Get to Know Our 2017 Keynote:
Dr. Michael 'Migizi' Sullivan is an Anishinaabe linguist from the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe reservation in northwestern Wisconsin. He holds degrees from Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Community College, the University of Wisconsin-Superior, and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. He is currently on leave from the College of Saint Scholastica serving as the resident linguist for the Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Immersion School at LCO where he contributes to curriculum design, language proficiency assessment, and immersion teacher training. He enjoys singing at powwows, round dances and ceremonies, in addition to hunting and fishing with his family.
IN HIS WORDS: A preview of his keynote:
Us Against the World: Key Issues in Endangered Indigenous Language Revitalization
Language revitalization for indigenous populations in North America began to take shape roughly 20 years ago. Since language loss became apparent in the majority of indigenous communities, various programs have been developed with varying degrees of success. In this talk, I provide the context for language revitalization in indigenous North America including a brief history of American Indian education and assimilation policies, the tribally-initiated response to language loss and failed education efforts, as well as the current efforts underway in Minnesota and Wisconsin to revitalize the local indigenous languages. I highlight the unique challenges of endangered minority language teaching ranging from curriculum development to language proficiency assessment. As a tribal member having served as a language educator in both the higher education and primary school settings, I offer a drastically different perspective on the topics of endangered indigenous language learning and teaching.
Learn more here!
http://www.css.edu/about/news-center/st-scholastica-news/michael-sullivan-profile.html
http://www.apg-wi.com/sawyer_county_record/news/local/keeping-the-ojibwe-language-alive-michael-sullivan-receives-ph-d/article_25e2a0b4-178a-11e6-92fc-639bf7e40708.html
