MCCLR
Mahchiwminahnanahtik
Is a 501(c)3 is a grassroots community led initiative whose unique effort is to increase opportunities to learn and use the Chippewa and Cree languages by creating fluent speakers for each language.
Rocky Boy Indian Reservation in Montana is the home of two distinct tribes with unique ancestries, cultures, and languages-the Chippewa and the Cree.
MCCLR has introduced this language learning opportunity to community members of the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation due to the alarming rate of loss of our fluent Chippewa and Cree speakers.
WHO WE ARE
MCCLR’s overall goal is to increase CHIPPEWA AND cree fluency on the Rocky Boy’s Reservation.
MCCLR – LTP is changing that by immersing Cree Language Trainees in the language 8 hours per day, 5 days a week for 14 months which amounts to approximately 2,240 hours of language instruction.
Many of our members are unable to find the time in one day to immerse themselves in our language due to having jobs, attending college, raising families, household responsibilities, etc.
MCCLR currently administers a Language Trainee Program (LTP ), which provides a space for nine (9) Cree Language trainees to be immersed in the Rocky Boy Cree language for 40 hours per week in a full-time position with all the benefits of a regular employee and will run for 14 months.
There has been much meaningful language work done on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation starting in the 1970’s that has created a lot of resources and has built a great foundation for other language projects (such as MCCLR – LTP) to build on.
However, the previous efforts did not focus on conversational language acquisition and learning and therefore has not produced any fluent speakers in adults nor children.
Case studies
According to a survey conducted by MCCLR in July 2020, there are:
Approximately 7,000 enrolled members of the Chippewa Cree Tribe
Less than 1% of them are considered fluent first language Cree speakers.
0.2% are considered fluent Chippewa speakers.
These numbers are now lower due to the pandemic.
Our Mission
To Revitalize, Promote, Teach and Perpetuate the Languages of the Chippewa Cree People of the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation.
Our Vision
To continue and carry on the journey of our ancestors by encouraging and creating fluent Chippewa and Cree Speakers in a positive learning environment.
what we do
Provide a 14-month Language Trainee Program (LTP) for up to 9 trainees effectively developing adult 2nd language emerging fluent Chippewa & Cree speakers.
In return the new adult 2nd language emerging fluent speakers are placed in the Rocky Boy Community schools and workplaces effectively producing 1st/2nd language speakers in adults and children.
Build a NehiyoYou Campus where the Chippewa and Cree languages will thrive in a natural environment
why we do it
State of Emergency resolution authored by MCCLR adopted by the Chippewa Cree Tribe.
During the onset of the Covid-19 Virus Worldwide Pandemic in March 2020, to present day, our community has lost over 40 Cree speakers due to either complications from contracting the Covid-19 Corona Virus, pre-existing health conditions or a combination of the two.
The Rocky Boy community has not produced a fluent Chippewa or Cree speaker in over 45 years.
how we do it
Tested and Proven 14-month Language Trainee Program.
Online Language Lessons
Working agreement with local schools to place language trainees into the schools to produce 1st language speakers in children.
resources
Resources
@mahchiwminahnahtik
Wīcihinān
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