Niigaane Ojibwe Immersion School

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$125,000
2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$125,000
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$125,000
2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$125,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Niigaane Ojibwe Immersion School
Recipient Type
K-12 Education
Status
Completed
Project Overview

Money was appropriated to the two Immersion Schools to develop and expand K-12 curriculum; provide fluent speakers in the classroom; develop appropriate testing and evaluation procedures; and develop community-based training and engagement.

About the Issue

Minnesota’s most enduring languages are in danger of disappearing. Without timely intervention, the use of Dakota and Ojibwe languages – like indigenous languages throughout the globe -- will decline to a point beyond recovery.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2011, 1st Special Session, Chapter 6, Article 4, Section 2, Subd. 11
Appropriation Language

Language Immersion. $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are for grants of $125,000 each year to the Niigaane Ojibwe Immersion School and the Wicoie Nandagikendan Urban Immersion Project to: (1) develop and expand K-12 curriculum; (2) provide fluent speakers in the classroom(3) develop appropriate testing and evaluation procedures; and (4) develop community-based training and engagement

2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$125,000
Appropriation Language

Language Immersion. $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are for grants of $125,000 each year to the Niigaane Ojibwe Immersion School and the Wicoie Nandagikendan Urban Immersion Project to: (1) develop and expand K-12 curriculum; (2) provide fluent speakers in the classroom(3) develop appropriate testing and evaluation procedures; and (4) develop community-based training and engagement.

2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$125,000
Measurable Outcome(s)

We have hired the two postions and have integrated them into our daily schedule with students and teaching teams. Curriculum Alignment Specialist has attended a training on Simulated Oral Proficiency Assesment (SOPA), a summative oral proficiency assessment for students in language immersion classrooms. Curriculum Alignment Specialist is working with Niigaane Teaching Teams to create an Ojibwe Language version of SOPA for adminstration at the local site. We predict that it will not be finished for a test run during School Year 2011-2012, since the training took place in late March and early April. We expect to be able to refine the tool during summer work session, and to test rater reliability. When this portion of the assessment creation is complete, we expect to administer the SOPA in Spring of 2013. As we develop appropriate levels of Oral Proficiency and content mastery in the language of Instruction, we are creating an alternative version of of educational achievment for members of our community. This is a long term, overarching outcome of the Niigaane Ojibwemowin Immersion School. Sixty five people were directly involved in this project: 34 students in grades K-6, 14 family members attended weekly classes, 10 staff members at Niigaane, and 7 volunteers contributed to community activities.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2009, Chp. 172, Art. 4, Sec. 3 (b)
Appropriation Language

Language Immersion. $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are for grants of $125,000 each year to the Niigaane Ojibwe Immersion School and the Wicoie Nandagikendan Urban Immersion Project to: (1) develop and expand K-12 curriculum; (2) provide fluent speakers in the classroom(3) develop appropriate testing and evaluation procedures; and (4) develop community-based training and engagement.

2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$125,000
Measurable Outcome(s)

Curriculum Writer worked with Director and Elders to develop oral lanaguage proficiency assesments for students. Hired teacher who completed White Earth Tribal and Community College Gekinoo'amaagejig Teacher training program. Niigaane hired her as a "Highly Qualified" teacher after she completed her teaching practicum in December.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2009, Chp. 172, Art. 4, Sec. 3 (b)
Appropriation Language

Language Immersion. $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are for grants of $125,000 each year to the Niigaane Ojibwe Immersion School and the Wicoie Nandagikendan Urban Immersion Project to: (1) develop and expand K-12 curriculum; (2) provide fluent speakers in the classroom(3) develop appropriate testing and evaluation procedures; and (4) develop community-based training and engagement

2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$125,000
Measurable Outcome(s)

Curriculum Writer worked with Director and Elders to develop oral lanaguage proficiency assesments for students. Hired teacher who completed White Earth Tribal and Community College Gekinoo'amaagejig Teacher training program. Niigaane hired her as a "Highly Qualified" teacher after she completed her teaching practicum in December.

Project Manager
First Name
Leslie
Last Name
Harper
Organization Name
Niigaane Ojibwemowin Immersion
Street Address
15353 Silver Eagle Dr NW
City
Bena
State
Minnesota
Zip Code
56626
Phone
218-665-3029
Administered By
Administered by
Location

161 Saint Anthony Ave
Suite 919
St. Paul, MN 55103