Miigwech for a Wonderful School Year!

We hope your summer is off to a peaceful and joy-filled start, with time to rest, reconnect, and enjoy the long light of these northern days.

As we reflect on the 2024–2025 school year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to students, families, staff, and Community for a beautiful year of learning, growth, and connection.

We ended our school year with fun and spirit, including a full-day, local field trip celebrating Grand Portage—visiting Spirit Little Cedar Tree and offering asemaa pouches, touring the Native Fish Hatchery, receiving casting lessons from Robert James, then adventuring to Grand Portage State Park where students were greeted with lessons in wildlife and Ojibwe teachings from Naturalist, Roger James. Students shared their Ojibwemowin knowledge with pride (and Mr. James was impressed with their Ojibwemowin skills!), enjoyed a hike to the High Falls and a picnic lunch with friends and staff.

On our final day, we held a joyful student and staff awards ceremony with drumming by the Stone Bridge Singers, an Ojibwe prayer from Dr. Erik Redix, and reflections from Director James, celebrating student success and academic growth. We honored our 5th-grade graduate and shared a community meal including grilled food, herbal teas prepared by Tess Bailey, and cupcakes from Crosby Bakery, celebrating our school colors. Keeping with Oshki Ogimaag tradition, we closed out the year fishing together at the marina.

Miigwech to each of you for making this year so special. We will be sending newsletters in July and August with updates and announcements—keep an eye on your inbox!

It has been our joy and honor to witness his growth, creativity, and determination over the years.

Caleb is a talented artist with a sharp mind for math—his favorite subject. He shared that what he loved most about OOCS was “learning cool things in math” and always feeling supported in his learning. Whether he needed help or wanted to explore something new, Caleb felt heard and seen.

He has a big heart, a bright spirit, and dreams just as bold—especially his dream of playing in the NFL one day. He loves sports, especially football, and was admired by younger students who looked up to him. He formed special connections with teachers and staff, especially Ms. Kat, and loved his time in Ojibwe class.

As he steps into his next chapter, we send our pride and love with him. The path ahead is wide, and Caleb will always have a place with us.

May the wind carry your dreams and the drumbeat remind you—you are never walking alone.

Gichi-apiitendaagwad - It is something to be greatly honored, respected.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s graduates. Your hard work and perseverance are things to be proud of, and we wish you continued growth and success in the path ahead.

May your spirit stay strong, and may the road ahead rise to meet you with purpose and possibility. Our love and support is with you as go forward on your journey.

• Tucker Berglund
• Denali Blackwell
• Kassia Deschampe
• Robyn Deschampe
• MaTaya Fairbanks
• Natalie LePrairie
• Shay LeGarde
• Lynicia Lightfeather
• Javantae Love
• Seqouia Morrin
• Trevor Morris
• Matthew Poulin
• Anelicia Poyirier
• Aanakwad Redix
• Talon Sherer
• Chandler Young

We want to start by highlighting our Board of Directors. We extend heartfelt gratitude to our Board of Directors, who volunteer their time with such generosity, dedication, and care. Their stewardship, guidance, and steadfast support have been vital to strengthening Oshki Ogimaag and shaping our path forward.

• Tesha Dickenson - Parent Member, Board Chairperson
• Kristin Lindenmuth - Parent Member, Vice Chairperson
• John Morrin - Community Member, Treasurer
• Tina Gatzke - Teacher Member, Secretary
• Agatha Armstrong - Community Member
• Joanne Czeswik - Community Member
• Patty Winchell-Dahl - Community Member
• Jeana Isaac - (former Teacher Member and Vice Chairperson)

• To the Stone Bridge Singers, for the powerful and meaningful drumming you’ve offered at our ceremonies and special events - your drumming carries the heartbeat of our Community.

