Language Nest Curriculum

Our Language Nest Program has prepared some fun materials to get you started on your Anishinaabemowin journey. Browse the materials on this page to learn useful words and phrases at your own pace.

Miigwemin Anishinaabemowin kidwin.
We are giving you our Language.

Boozoo Aanii. Gchi nendam wii bizinwiiyaang Anishinaabemowin.
Welcome, hi! We are very happy that you are listening to us talking our Ojibwe Language.

Ga Kinoomaago waashi anishinaabemiiyeg. Aabjitoon na waa noongom kidying noondaameg pane.
We are teaching how to speak Ojibwe. Use what you hear today, always.

Gago gach ken.
Don't be shy.

Naanaag aitwishin kidan miinwaa gaa kidiyaang.
Listen to what is said, say what was said, and repeat what you hear.

Nogoding miinwaa gego mensengen.
Once again, don't be bashful.

Ahaaw, ga maajtaamin.
Okay, we will start.

Compiled by:
Language Nest and Anishinaabemowin Naaknigewin, Elder's Steering Committee

Zhaginaashii taagzi - Ojibwe words that sound like English

These are Ojibwe words that sound like English words. Click back and forth to see all 12 drawings.

Bezhig maanda kidwin bzindan endaaso giizhigad - Word a Day

A word a day is an easy way to learn Ojibwe. Visit us whenever you want to learn a new word!

You can read and listen to the entire word-a-day collection here: 365 Days of Words

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Jina G'anishinaabemtaadmin - We'll talk Ojibwe for a little bit

Ready for a bigger challenge? We have 52 useful sentences for you to practice and learn.
sentence a week picture Audio Player 02 Audio Player 03 Audio Player 04 Audio Player 05 Audio Player 06 Audio Player 07 Audio Player 08 Audio Player 09 Audio Player 10 Audio Player 11 Audio Player 12 Audio Player 13 Audio Player 14 Audio Player 15 Audio Player 16 Audio Player 17 Audio Player 18 Audio Player 19 Audio Player 20 Audio Player 21 Audio Player 22 Audio Player 23 Audio Player 24 Audio Player 25 Audio Player 26 Audio Player 27 Audio Player 28 Audio Player 29 Audio Player 30 Audio Player 31 Audio Player 32 Audio Player 33 Audio Player 34 Audio Player 35 Audio Player 36 Audio Player 37 Audio Player 38 Audio Player 39 Audio Player 40 Audio Player 41 Audio Player 42 Audio Player 43 Audio Player 44 Audio Player 45 Audio Player 46 Audio Player 47 Audio Player 48 Audio Player 49 Audio Player 50 Audio Player 51 Audio Player 52 Audio Player

Vowels and Syllables in Anishinaabemowin

Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language, uses only 19 letters of the 26 in the English alphabet to form vowels and consonants.

There are long vowels and short vowels.

Mii iw nakw entaagwak. (that is the sound these make)

This fun song will help you recall the vowel sounds of our language: Kidwinesan

These are the syllables that make of Ojibwe words. (syllables marked with * are very scarce).

Vowels 2

There are no sounds in the Ojibwe language for the letters: f, l, q, r, u, v, x