Peguis Book Project
How Peguis First Nation Embraced the 'Oshi-ishkonigan' Handbook to Strenghten Ojibwe Anishinaabemowin Language
Project Timeline
BACKGROUND
The Ojibwe language, known for its precision, descriptiveness, and visual appeal, is spoken by more than 200,000 people across the United States and Canada. It is considered one of the greatest treasures of the Ojibwe people's cultural heritage. The Peguis Ojibwe Handbook Collection, which aims to support language education and encourage new speakers, serves as a vital resource in the preservation and revitalization of this language.
THE CHALLENGE
The preservation and revitalization of Indigenous languages are essential for maintaining cultural identity and heritage, particularly among younger generations. For the Peguis First Nation, it is crucial that children learn and embrace the Ojibwe Anishinaabemowin language. Recognizing this need, the Peguis School Board sought to develop engaging educational materials that would teach the language and also foster a deep connection to cultural roots. The challenge was to create a series of eight children’s books titled Oshi-ishkonigan Anishinaabemowin that were both visually captivating and linguistically accurate. Adding to the complexity was the tight deadline—these resources needed to be completed and ready for use within less than two months, aligning with the end of the school year.
THE OPPORTUNITY
We saw an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the community through this project. By leveraging our expertise in design, illustration, and animation, we aimed to create a set of children's books that would serve as educational and also as a source of pride for the Peguis First Nation. Our mission was to contribute to the preservation of the Ojibwe Anishinaabemowin language by making it accessible and engaging for the youngest members of the community, while also ensuring the content was deeply rooted in the cultural context of the Peguis people.
THE SOLUTION
IndigPro collaborated closely with the Peguis School Board and the language and knowledge keepers of the Peguis Nation to bring this project to life. Our approach involved several key steps:
- Design and Illustration: We crafted visually stunning illustrations that resonate with the cultural themes and stories of the Peguis Nation. Each image was designed by hand by our illustrator to attract the attention of young readers and serve as a meaningful representation of their heritage.
- Animation and Voiceover: To enhance the learning experience, we animated the eight children's books, adding a dynamic element that would engage students both in classrooms, libraries and at their homes. We travelled to Peguis multiple times to record voiceovers in the Ojibwe Anishinaabemowin language, ensuring that the pronunciation and intonation were accurate and reflective of the dialect spoken by the Peguis people.
- Cultural Oversight: Throughout the project, we worked under the guidance and approval of the language and knowledge keepers of the Peguis School. Their involvement was crucial in ensuring that the language was preserved accurately and respectfully, and that the content would be effective in teaching young children.
- Tight Timeline Execution: Despite the challenge of a tight two-month timeline, our team successfully completed the project, ensuring that the books were ready for the start of the school year. This accomplishment demonstrated our ability to deliver high-quality work under pressure, while remaining deeply committed to the cultural and educational goals of the project.
SCOPE OF WORK
The scope of work for the Peguis Book Project included:
- Design and Illustration: Creating culturally resonant visuals for eight children’s books.
- Animation: Developing animated versions of the books to be used as dynamic educational tools.
- Voiceover Recording: Recording of authentic voice overs in the Ojibwe Anishinaabemowin language.
- Cultural Consultation: Collaborating with Peguis language and knowledge keepers to ensure accuracy and respect for the language and culture.
- Project Management: Comprehensive project management efforts to ensure timely delivery of high-quality results, coordinating between creative teams, language and knowledge keepers, and the Peguis School Board to meet the project's tight deadlines and specific requirements.
NEXT STEPS
The Peguis Book Project is set to officially launch with the fall resumption, marking a significant milestone in the revitalization of the Ojibwe Anishinaabemowin language for the Peguis First Nation. As we look ahead, IndigPro is excited to continue our partnership with the Peguis School Board, with plans to develop new sets of books featuring more complex sentences for middle years students. This next phase will further deepen our commitment to preserving the Peguis dialect and expanding the educational resources available to the community.
We are honoured to have had the opportunity to contribute to this important project, and we take great pride in our ability to combine cultural sensitivity with creative excellence. As an Indigenous-owned agency, this project holds special significance for us, particularly as our CEO hails from Peguis. We look forward to continuing our work with the Peguis Nation, helping to ensure that the Ojibwe Anishinaabemowin language thrives for generations to come.
