SCTC hosts Nbakinaage Anishnaabemowin: “I won the Anishnaabe Language”
10/23/2014 10:00:00 AM - Anishinaabe Language Revitalization Department

by MARY PELCHER

SCTC Extension

Coordinator

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Anishnaabe Language Revitalization Department, orALRD, collaborated to offer the community a night of free family fun at the “Nbakinaage” Sept. 11 bingo event.

The Anishnaabemowin word Nbakinaage means,“I won” (pronounced:nah-buck-a-naah-geh). This bingo event is designed to promote Anishnaabemowin (the Anishnaabe language). The numbers one through 75 were called out in the language.For example, the letter/number combination “I-21” was called as “I-Niizhtana–shi-bezhik”. When a player daubed a straightline bingo they would holler,“Nbakinaage!” Of coursethere was a little help; corresponding letter/number cards were held up so participantscould see the letter/numberbeing called.

That way, all members of the family with language proficiency from zero to fluentcould easily play. Participants were encouraged to take home the “cheat sheets” that listed the numbers, one through 75 and the corresponding Anishnaabemowin word. The game is designed for participants to hear, see, and interact with Anishnaabemowin, specifically numbers.

More than 70 participants came out to play Nbakinaage and were treated to free popcorn and lemonade as they vied for the 10 family prizes for the games. The prizeswere reusable bags stuffed with an assortment of household and personal goods such as towels, snacks, markers,shampoo and conditioner,socks and more.In between the bingo games, there were also drawings for prizes. These prizes were donations from SCTC and from the Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel. Camping chairs, umbrellas, waterparkpasses, even an overnight stay at the waterpark were among the prize drawings given away. Chi-Miigwech SEWPH for the donations!Parents that have students in the Sasiwaans program are required to participate in Anishnaabemowin language classes and this event wascounted as a language class.

Both SCTC and ARLDwould like to say “chi-miigwech”to the many people thatvolunteered to help make thisevent a success, from popcornmaking, to setting up, tocleaning it up, if you helped itis very much appreciated.Chimiigwechto volunteer caller Ellie Mitchell she pronounced the numbers flawlessly.

SCTC and ARLD arbusy planning the nextNbakinaage community event for December 2014; watch November’s Tribal Observerfor details. We challenge youto come out to the next eventto learn, win prizes and support Anishnaabemowin revitalization,and it is free.

Because the promotion of the Anishnaabe language isimportant to both SCTC and ARLD, we have also collaborated this year to offer Nbakinaage to the TribalElders at the Andahwod Elder’s complex. Tribal Elders are welcome to join the games on the first Thursday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. Elder’s Bingo will be held Oct. 2, Nov.6 and Dec.4

For more information on other ARLD activities, please call Isabelle Osawamick,outreach language specialist,at 989-775-4110. Formore information about SCTC Extension Outreach activities, call Mary Pelcher,extension coordinator, at 989-775-4123.