• To Peter James, OOCS Strategic Planning Consultant, your work supporting the OOCS Board and Staff this past year went far above and beyond expectation - your steady support has guided OOCS since is founding, with your role in helping OOCS achieve charter status, and your wisdom and guidance continues to help shape our future.
• To Tess Bailey, Grand Portage Community Nutrition Educator, for nourishing our bodies and spirits-through healthy foods, herbal teas, outdoor openfire cooking, and lessons in gardening and wellness. Your presence, multiple times each week, is so appreciated, as is your energy and humor! You bring both sustenance and warmth to every gathering.
• To Dr. Erik Redix, Grand Portage Ojibwe Language and Environmental Education Coordinator, for your dedication to Ojibwe language revitalization through hosting weekly Ojibwe Language Table, and coordinating cultural and environmental events that center our students in identity and tradition.
• To Naturalists Roger James and Daniel Deschampe (and OOCS Parent!), for offering environmental teachings, cultural knowledge, and Ojibwemowin lessons that deepen student learning and connection to place.
• To Robert James, for guiding our students with casting lessons and participating in cultural activities throughout the school year-your time and care have made lasting memories.
• To Erik Carlson, Emily Derke and Amy Bell, for sharing your knowledge and energy to support environmental and cultural learning at OOCS-your partnership enriches our programming and our land-based education.
• To Lynn Sheils, for your partnership, communication, and support, as we collaborate in nurturing our youngest Community members from Head Start-your bridge-building fosters the seeds of future learning.
• To Leslie Olson and Brittany Anderson, for your steady and ongoing support of OOCS students, staff, and families-your presence at events and support in classrooms have tremendous positive impact upon our Community of learners!
• To Julisa Swader, for your unwavering enthusiasm and advocacy for Grand Portage youth, and for your collaborative spirit and commitment to positive communication and connection.

• Anne Brataas - MN Children’s Press- for leading inspiring Writer’s Workshops sessions with all OOCS students.
• Carly Puch - for offering weekly intergenerational yoga sessions to all OOCS students that center breath, movement and mindfulness.
• Susan Ferguson, North House Folk School - for After School Woodworking classes that build skills, confidence, and creativity.
• Sue Hennessy - Grand Marais Playhouse - for bringing storytelling to life through After-School Theater and working with our school to produce our Holiday Program.
• Gene Boshey - for guiding weekly boys’ drumming sessions that uplift identity and Community.
• To the Staff of the 1854 Treaty Authority , miigwech for instruction during cultural activities that deepens students’ understanding of tradition, land and identity.
• To the Grand Portage National Monument Staff, for your support-your partnership enriches our students’ experiences and deepens their connection to place-based history and learning.
• To the Cook County YMCA - for providing swimming lessons to all OOCS students, a joyful and vital part of their growth.

We all look forward to summer break with warmer weather, summer festivals, swimming, and all the wonders and adventures that summer offers!

However, the transition to summer is a BIG one -just as the transition back-to-school is! Our schedules are often different in the summer, frequently more flexible-and for some students who thrive on routine and knowing what to expect-this can be challenging. Talking through plans with your child or having a family calendar can help your child know what to expect and help better prepare them. Whatever works for your family, communication is the key and can go a long way in preventing dysregulated behaviors.

These books, rooted in the senses and aligned with Minnesota kindergarten standards, are a beautiful tool for early learners to explore the world through an Ojibwe lens.

Erika’s journey to create these books began after taking her first Ojibwe language class with Anton Treuer in 2010. What started as a personal search for simple, culturally grounded stories for her own children evolved into a community effort years in the making. With support from the Maada’ooking Grant Program, Bemidji Area Arts Endowment, Riverfeet Press, and many first-language Ojibwe speakers, Erika helped bring this vision to life with care, collaboration, and cultural integrity.

These are truly community books—illustrated by youth, guided by Elders, and created with the purpose of language revitalization, storytelling, and environmental connection. We are honored to include them in our classrooms and shared learning spaces here at Oshki Ogimaag.

• What: OOCS Board Meeting
• When: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 4:30pm
• Where: OOCS Conference Room

June

• 18 OOCS Board Meeting, 4:30pm, OOCS Conference Room

July

• 16 OOCS Board Meeting, 4:30pm, OOCS Conference Room