New director of Oshki Ogimaag Anna Deschampe
As school begins at Oshki Ogimaag in Grand Portage, students will be welcomed by new Director Anna Deschampe and a new focus on incorporating Ojibwe language in every aspect of the school day.
Deschampe took a break from preparations for the new school year to talk to the News- Herald by phone last week. She said she is very excited about her new role at the school. “I started about a week and a half ago—just in time for school!” she laughed.
Although she is a new director, she has been involved with Oshki Ogimaag since the charter school was established in September
2009, as Grand Portage education director, as a school board member and parent.
Deschampe said she is especially excited about the work of the Grand Portage Language Revitalization Team, which is collaboration between Oshki Ogimaag and the community to preserve Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language. She said a full-time language teacher, Douglas Gagnon, would be working with students in the classroom.
As well as working with students in kindergarten through sixth grade, several community events are planned. “We will be offering the opportunity for family and community members to learn the language, or increase their skills if they have the basics. We want to use everyone as a teacher,” said Deschampe.
Some things will be the same for returning Oshki Ogimaag students. The school will still have its own bus, driven by Larry “Fish” Deschampe and Oshki Ogimaag is not changing its schedule. School starts on the same day as School District 166— September 4—but Oshki Ogimaag is remaining on a Monday – Friday school week schedule.
Anyone with questions about Oshki Ogimaag is encouraged to call the school at (218) 475-2112. School board meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month. More information can also be found on the school website at www.oshkiogimaag.org.
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