In an effort to preserve the Anishinaabe language for future generations, Northern Michigan University and Bay Mills Community College recently signed an articulation agreement that will allow students to complete a two-year associate of arts degree in Anishinaabe language instruction at BMCC, then seamlessly transfer to NMU for the final two years to complete a bachelor of science degree in Native American studies, with potential for a Michigan Anishinaabemowin K-12 teaching certificate. This creates the state's first pathway for teachers to earn such an endorsement, according to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).
“Since the standards for this endorsement were adopted by the State Board of Education in 2011, the Michigan Department of Education has supported the creation of partnerships between tribal education entities with expertise in Anishinaabe language instruction and educator preparation institutions with a legacy of effective and innovative approaches to preparing teachers,” said Sean Kottke, assistant director of the Office of Educator Excellence with the MDE. “This partnership between Bay Mills Community College and Northern Michigan University is an important milestone in achieving Goal 7 of Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan: to increase the numbers of certified teachers in areas of shortage.”
The agreement is unique because students will be required to demonstrate language competency from an approved Native speaker at BMCC, which will be the equivalent for the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification subject area.
Once the students transfer to NMU, they will take both Native American studies courses toward the bachelor's degree and education courses to prepare them to teach the Anishinaabe language in the K-12 school system.
“As our elders are passing away, the language is dying with them,” said BMCC President Duane Bedell at the June signing ceremony at NMU. “So, with programs like this, this will help keep the language alive. … If we can learn a language from our elders to ensure that the translations are correct, to ensure the pronunciations are correct, that's vital so that the language can continue to carry on.”
“To have our tribal leaders and elders being the ones to initiate that handoff, that trust, for the language to be taught by that individual to others is a really big deal,” added NMU Associate Dean of Teacher Education Joe Lubig. “This will help create a deeper connection between kids and the language, to literature, history, community cultural events and tribal events. It's a way to structure meaning and the ongoing legacy of the language and culture.”
The Anishinaabe Language Instruction program is designed to encourage and promote the understanding and preservation of the Anishinaabe language and prepare students to function as a language instructor. It is also designed to enhance students' cultural awareness and offer the opportunity to develop a functional command of the Anishinaabe language, which can be further expanded through additional study or contact with other speakers of the language. Students will gain an understanding of the structure of the language, and learn pedagogical principles and methods for teaching Anishinaabemowin.
This is the second “2+2” articulation agreement between NMU and BMCC in recent years. In January 2023, the institutions signed one that provides students who complete a two-year associate degree in social science at BMCC with a smooth transition to NMU for the final two years to complete the bachelor of social work (BSW) degree.