The LAC courte oreilles chippewa band of lake superior indians of wisconsin, in collaboration with the waadookodaading ojibwe language immersion school, will strengthen ojibwe language preservation…

The Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin received a $219,701 Project Grant award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program (CFDA 45.308), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. In collaboration with the Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Immersion School, the awardee will develop and deliver an educational curriculum focused on traditional Ojibwe clothing design from 1824 to 1845, serving 22 students in grades 4-9 through hands-on classes, workshops, and field trips facilitated by cultural practitioners and tribal museum staff.

The funded project will produce expanded museum educational offerings and strengthened Ojibwe language preservation initiatives while building institutional capacity through curriculum development, staff training, and program evaluation. Key project components include support for project administrators, tribal elder experts, and an independent evaluator to conduct formative and summative evaluations, update instructional policies, and generate measurable outcomes demonstrating increased community engagement and cultural knowledge retention. Upon completion, the project is intended to enhance the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Museum's educational services and advance broader cultural heritage preservation objectives within the tribal community.

The LAC courte oreilles chippewa band of lake superior indians of wisconsin, in collaboration with the waadookodaading ojibwe language immersion school, will strengthen ojibwe language preservation and cultural heritage through an educational project focused on traditional clothing design from 1824 to 1845. Twenty-two students, from fourth through ninth grades, will participate in hands-on classes, workshops, and field trips, guided by cultural practitioners and LAC courte oreilles tribal museum staff. Funds will support project administrators, tribal elder experts, and an evaluator to update programming and instructional policies, undertake curriculum development and training, and conduct formative and summative evaluations. The project will result in expanding museum educational offerings and increasing community engagement and cultural knowledge.