Aankwadong Online Course Project
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Gijigowi Anishinaabemowin Language Department (GALD) was awarded a grant from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) to create online language courses. The goal of this project is to ensure the survival of Anishinaabemowin in the LTBB community through targeted revitalization efforts via online Anishinaabemowin language courses.
The online Aankwadong program is comprised of 4 classes: Beginning I, Beginning II, Intermediate I and Intermediate II. The timeline is similar to 4 college or high school semesters, for a total of 2 years. Classes will be offered Fall semesters (September – December) and Winter semesters (January – May). Classes will not be offered during the Summer. Certificates will be awarded to students upon the completion of each class level, and upon completion of all four courses.
A student successfully completing the two-year program would likely finish with a beginner high to intermediate-mid proficiency level. The levels are based on the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines.
This online course project is called, Aankwadong which means “on the cloud” in Anishinaabemowin. The project objectives are as follows:
- Design Anishinaabe curriculum for community learners comprised of four course levels to ensure course participants receive an interactive and engaging learning experience and to increase LTBB’s capacity to implement language-learning
- LTBB will pilot four levels of online Anishinaabemowin community courses to increase participation of Anishinaabemowin Language learning by community learners.
- LTBB will pilot two online high school Anishinaabemowin courses (Beginning I and Beginning II) adapted to fulfill the Michigan language proficiency of 15 students in two area high schools.
The online Aankwadong program is comprised of 4 classes: Beginning I, Beginning II, Intermediate I and Intermediate II. The timeline is similar to 4 college or high school semesters, for a total of 2 years. Classes will be offered Fall semesters (September – December) and Winter semesters (January – May). Classes will not be offered during the Summer. Certificates will be awarded to students upon the completion of each class level, and upon completion of all four courses.
A student successfully completing the two-year program would likely finish with a beginner high to intermediate-mid proficiency level. The levels are based on the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines.
The classes will be very interactive. They will include lessons, assignments, quizzes and tests. They will include optional Zoom sessions. Content will be delivered using videos, audio, and visual images. The classes will include supplemental resources, such as online games, songs, and website links.
Community Classes: The online Community Classes begin Fall 2021. The classes are offered at no charge to students. The community classes will be available to all community members, age 16+, as well as Tribal members who live outside of the area, in other states or countries.
High School Classes: The High School courses will be developed very similar to the community courses, but adapted to meet guidelines of the Michigan Department of Education. The classes will be offered to high school students for World Languages high school credits. The credits earned will help students to meet graduation requirements. Beginning Fall 2022, Aankwadong will pilot the high school classes in area high schools.
Aankwadong is funded by the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) of the Administration for Children and Families under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is a 3-year grant covering the period of July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2022. The online program will continue indefinitely, after the grant period.
