There are only three native speakers of Bodéwadmimwen, the language of the Potawatomi, or Bodéwadmi people.
That’s according to Davis Henderson’s short film, Bodewadmi Ndaw, or “I am Potawatomi.”
In the 18-minute documentary, Henderson discusses not just the language, but how it was nearly wiped out by Indian boarding schools.
“There was a big term; ‘beat the Indian out of them.’ And I think that definitely came through and unfortunately was incredibly successful. And now we're just kind of here picking up the pieces.”
It’s an emotional film, one interviewee holds back tears as he discusses how difficult it is to learn his own language. And Henderson said learning that pain is part of learning the language.
“A lot of our history comes from pain and violence. And in order to step forward and do this, especially if you're a non-native person, you need to know why. Why it's so hard for us to come together with this language.”
But the film also touches on how tribes like the Pokagon and Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish are trying to keep this language and their culture alive. Something that will be continued by the event’s workshop, taught by Pokagon Band Tribal member Holden Day.
“Basic phrases like bozho is hello, bama pi is goodbye just like having people learn how to introduce themselves just like very basic stuff.”
Day added this rudimentary knowledge will serve as a stepping stone to future learning.
“If they feel inspired to keep learning the language or coming to Pow Wow or coming to our language conference or coming to like these events that we do, that they have a basic understanding and feel more empowered to take up that space.”
The event will be held at 6pm Thursday at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.
“I'm hoping that people come away wanting to learn more, wanting to do more and getting this respect for the subject matter that's covered here in this wonderful film and also for the language,” KIA Associate Program Curator Miriam Thomas said.
Michael Symonds reports for WMUK through the Report for America national service program.
