Program integrates elders with language

Posoh. This Menominee word is heard frequently as a warm and welcoming greeting at the Menomini yoU Language Campus at 456 state Highway 47-55 in Keshena. The language campus, which opened in August 2024, supports the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin’s mission to preserve, revitalize and reintegrate its language into the daily life of the tribe. For the tribe as a whole, it is an important place where people can use the language in everyday conversation. To encourage tribal elders to learn the Menominee language, the Campus hosts Keckiwak Elder Wednesdays, led by Sinawaqnew Pemohnaew (Ann Oshkosh). Pemohnaew, known as Sinny, leads a group of tribal elders at the center every other Wednesday for language lessons. “My Menominee name is Sinawaqnew,” she said. “But it’s such a long name and when I worked in our language immersion daycare years ago, it was too hard for babies. So, we shortened it to ‘Sinny.’” Pemohnaew said that learning to speak the Menominee language, a distinct Algonquin language, is her language journey. She started by taking language courses at the College of Menominee Nation (CMN) in 2013. In 2017, the Menominee tribe started a language immersion classroom at its daycare center, and Pemohnaew was right there speaking the language. She stayed for about three years. “We spoke the language all day long,” Pemohnaew said of the daycare classroom. “I created 11 songs for them.” Pemohnaew said that using music and games helped the little ones to pick up on the language. Following a love of the Menominee language they learned as Menominee Indian School District students, a young couple with a small daughter now speak only Menominee in their home. “When we opened the language campus, this young one was able to talk to people in the language,” Pemohnaew said. “How full your heart swells, knowing this.” She noted that this is a significant example of how the tribe is revitalizing its language. A typical Elder Wednesday class combines learning the Menominee language with the culture of the tribe. The students also take part in various cultural activities, such as finger weaving and basket making. Pemohnaew shares historical facts and even plays bingo with the elders in the class. To honor their culture in conjunction with their language, the class took a trip to Marinette. The Menominee’s main original village, called Menekaunee, was located near present-day Marinette. The class has planned an upcoming trip to the Oshkosh Public Museum to see the James Frechette Jr. exhibit of intricately carved and painted figures showing dress, symbols and traditions of the Menominee way of life. Frechette is a traditional Menominee artist. Learning all of the intricacies of the language does take time, according to Pemohnaew. “Especially with us getting older,” she said. “We’re not little sponges anymore.” They learn individual words during the class, and also try conversations, with everyone contributing according to their own ability. Myrna Warrington said she took classes at the College of Menominee Nation with Pemohnaew. “I can recognize words, hear words, say them, but not very good,” Warrington said. “I’m getting older and can’t remember some things. That’s why I come here. It’s really good for me to see everybody here.” Warrington continued by saying that she’s also taken classes online. “There are three different levels, beginner, intermediate and third level,” she said. “People from all over take the online classes.” Warrington is currently the CMN director of vocational rehabilitation. Pemohnaew said that she’s hoping some of the Elder Wednesday students will be comfortable enough with the language to join her when she takes part in school events relating to Native American studies. Another of the Elder Wednesday students is Stephan Grochowski. She said she’s been with the group since it started. “I enjoy the community and the language,” Grochowski said. “I’m comfortable with the elementary stuff.” For information, visit https://menominiyou.org.