Sasiwaans Students Wish You a Miigwetch Christmas 12-16-16

Joseph V. Sowmick - December 16, 2016

Team Observer was on location on Dec. 15 where the Sasiwaans Immersion School performed their annual Christmas program to a packed Eagles Nest Tribal Gym.  ALRD Anishinaabe Outreach Language Specialist Isabelle Osawamick served as emcee and introduced the young Ojibwe speakers at the event.

“Kina Gego Gii-nishin (Everything went well.)  We saw many smiling faces.  It was great to see staff working together to make this yearly event be a fun time for all. Children sang Anishinaabemowin songs.  The little people on stage are the future Anishinaabemowin speakers of Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan”.  

ALRD Interim Director Misty Pelcher coordinated the event and made sure everything from the performances, stage decorations, gym set up and food service went smoothly.  “You never know what you are going to get when you put a group of 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, or 4-5-year-olds on a stage and we were delighted with the performances of Sasiwaans students.  Laughter, song, and dance filled the Sasiwaans classrooms Monday through Thursday and this month the focus has been on holiday cheer,” Pelcher said.   “It was a fantastic night of performances and the students and their parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles really enjoyed themselves.”

Sasiwaans classes that performed on the Eagles Nest stage were Megisiisag (Little Eagles) 2-year-olds, Pichiinsag (Little Robins) 3-year-olds and the Maangoonsag (Little Loons) 4-and 5-year-olds.  Sasiwaans prides itself on providing a safe and fun environment for children from 24 months to 5 years old to learn Ojibwe language. At Sasiwaans, the primary language instructors and fluent speakers are Larry Kimewan, Margaret Flamand, Edward Trudeau and Danita Mandamin.

 

“I would like to say chi-miigwetch to all our staff and our Anishinaabemowin apprentices Alicia Dudek, Carrie Heron and Preston Chippeway for being there to assist our students on stage,” Pelcher said. “Absent were Primary Language Specialist Edward Trudeau and Language Apprentice Carrie Wemigwans, both whom have been valued contributors to the students’ performance tonight.”