The Osawamick family from Wikwemikong is well known across Anishinaabe territory as language keepers.
And now they have a new learning centre.
Osawamick G’Tigaaning is a place to come and be immersed in language and culture.
“It felt really good to have my 100-, 100-year-old great aunt here today to celebrate with us,” said great auntie Liz Osawamick Debassige. “Because she grew up in this house, and I remember spending time in this house as well and sleeping here as a child.
“So it had lot of memories having the language house here.”
The newly renovated house and freshly built cabins are the dream of Beverly Naokwegijig, who inherited the property and some money from her uncle.
“I feel like anishinaabemowin (the Ojibwa language) is only to be taught; just to be taught the native language over here,” she said.
Ontario regional Chief Glen Hare attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and called on the federal government to fund more immersion programs.
“This is one of many, I hope, because we love our language,” he said
The language school, which has a Facebook page, is open to anyone interested in anishinaabemowin immersion.
