Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Ceremonial Dance
Saturday I attended the ikwe dewe'igan ceremony. There were many people in attendance. At this dance, there were special visitors from Prairie Island Community, Sisseton and Fort Peck. There has been some cross culture sharing about the ikwe dewe'igan and the vistors wanted to participate in the ceremonial dance. The Bwaan presented a gift of a horse to the drum keepers. The horse was covered with blanket gifts and the Bwaan sang songs as the horse was lead to the circle outside of the dance hall. They smoke the pipe and talked about how it has been over 100 years since this type of gathering has happened.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Speech
I am slowly trying to organize myself for my speech. Since I am away from home again; this time I am in Phoenix, Arizona to promote Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations. Hopefully, I can generate a few sponsors for our conference July 31-August 2, 2009 here in Phoenix at the Radisson Fort McDowell.
Mary Hermes is one of our speakers on Language Revitalization. Her panel was a high point of last year's conference.
BIG DRUM
I attended the Big Drum ceremony in Mille Lacs. The Drum chiefs are Ralph Pewaush and Andy Mitchell. What was interesting about this dance, was that Henry Flocken spoke to us (in English and some Ojibwe). Henry was wearing a red tie around his arm. I was going to ask Henry if I could write about this on this blog but he left before I had a chance to obtain permission so I hope it is OK. Henry talked about a dream he had many, many years ago and never understood what the dream meant. Though out all of these years, he would think about the dream but still didn't understand what his message was. Finally he has figured it out and that was the reason he was wearing the red band around his arm. I hope that I describe this correctly. Language revitalization is very important at this time and the speaker have to identify themselves so others will know that they as speakers are available to teach the language to others. Each of these speakers should wear a red band around their right arm to represent that they are a part of this language society.
Earlier in the day, Dave Matrious asked me how my master's program was progressing and I talked about my difficulty with the language and that it would be awhile for me to understand and speak the language and Dave mentioned that he is considering attending UMD in the fall to pursue his bachelor's degree focusing on the language. Dave wants to teach the history and culture aspect of the language. He is currently doing this with the local schools. Of course, now that I have read Chapter 8 of Hadley, I see how Dave's goal is essential to the teaching of language. Even though I am slow with my own Ojibwe learning, I am interested on how others are trying or making on impact on saving the language.
I am sure I will comment on this further.
Mary Hermes is one of our speakers on Language Revitalization. Her panel was a high point of last year's conference.
BIG DRUM
I attended the Big Drum ceremony in Mille Lacs. The Drum chiefs are Ralph Pewaush and Andy Mitchell. What was interesting about this dance, was that Henry Flocken spoke to us (in English and some Ojibwe). Henry was wearing a red tie around his arm. I was going to ask Henry if I could write about this on this blog but he left before I had a chance to obtain permission so I hope it is OK. Henry talked about a dream he had many, many years ago and never understood what the dream meant. Though out all of these years, he would think about the dream but still didn't understand what his message was. Finally he has figured it out and that was the reason he was wearing the red band around his arm. I hope that I describe this correctly. Language revitalization is very important at this time and the speaker have to identify themselves so others will know that they as speakers are available to teach the language to others. Each of these speakers should wear a red band around their right arm to represent that they are a part of this language society.
Earlier in the day, Dave Matrious asked me how my master's program was progressing and I talked about my difficulty with the language and that it would be awhile for me to understand and speak the language and Dave mentioned that he is considering attending UMD in the fall to pursue his bachelor's degree focusing on the language. Dave wants to teach the history and culture aspect of the language. He is currently doing this with the local schools. Of course, now that I have read Chapter 8 of Hadley, I see how Dave's goal is essential to the teaching of language. Even though I am slow with my own Ojibwe learning, I am interested on how others are trying or making on impact on saving the language.
I am sure I will comment on this further.
Friday, April 10, 2009
UM Connect
I still have not been able to access the UM Connect. Because I didn't have speaker capability on this computer, I finally purchased a speaker. I also purchased the broadband capability with my telephone carrier. It is a little faster but I still can't access the UM Connect and it is frustrating. My home is too far off the beaten path. I feel like I am way behind. My speech is coming along slowly.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
I have been in Washington, DC this past week. I got home on Saturday and attended the ceremonial dance in East Lake. It was good to see many people in attendance.
