The Current23:54They’re not Indigenous, but they’re learning Indigenous languages
After a hectic day working as an ecologist, Junaid Khan is scarfing down pizza when his online evening class begins.
“Aanii kina gwaya,” says teacher Ninaatig Staats Pangowish, greeting his students. The intermediate Anishinaabemowin class, offered free by the Native Canadian Centre in Toronto, kicks off with casual chat.
“Aniish gaa-zhichigeyin nongo?” Khan asks an elder named Marie, inquiring what she did today.
She excitedly tells him she spent all day cutting up moose meat. “Oh, gbe-giizhig go ingii-giishkkonaa mooz wiiyaas!“
“Oh! Nishin! (That’s good!)” Khan exclaims.
Though he speaks basic Anishinaabemowin with confidence, Khan isn’t Anishinaabe.
He
