Bozho Jayek,
It’s an exciting time in the language department. We are working hard on a self-paced online language course. The idea behind the course is that a person will be able to access the course anywhere in the world at any time they want to learn Potawatomi.
As part of the class there are 4 units with 10 topics in each and PowerPoint presentations, interactive crosswords, quizzes, and cultural teachings all built into the course work.
The beginner version will have a soft opening in summer 2015 before finishing in August.
Following the completion of the beginner course we will begin work on the intermediate course and then the advanced course. We hope that at the completion of the three courses a person will be able to be conversationally fluent in Potawatomi
By the time this column goes out we will have started a new beginner class on sight at the Cultural Heritage Center from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Monday evenings. It’s ok to join up whenever. If you are just getting the information please go ahead and drop in.
Also we just wrapped up our third annual winter story telling event. We were honored to have the Prairie Band Potawatomi Language Department join us and share a few stories. Migwetch Mskodaniyek Bodewadmimwen mikchewijek.
Because we are told by our elders that certain stories are only to be told in the winter time, we have this event to tell some of these traditional stories. Next year we will have another winter storytelling event. So if you didn’t make it this year there is always next.
I’ve included one of the stories we told this year, with Oklahoma’s tendency to have at least one blizzard in March, the timing on telling is ok.
As always if there are any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me at jneely@potawatomi.org.