I was in DC on behalf of Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations and I along with two other board members visited offices of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA), National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Interior. On Wednesday evening, I was able to attend a Democratic National Committee event with Tony Bennett (I left my heart in San Francisco) and most importantly our President Obama was in attendance and gave a speech. That was an exciting evening.
On our visits, Lillian Sparks, Executive Director, of NIEA stated that language revitalization is a priority of NIEA. I mentioned Ojibwe.com but she had not heard of that program. I plan to provide this information to Mary Hermes.
At the meeting with the Department of Interior, WEWIN's objective was to talk about women-owned businesses. What was interesting about this meeting, is that in the mist of talking business, the Chief of this economic development division start talking about the Smith River tribe from California. This tribe was in to visit recently and wanted economic development dollars to purchase Rosetta for their language. Apparently, this tribe has three speakers left and they want to save the language. Wow! I was shocked that this chief would talk about this when we were there to talk women owned businesses. Then of course I had to talk about Ojibwe.com (not that I know any details about it) but will pass on the information to Mary Hermes. I hope that the Smith River Tribe finds a way to save the language before they lose any of their three speakers.
I was in DC on behalf of Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations and I along with two other board members visited offices of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA), National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Interior. On Wednesday evening, I was able to attend a Democratic National Committee event with Tony Bennett (I left my heart in San Francisco) and most importantly our President Obama was in attendance and gave a speech. That was an exciting evening.
On our visits, Lillian Sparks, Executive Director, of NIEA stated that language revitalization is a priority of NIEA. I mentioned Ojibwe.com but she had not heard of that program. I plan to provide this information to Mary Hermes.
At the meeting with the Department of Interior, WEWIN's objective was to talk about women-owned businesses. What was interesting about this meeting, is that in the mist of talking business, the Chief of this economic development division start talking about the Smith River tribe from California. This tribe was in to visit recently and wanted economic development dollars to purchase Rosetta for their language. Apparently, this tribe has three speakers left and they want to save the language. Wow! I was shocked that this chief would talk about this when we were there to talk women owned businesses. Then of course I had to talk about Ojibwe.com (not that I know any details about it) but will pass on the information to Mary Hermes. I hope that the Smith River Tribe finds a way to save the language before they lose any of their three speakers.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Which of the main five hypotheses do you agree with?
Which of the main five hypotheses do you agree with?
I most agree with hypotheses 4. "Instruction should be responsive to the affective as well as the cognitive needs of students, and their different personalities, preferences, and learning styles should be taken into account."
One teaching process does not meet the need of each and every student. I realize that a teacher would try to perfect his/her teaching style and may get set in his/her way. Any teaching process will have superior students versus students that can't adapt to that teaching style. Phyllis has perfected her teaching style where her students are enjoying the language and therefore learning. We need more teachers like Phyllis.
Once, I watched a student in a class. I could see once the discussion turned to the application of the language that this student lost interest and zoned out. Out came the phone and the texting started. I thought how would I as a teacher brought that student back. Adults are different because they are in class to actually learn. But what about a younger student who is required to be in class like or not, it is important to know the students.
As I study each hypotheses, each have a place in the learning of the language.
Hypotheses 1 - 5:
1. A student should be able to understand and speak the language beyond his/her time in class. I think about English. Most Americans speak English but how many know the rules of English? If we were fluent in our language, would be be studying the rules or just speak the language?
2. I think about the statement that was made in class that we only hear the language in class or in ceremony. Most of the students would only speak in class but not necessarily at ceremony. In my community, one could go to the Elder center and hear and have the opportunity to converse in our language. Media is important for that purpose, an individual can study independently and hear the language whenever he/she chooses. First speakers are important to teach the language because the language is authentic and the opportunity to have creative dialog is greater instead of memorizing and speaking word lists.
