The Language, Our Identity
Nena8itc ima ici takon omidinetcikinikak ima nena8itc anicinabekak ka ici taciketc. mi ima e ici takok icikic8e8in. Aca 8eckatc ki 8apiteiko ke inentaman e ici matisien. Mi 8eti kaki apitcitamo8atc kitci atiskatomo8atc eci anicinabeiek, mitci ocipikate nokom, anic ki mitci 8a8itamatiek otakina. Kekat eki 8anitcitcikatek kipi meckotcise akotciatik e piotisemakak kekon. Kipi cakosimin, kekat eki 8anatcitcikatek. Nokom opimiton sakokikapini. 8itamok kitci mack8esimakak kitci opickamakak kit’anicinape8inan.
At the centre of the mind, at the centre of each person, at the centre of the community, is language. For many moons, it has shaped how we think about life and how we see the world around us, giving us a shared and common vision. Through language, nothing in our minds is greater or smaller — everything comes together in a harmonious whole. It is we pass down our history and culture, first from one ear to the next, then through writing.
Sometimes imposed, sometimes silenced and banished, it has been weakened, punished, colonized, invaded by the words of another language, soiled by the mouths of another culture. Today, we must care for it, cleanse it with tenderness, and nurture it. It carries the nation’s hope, values, and autonomy. Let us restore its strength so it can lift our culture upward and present it proudly to the world.
Ojitodan – Let’s do and build something together
Since the International Year of Indigenous Languages (2019) and throughout the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032), Minwashin has been committed to finding long-term solutions to preserve Anicinabemowin and the knowledge woven into it, ensuring their vitality for generations to come. This commitment led us to undertake a major strategic planning process with members of the Anicinabek communities—the custodians of the Anicinabe language—which led to the large-scale initiative Ojitodan, meaning “Let’s Do and Build Something Together“. This strategic plan will be implemented from 2024 to 2028. Dedicated to Anicinabemowin research, transmission, and promotion, Ojitodan enables Minwashin and its partners to continue the essential work of healing, reclaiming, and restoring the language.
International Decade of Indigenous Languages (UNESCO)
Minwashin wishes to make revitalizing and protecting the Anicinabe language a priority in its actions for the years 2022-2032, like hundreds of organizations around the world. Because our language is an essential right, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to act and unite for this mission.
« Nit’anicinabe icita8inan odehi nit’icikice8in, ni kacka emitaman, kitci nepitci tak8ak ka ici netimiak, ka ici inapitamak enikokwakamigak, kitci miseiapitamak kitci manatcito8atc ka mamakatentakok acitc e icinagosiak nit’acinabe akinan. »
« Our language is the heart and soul of our culture as it allows us to communicate with one another, to perpetuate our concepts and worldview in a holistic manner while respecting the uniqueness and specific characteristics of our respective communities. Our language unites us and brings us together. »
