Dave Bissonette explains value of Ojibwa language

[susiq56]

Old friend it is so good to see your face again. Scott pointed me to this site. I miss you and hope our paths cross again. I would love for you to meet my kinds and make you a great dinner.

[MossWaffle]

I have a feeling Dave dissolved into laughter the second the camera was turned off...

[trinitymike]

It's funny that both of these guys, while discussing the importance of native languages, have distinct Minnesota "white" accents, not Native ones.....ironic? You betcha!!!

[boywbrownhare]

it's so depressing how endlessly retarded people are. mike: THE ORIGINAL PEOPLES OF THE AMERICAS WERE MURDERED. THEIR LAND WAS STOLEN BY WHITE PEOPLE. (with me so far?) THEIR CULTURES, MANY THOUSANDS OF YEARS OLD, WERE DESTROYED. DESTROYED. THOSE THAT SURVIVED WERE STUCK ON HORRIBLE PLOTS OF LAND THAT WHITEY COULDN'T USE. AND LEFT TO ROT. think about what all that means. what it really means. imagine you are a native american, at any time in the past 500 years. you are on stolen land right now.

[trinitymike]

I agree, which is why I said it's ironic...

[rover88nate]

Come on, this is your time to make a change in history not dwell on the past. if we all learn ojibwe and develop our arts again renew and embrace those that ideas that are lost, encourage others to learn our ideals and cultures regardless of race and skin tone do we not beat whitey? And in turn survive, spreading our ideals that predate zaaganash/english ideals and concepts? Remove the hate brother and embrace the future. Ojibwe people are on the rise, miigwech

[boywbrownhare]

yes. sorry for the anger. it was in response to what i perceived as disrespectful flippancy. long live first peoples!

[wovokanarchy]

@trinitymike Actually the guy sounds a bit gay.

[karlykay14]

Very interesting. Im only 16, but it would be nice to go to a college like this to learn more

[furbsmom]

Do You have books out there that teach the language, thank you.

[AlluringShrew]

What a cutie! OK, I know, I should be commenting on the substance of the clip, not the subject delivering the content. My fault. LOL

I had my kids in Lakota classes before we moved to Indiana... now there is nothing out here like that, and it makes me sad. The language is the thread that binds it all together. And just like your language, there are thoughts in Lakota that simply don't translate neatly to English, and contain entire concepts within the words.

[boywbrownhare]

i'm so sorry to hear that, shrew. do what you can to make sure they know the truth! that way they can hold their heads up high. and drop knowledge on the trinitymikes of the world.

[cintulator]

It is great to see, how you keep your language and traditions alive. We, Finns have too fought for our language and tradition. May Ukko (Sky-god) and Mielikki (Forest-goddess) bless you!