3. Another statement in class is that language is full of mistakes and there are few that speak the language in an excellent manner. When teaching the language, I agreee that one goal would be to produce accuracy. Jackie talked about if you have not mastered your dominant language would you be able to master a second language. In one of the post, one of our tribal cohort talked about learning to spell miigwech correctly and for a long time, this student used a differently spelling and now appreciated having the correct knowledge. With phonetic spelling, one word will be spelled in many different ways and therefore many different pronuncations. Therefore the development of accuracy is very important.
5. I think this hypotheses is equally important. To know the way of life of a community is very important. Those old ladies in a community are very adamant about following the teachings (the do's and don'ts). There are certain practices that you would never know if you don't have a knowledge of the community. Even in my community, many of our families that don't know what to do at ceremonies and don't attend or practice because they are afraid to admit that they know what to do.
I most agree with hypotheses 4. "Instruction should be responsive to the affective as well as the cognitive needs of students, and their different personalities, preferences, and learning styles should be taken into account."
One teaching process does not meet the need of each and every student. I realize that a teacher would try to perfect his/her teaching style and may get set in his/her way. Any teaching process will have superior students versus students that can't adapt to that teaching style. Phyllis has perfected her teaching style where her students are enjoying the language and therefore learning. We need more teachers like Phyllis.
Once, I watched a student in a class. I could see once the discussion turned to the application of the language that this student lost interest and zoned out. Out came the phone and the texting started. I thought how would I as a teacher brought that student back. Adults are different because they are in class to actually learn. But what about a younger student who is required to be in class like or not, it is important to know the students.
As I study each hypotheses, each have a place in the learning of the language.
Hypotheses 1 - 5:
1. A student should be able to understand and speak the language beyond his/her time in class. I think about English. Most Americans speak English but how many know the rules of English? If we were fluent in our language, would be be studying the rules or just speak the language?
2. I think about the statement that was made in class that we only hear the language in class or in ceremony. Most of the students would only speak in class but not necessarily at ceremony. In my community, one could go to the Elder center and hear and have the opportunity to converse in our language. Media is important for that purpose, an individual can study independently and hear the language whenever he/she chooses. First speakers are important to teach the language because the language is authentic and the opportunity to have creative dialog is greater instead of memorizing and speaking word lists.
3. Another statement in class is that language is full of mistakes and there are few that speak the language in an excellent manner. When teaching the language, I agreee that one goal would be to produce accuracy. Jackie talked about if you have not mastered your dominant language would you be able to master a second language. In one of the post, one of our tribal cohort talked about learning to spell miigwech correctly and for a long time, this student used a differently spelling and now appreciated having the correct knowledge. With phonetic spelling, one word will be spelled in many different ways and therefore many different pronuncations. Therefore the development of accuracy is very important.
5. I think this hypotheses is equally important. To know the way of life of a community is very important. Those old ladies in a community are very adamant about following the teachings (the do's and don'ts). There are certain practices that you would never know if you don't have a knowledge of the community. Even in my community, many of our families that don't know what to do at ceremonies and don't attend or practice because they are afraid to admit that they know what to do.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Elder Movie
I spent a couple hours with the Elder movie. When I did the word exercises, I would press the button too fast and miss my opportunity to enter the spelling of the word and for my first test, I only received 51 percent. I haven't been able to record my voice. I'll need some help with that exercise. It is probably something very simple that I am not doing. I'll find out tomorrow when I call my son.
The word eya'. When I entered that word, it said it was incorrect. Maybe it should have been Eya'.
The word eya'. When I entered that word, it said it was incorrect. Maybe it should have been Eya'.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Weekend Class
I agree with Phyliss that Brian put the Hadley Test into perspective for me as well. I won't mind reading the text now.
The weekend flew by for me. The discussion from all of you were inspiring and I left motivated. I rushed out because I wanted to try to pick my mother up for bingo before 2:00 p.m. We made it.
The weekend flew by for me. The discussion from all of you were inspiring and I left motivated. I rushed out because I wanted to try to pick my mother up for bingo before 2:00 p.m. We made it.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)