(February 27, 2018) The Fourth Annual Anishinaabemowin (Language Bowl) was the largest event to date with over 80 students participating in the friendly competition. Teams of students in grades 1- 6 from schools around the area shared their knowledge of the Ojibway Language. Cycling through eight different stations, students had a chance to practice over 200 Ojibway words.
Kenora Catholic partnered with Bimose Tribal Council to host the event at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
Pat Copenace, Anishinaabe and Language Cultural Specialist for the Bimose Tribal Council was pleased with the competition. "The Anishinaabemowin was a huge success today and bigger and better than last year. All of our students did extremely well and I'm proud that the children know the language."
Baibombeh Anishinaabe School came in first place, Pope John Paul II School came in second place and Ojibway Heritage School came in third place.
Alex Ogemah, a Grade 4 student, was part of the Pope John Paul II School Team. "We get to go to different tables and learn different Ojibway words and it's a lot of fun. This is my second time at the Language Bowl." When Alex was asked which Ojibway word he'd like to share he said "Adoopowinaak," meaning, table.
"This event helps promote the language," says Copenace. "Everything we do in our culture involves the language. It is important that our students know the language so they know who they are because it is part of their identity. Our language is interconnected to everything we do so it's important that children know the language and are exposed to it."
Teams of students came from Wabshki Penasi School from Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Migisi Sahgaigan School from Eagle Lake, David Kejick School from Shoal Lake #39 First Nation, Ojibway Heritage School from Shoal Lake #40 First Nation, Mizhakiiwetung Memorial School from Wabseemoong Independent Nations, Baibombeh Anishinabe School from Naotkamegwanning First Nation, Kiizhik School and Pope John Paul II School.
Thank you to the Bimose Tribal Council for organizing the event; all the area schools for participating and St. Thomas Aquinas High School for hosting the event.