Gimiwan Dustin Burnette, a veteran Ojibwe language immersion teacher and founder of the Midwest Indigenous Immersion Network (MIIN), provides an answer:

“Every bird is given a birdsong. That song is how it expresses itself and how it is known.”

Art by Raven Jiang for Henry Luce Foundation

For the Ojibwe people, language is a profound gift. It plays a critical role in shaping their identity and how they are perceived by the world.

Today, there are fewer than 25 first-language Ojibwe speakers remaining, with most others learning the language as a second language. It may take a full generation before Ojibwe regains its “cradle language” status, where it is spoken fluently from birth. Recognized by Guinness World Records as one of the most difficult languages to learn, Ojibwe demands a deep commitment from new learners, many of whom are striving to regain fluency without immersive environments.

In Episode 2 of Luce Change, Interim President Sean Buffington interviews Gimiwan, who shares his journey from growing up disconnected from the Ojibwe language to becoming a passionate teacher, leader, and advocate for its revitalization. As the President of MIIN and a former Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellow, Gimiwan underscores the urgency and responsibility of learning and teaching Ojibwe in today’s world.

As English increasingly dominates globally and has been declared the official language of the United States, Gimiwan’s narrative offers a compelling counterpoint: language is not merely a form of cultural expression; it is a vital democratic necessity.

Democracy relies on the ability of people to articulate their world in their own words. Through language, communities express their values, transmit knowledge, resolve conflicts, and envision futures. Ojibwe, like other Indigenous languages, is an original language, existing in the US prior to the creation of American democracy. In Ojibwe communities, the act of teaching and learning the language transcends cultural significance; it embodies essential democratic work. It ensures that self-governance, identity, and belonging are upheld on their own terms, preserving the richness of their heritage for future generations.