language learners, MICEC Staff and a team of consultants and expert. We wanted to create a functional take-home resource for language teachers and students that is accessible for both online and in-person learning.

Materials included in these kits are immersion-learning philosophy, language learning games and activities, plus both audio and visual aids. Each resource includes a suggested time-frame, a list of materials needed, overview of the activity, learning objectives, steps to follow, as well as adaptation idea.

Immersion learning is a language-learning philosophy that emphasizes the importance of immersing the learners in the target language as much as possible in order to enhance the learners fluency and comfortability in the language. In immersion learning, Anishinaabemowin is more than the subject of the lesson, it is the language of instruction. Creating and maintaining immersion contexts is challenging as increasingly language learners outnumber language speakers. These kits utilize immersion language philosophy so we encourage teachers to give instructions in the language as much as possible, in order to build student confidence and efficacy in the language.

These language-learning kits were developed in the spirit of passing down Anishinaabemowin to future generations. When we learn our language, we develop a strong sense of self, an understanding of our relationships to each other and a deep understanding of belonging in the world. We wish you the best on your language learning journey! Please feel free to share these kits with your kids, families and communities at no cost. Our goal is to provide and highlight resources that enable every language speaker to become a teacher and for every language learner to become a language speaker.

Download the Doing Immersion Differently Project Overview here.

Kits, activities and resources have been created to support many different levels of learners, please click on the kit that interests you to learn more:

We give thanks to all of the committed teachers, speakers and learners who guided and inspired the work of this project.

Teachers Cohort

Pat Ningewance, Teacher
Aandeg Muldrew, Facilitator
Gloria Barker
Wanda Barker
Dennis Chartrand
Tom Favel
Tiffany Langan
Virginia Pateman
Roger Roulette
Corey Whitford

Advanced Learners Cohort #1

Aandeg Muldrew, Teacher
Virginia Pateman, Facilitator
Gabrielle Farrell
Ozaawibinesii (Brandon Gaudette)
Binesigichidaakwe (Kate McDonald)
Brigitte Neganigwane
Ozten Paul
Bimikawe (Kevin Ritchie)
Westin Sutherland
Kale Swampy
Laura Winter

Advanced Learners Cohort #2

Pat Ningewance, Teacher
Virginia Pateman, Facilitator
Perry Bebamash
Ozaawibinesii (Brandon Gaudette)
Tiffany Langan
Quinn Meawasige
Waagesiniwikwe (Monique Paulson)

Advanced Learners Cohort #3

Tiffany Langan, Co-Teacher
Virginia Pateman, Co-Teacher
Ozaawibinesii (Brandon Gaudette)
Quinn Meawasige
Waagesiniwikwe (Monique Paulson)

Advanced Learners: Cohort #4

Pebaamibines (Dennis Jones) Teacher
Waapishki Kiisis Ikwe (Mindy Meyers) Co-Teacher
Binesigichidaakwe (Kate McDonald)
Luke Hildebrand
Giizizwedamok (Whitney Guimond)
Mooshkine Waasigek (Darcy Jones)
Waawaategiizhigook (Shannon King)

Kids: Akinoomoshin Wiigwam

Leland Bell, Akinoomaaged
Cotnee (Francis) Kaboni, Akinoomaaged
Mary Lou Manitowabi, Akinoomaaged
Julia Pegahmagabow, Niigaanizid
Davis Armstrong
Lex Armstrong
Tate Armstrong
Wren Zhawenim Gotts
Levi Hanninen
Cameron Manitowabi
Hope Manitowabi
Patience Manitowabi
Amikohns Petahtegoose
Jodi Armstrong
Forest-Rebecca Gotts
Ashley Manitowabi
Heather Manitowabi
Deanna Nebenionquit
Chuck Petahtegoose

Intermediate Learners: Cohort #1

Roger Roulette, Teacher
Virginia Pateman, Facilitator
Dawnis Kennedy
Noah Malazdrewicz
Anna Parenteau
Dené Sinclair

Intermediate Learners: Cohort #2

Dennis Chartrand, Teacher
Melba Laferine, Facilitator
Dawnis Kennedy
Binesigichidaakwe (Kate McDonald)
Anna Parenteau
Dené Sinclair

Intermediate Learners: Cohort #3

Wanda Barker, Teacher
Gloria Barker, Facilitator
Velma Ballantyne
Jeremy Barker
Hilda Kent
Jennifer Hume

Babies and Their Parents

Ariya and Logan with Shawna Olson & Preston Cleveland

The Doing Immersion Differently project logo was designed and created by Sadie-Pheonix Lavoie

About the logo: This graphic logo includes a circle of 5 Indigenous people of various ages sitting around an Elder giving a language lesson while outdoors. Graphic also includes a soaring eagle in the background. In the centre depicts an Elder woman wearing all white. This was intended to symbolize the white buffalo calf woman whom the Dakota people received ceremonies from, such as the Sundance, and was meant to connect the importance of our languages to practice our sacred ceremonies. The Eagle represents Love and is part of the Anishinaabe 7 clan system. Eagles soar the highest in the sky thus are recognized to be the closest to the Creator. It is also believed that if you spot an eagle it symbolizes one is on the right path or will be met with something that will lead them towards mino bimaadiziwin, the good life. Our languages are entwined with our environments and with who we are as Indigenous nations. Learning our traditional language is directly linked to reclaiming our sacred spaces and expresses the ways we respect the lands and waters.

About the artist: Sadie-Pheonix Lavoie is a Winnipeg-based Indigenous two-spirit artist that focuses on poetry, storytelling, freelance photography, graphic design, and painting.