Dr. Anton Treuer, professor of languages and indigenous studies at Bemidji State University, recently published his 19th book, “The Language Warrior’s Manifesto: How to Keep Our Languages Alive No Matter the Odds.”
The book presents a call to action, incorporating stories of failure and success, to preserve indigenous languages. A renowned leader in efforts to revitalize the Ojibwe language, Treuer examines the relationship between language and culture, discusses strategies for resisting language loss and presents encouraging stories of those who are diligently working to preserve the language.
“Language revitalization is not just for indigenous people. It’s for all of us. I’ve devoted my life to Ojibwe language and culture work and I believe it can make the world a better place for everyone. This book lays it all out,” said Treuer.
In the book, published on Feb. 15, Treuer recounts his own difficulty learning Ojibwe as an adult and describes several successful language revitalization programs — including one at Lac Courte Oreilles in Sawyer County, Wisconsin, where children speak Ojibwe as their first language.
“A language embodies the unique worldview of a people. All humans of all races and cultural backgrounds have been and continue to be impacted by colonialism,” Treuer said. “We all need healing. And we all need help solving the problems generated by colonialism—violence, racism, climate degradation. The colonial cultures of the world may not have all the solutions to the problems they created. We have to look outside of those cultures in the languages and cultures of other people to solve the world’s problems.”
ABOUT DR. ANTON TREUER
An internationally renowned expert on cultural and language preservation, Treuer has authored 19 books and is a professor in the Department of Languages and Indigenous Studies at Bemidji State University. His book, “Ojibwe in Minnesota,” was named Minnesota’s Best Read by the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress in 2010. He edited “Awesiinyensag: Dibaajimowinan Ji-gikinoo’amaageng,” an Ojibwe-language children’s book that was named Minnesota’s Best Read for 2011. And In 2012, he won the Award of Merit from the American Association of State and Local History for his book, “The Assassination of Hole in the Day.”
At BSU, Treuer teaches courses on Ojibwe language, culture, history and literature. Prior to joining the BSU faculty, Treuer spent four years as an assistant professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Treuer is a member of the Minnesota State Arts Board and has served on the boards for the White Earth Land Recovery Project and the Sanford/MeritCare health system. He has received dozens of awards and fellowships from organizations including the American Philosophical Society, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Science Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the Bush Foundation and the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation.
Treuer has a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and holds master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Minnesota.
Contact
- Dr. Anton Treuer, professor of languages and indigenous studies; 218-755-2032, anton.treuer@bemidjistate.edu
Links
- Dr. Anton Treuer
- “The Language Warrior’s Manifesto” at the Minnesota Historical Society
- BSU American Indian Resource Center
- Languages and Indigenous Studies
Bemidji State University, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling more than 5,100 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. The university’s Shared Fundamental Values include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and international and multicultural understanding. For more, visit bemidjistate.edu or find us at BemidjiState on most of your favorite social media networks.
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