Lakehead University offers courses in Ojibwe (Anishinaabemowin) and Cree (Inin"mowin), two of the most widely spoken Canadian Aboriginal languages. Ojibwe is spoken primarily in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, western Quebec, and several states south of the Great Lakes, in particular Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Cree is spoken in subarctic Canada from Alberta to Labrador.

Both languages are spoken in a number of significantly different linguistic varieties, often referred to as dialects.

Both languages are members of the Algonquian language family. Other Algonquian languages spoken in Canada include Blackfoot, Maliseet-Passamaquoddy, Mi'gmaq, and Munsee Delaware. Other Algonquian languages spoken in the United States include Menominee, Fox-Sauk-Kickapoo, Cheyenne, and others.

The term Algonquian refers specifically to the language family to which Ojibwe and Cree are assigned. The name of the language family is distinguished from the very similar term Algonquin, which refers to the Algonquin dialect of Ojibwe, spoken primarily in northwestern Quebec and northeastern Ontario.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

See Requirements for Admission to Undergraduate Degree Programs in the Admission Requirements section of this Calendar.

ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

See the University Regulations section and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Regulations section of this Calendar for conditions to enter, proceed in, and graduate from these programs.

1. Native Language Minor Program

A minimum overall average of 60% is required in three full courses in Native Languages:
(a) Ojibwe 1013/Indigenous Learning 1014 and Ojibwe 1015/Indigenous Learning 1016; or Ojibwe 1014/Indigenous Learning 1015 and Ojibwe 1016/Indigenous Learning 1017
(b) Ojibwe 2001
(c) Ojibwe 3001

Note:
See also the Faculty of Education, Department of Aboriginal Education, Native Language Instructors Diploma Program and Department of Indigenous Learning program offerings.

2. Aboriginal Languages Specialist's Certificate

There are two levels to this two-part certificate for students with an interest in linguistic analysis and research. At each level an overall average of 60% is required.

Aboriginal Languages Specialist's Certificate Part I
(a) Algonquian 1212, 1232, 2213 and 2233
(b) Native Language 3531 and 3511

Aboriginal Languages Specialist's Certificate Part II
(a) Native Language 3251, 3711, 3751, 3811 and 3813
(b) Education 1574