ANI-ANISHINAABEWAADIZING (Becoming Indigenous): Healing from Sustained Cultural Genocide and Linguicide through Ojibwe Language World View

Intergenerational transmission of culture and language across Native American communities in the United States has been obstructed by more than 520 years of sustained cultural genocide and attempts of linguicide which, in turn, inflicted intergenerational trauma that still impacts Native American communities today. This article intentionally bridges understandings of language revitalization efforts in a North American Ojibwe community employing Indigenous research methods. The community efforts are reflected upon by an Ojibwe Elder and longtime language teacher, which is then responded to by two colleagues and friends of the Elder who come from a Western perspective. This “two-eyed” approach illustrates the importance of Indigenization in education and communities as a process of truth, reconciliation, and healing after genocide. Once the historical context is given, the Elder's reflections of language revitalization are understood through mapping the Medicine Wheel and as having mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical impacts. Further, the work of the community to reclaim and recenter the schools and community to the Ojibwe worldview is viewed as weaving together the Seven Grandfather Teachings of Love, Respect, Honesty, Truth, Wisdom, Humility, and Bravery as acts of resistance to continued actions of the dominant US culture that degrade and dishonor Native American nations and communities.