Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University (LCOOU) is excited to announce the creation of the Midwest Indigenous Immersion Network (MIIN) Ojibwe Educator Scholarship. MIIN has committed $13,875 to establish the fund supporting up to two $3,600 scholarships to selected students each semester.

MIIN is a Native American-led, Minnesota-based 501c3 dedicated to the revitalization of the Ojibwe and other Indigenous languages. The mission is to assist Ojibwe language programs in communicating and collaborating to collectively address common needs. To support their network, MIIN organizes and facilitates professional development opportunities, learning material creation, sharing and distribution of materials, recruitment of staff and students, and the collection of educational data.

The scholarship will support students who have demonstrated an intent to attain a teaching license, with a focus on Ojibwe immersion education. LCOOU’s elementary/middle school education program will focus on preparing teachers, increasing Native American teacher retention rates in Wisconsin, increasing Ojibwe immersion teachers, and increasing the diversity of teachers.

“This scholarship opportunity is a significant act of support for future educators in our communities. The Bachelor of Science in elementary/middle school education is a program that has been consistently highlighted in conversations with tribal governments, our elders, and the greater community,” shares Karen Breit, interim president at LCOOU. “We are very proud of the combined effort of the Native American studies and education departments to create an Ojibwemowin track for this degree. It is a fundamental step in taking the work of language revitalization here at LCO and beyond to a higher level. Miigwech to MIIN for your contributions to support immersion education students at LCOOU.”

Teachers graduating from the LCOOU education program will know, understand, implement, and assess the cultural experience of all children by integrating culturally responsive schooling and social justice education. Teachers will be prepared to assist children with space-based education and land-based education by being aware of our connection to the Earth and the importance of protecting natural resources. A reciprocal obligation not only to the Earth but to each other will be emphasized by utilizing Indigenous knowledge systems. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in elementary/middle school education could pursue careers as licensed elementary school teachers, daycare administrators, preschool teachers, Ojibwe immersion teachers, or substitute teachers.

“We are incredibly grateful [to] be partnered with LCOOU and the Henry Luce Foundation to offer a teacher licensing track with an emphasis on Ojibwe language immersion! We are happy to offer this and future scholarships to support our future Ojibwe educators,” stated Dustin Burnette, the MIIN president.