EDIT: There's apparently free Ojibwa Language Classes being held tonight, through the end of the year on campus. I missed the first session, but I'm thinking of dropping by! o.o
ahh you're so lucky. I've been thinking about picking up my peoples language for a while, but we're so far removed from the tribes (geographically) an opportunity like that doesn't really spring up much. If I may inquire, whereabouts are you? Canada/Michiganish, right?
maaan so lucky!
I'm in Southeastern Michigan. If you'd like, our instructor linked
this website, which has lessons available on it, as well as pronunciation guides. I could also ask my instructor if he knows any teachers in your area as well. Just let me know.
The class was really neat... though apparently due to a mixup they scheduled a student board meeting in the room our instructor had booked tonight. I convinced the class to just sneak in, and if the group showed up we could relocate to the chairs around the fire in the hall (though they never did). Go go gadget gumption!
Our instructor grew up on a reservation, and shared a lot of his stories... about growing up under the occasionally abusive instruction of the Catholic Church (and how his parents were powerless to prevent it, since to interfere was illegal for them), about being the first Native American student enrolled alongside the first Black student (and how both of them were treated the same) all with great humor and kindness.
As for the actual lessons, I have plenty of homework. I was trying to get caught up, and learn pronunciation by listening tonight, but I'm also getting bits and pieces of prepositions, and sentence structure. I also learned the Ojibwa word for computer:
nanagadendamo-mkakons. He translated it roughly as "a box with a mind of its own". It's a really interesting and fun group... I can't wait until next week!