By Justin Neely, CPN Language Department Director

Bozho, jayek (Hello, everyone),

Ni je na ginwa ngom? (How are you all today?)

Ni je ngom zagech? (How is today outside? How is the weather?)

Migyamget shode. (It’s strange here.)

Ngot gishget ksenyamget iw je azho-gishgest ewi gshatemgek. (One day it’s cold then the next day it’s hot.)

Mskawkik moshek bémadzejek ewi kedwat gishpen bwa medagwendemen ezhewébek “Babwichgen bgéji ewi ajgadek.” (In Oklahoma most people will say if you don’t like the weather, “Wait a little bit and it will change.”)

We are wrapping up two of our beginner classes — one taught by Mr. Josey Wood and the other by Mrs. Shelly Watson. Justin Neely is also finishing an intermediate class in May. Shelly has an elders class which meets in person from 9 a.m. to noon every Thursday at the Cultural Heritage Center. We also have an intermediate class from 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays at the Cultural Heritage Center. We are also wrapping up Neshnabe Nadzewen (Neshnabe Lifeways) this month.

In May, we have our beginner two-week immersion camp, which will be eight hours a day Monday through Friday from May 11-22. We also will be having an intermediate/advanced two-week immersion course June 1-12. We have a number of folks who have already sent an RSVP to [email protected]. If you would like to attend, we will try and get you in, but we need your RSVP soon so we can have a head count. We will also be hosting a culture/language camp for kids ages 6-12 from July 6-10. Please RSVP to [email protected].

We took two students to this year’s OU Language Fair. They estimated over 2,000 people attended, making their 23rd annual event one of the largest ever. Peyton Neely competed in four categories, receiving an honorable mention, two second place trophies and a third place trophy. Prestynn Neely competed in one category and got a third place trophy. They worked hard against stiff competition. There were a number of immersion schools in attendance.

Our next community game night will be Wednesday, May 13. It has not been decided yet what games we will play. We may do another round of dice and bowl. Whatever games we choose to play should be good time for all. Let us know if you are planning on coming so we can plan accordingly. RSVP to [email protected].

I would like take a moment to mention an elder and former Chairman Leon Bruno. He recently passed at the age of 88. He was a man of integrity and faith. I had the honor and the privilege to get to know him well over the last 30 some years. He will be greatly missed by our community. I wanted to take just a small section of my column acknowledging him and asking you to keep his family in your prayers. He was a man who lead by example. Igwien, nikan (Thank you, friend).

Recently I had the opportunity to attend Anishinaabemowinteg. This conference has Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi speakers. I was able to listen to several children speaking to each other in the Ojibwe language in a natural setting. I heard several people speaking the language to each other. I picked up a number of good ideas, not only for immersion programing but also ideas/topics for sharing the language. I also had the opportunity to speak with several fluent speakers of neshnaabemwen.

Festival will be upon us before we know it. We will have several classes as well as Potawatomi Bingo and a round of dice and bowl. These are always good times, so we look forward to seeing everyone.

Migwetch (Thank you).