August - 2006 Anishinabek Nation takes steps to restore language. Birchbark Staff Anishinaabe-mowin " the Ojibwe language" is now the official language of the Anishnabek Nation. The chiefs of the 42 communities that make up the Anishinabek Nation voted to adopt a resolution declaring Anishinaabe-mowin its official language during the annual Grand Council Assembly held June 12 to 14 on Sand Point First Nation. "Our language is sacred, and protecting and restoring it is a priority for our chiefs," Grand Council Chief John Beaucage said regarding the resolution. "It is the vision of this official language policy that our people will once again think in Anishinaabe-mowin by ensuring that Ojibwe is once again the language of our ceremonies, our gatherings and our working life." Under the resolution, schools within the Anishinabek Nation will be encouraged to adopt Ojibwe immersion programs to better teach the language to students, and language programs will be established for First Nation employees. The passing of the official languages resolution is just the latest in the Anishinabek Nations' efforts to revive usage of the Ojibwe language. An Anishinaabe-Mushkegowuk-Onkwehonwe Language Commission is also being created to assist First Nations across Ontario with their language development needs. TOP