Bemidji agrees to expand the OJIBWE language program

The Bemidji School Board recently approved the appointment of two OJIBWE teachers for the start of this year 2025-2026. The decision allows the educational zone to expand OJIBWE’s language instructions to three primary schools. High school already provides an OJIBE studies.

Supervisor Jeremy Olson said that American Indian students make up 27 percent of the Student Authority in Bimidji Schools.

He said that Ojibwe language positions will be funded over the next two years through the original language activation grant, which is granted by the Ministry of Education in Minnesota.

“Of course, the state is not considered anything that exceeds that period for two years,” he said. “But what is supposed to happen is that they believe this is constant financing, and we must have a somewhat good snapshot in renewing this request as well.”

“As you can have things on this day and this age, we believe this is a sustainable program,” Ulson added.

The Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Todd Hogan, said he is a “great supporter” to add positions.

He said: “I do not think that many people realize the number of students who have in our region who are OJIBWE students. It is a very large number, and of course, the number of people in the OJIBWE area in our region among these three large reservations in the center of all of this.” “The current assurance of the people who learn this language and preserve this language, I think this is really important for our region.”

However, a member of the Board of Directors Anna Manic, the only member who votes for positions, expressed his concerns surrounding the lack of curricula for the new classes and previous budget discounts.

“We have already taken a library position, and now we will take more through music and art. It is difficult to continue to see some of these things.” “I feel that these three options (including physical education) are very comprehensive for everyone. Likewise, as you know, this makes me feel uncomfortable to think about the discounts of potential employees or the program next spring.”

Manecke added that although the positions funded by the government, taxpayers are still putting the bill.

Olson said that the new trainers will develop the curricula of the classes, which will be approved by the School Council.

“We want, of course, to deal with this content at the same level of rigor as we do with any of our content,” said Olson.