I Secretly Learned the World’s Rarest Language Then Met Tribal Elders

There are currently less than 10 elders on Walpole Island (aka Bkejwanong) who still fluently speak their dialect of the Ojibwe language known as nishinaabemowin. I spent a month secretly learning their language and then visited the community and met with tribal elders and people around town. None of them had any idea that I had been learning one of the rarest dialects of one of the world’s rarest languages, and we had a great time!
I'm running this video as a fundraiser for the First Nations Development Institute which strengthens Native American communities and economies. To learn more go to: www.firstnations.org/
The community is now also trying to raise funds for a dedicated center to help preserve their language. If you’d like to donate to that, check out their GoFundMe here: gofund.me/6eeff19c
0:00 Introduction
0:47 Morning ceremony
1:45 Visiting the school
2:24 Ordering coffee in Ojibwe
5:27 Visiting local food shop
6:07 Meeting the elders
10:14 Trying Ojibwe food for the first time
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[@xiaomanyc]

Hey all! The community is now also trying to raise funds for a dedicated center to help preserve their language. If you’d like to donate to that, check out their GoFundMe here: gofund.me/6eeff19c

[@Smeowtime]

Free Tibet

[@lessss]

This is a rare language “Wolof”

[@jaycorwin1625]

Good video and good job! It's nice to see you putting your talents to use with American languages.

[@derricktalbot8846]

MY GUY! Wish I knew you were coming here. The Island really needs more excitement in the entire area to learn the language, and not just participate in the culture through English. It is probably coming to a point where we will need AI to step in and preserve as much of it as we can. Do you have a recommendation for a specific AI?

[@habba929]

Hands down, this is your best video yet! There is so much more to this than your other videos. On the surface, it may seem like just another video about learning & speaking a different language, but there is a much bigger message going on. It's so very important for everyone to see this and understand why their situation is like this. They are survivors. Thank you for making this video & shining a light on their story.

[@baileybrewer1172]

This is the first time I’ve ever felt like you visibly struggled with a language. You’re extremely committed to your practice and being respectful to indigenous cultures. Respect to you sir!

[@jama211]

He still did well for one month, but wow it must be hard!

[@AlexBizzar]

Agreed. Native American languages are surprisingly difficult. Either way, as you mention, it's still awesome to watch him work and pay respects by learning a groups' language.

[@needsaride15126]

@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ Bible thump elsewhere. Enough bible thumpers tried to wipe them out and steal their land.

[@dagman85]

@@needsaride15126 - the Bible itself has nothing to do with bad treatment of natives. That's just people making bad choices, regardless of whether or not they believe in the Bible. It probably shows that they need to pay more attention to what the Bible actually says.

[@NoOne-zg1bp]

@@dagman85 the bible was written by people from the middle east who the west is committed to genociding so, yeah..

[@ZEVA1970]

As a Native American myself, this video was very emotional for me. It shows many people that us Natives still exist and follow our practices to this day. As well as we are just normal people.

[@wanderbread4217]

[@redsteddi]

I agree it's so touching and real..God bless 🙏 the people...

[@Wingless-]

Every new generation that learns the language and the culture is another victory.

[@amandahirschfeld7382]

❤️

[@briellehunter7233]

Well obviously you still exist and are normal. Why would you think otherwise. I’m cree from Alberta, hi

[@Maeyoulove]

I'm Ojibwe and one time a year ago I saw your videos and I thought to myself "It would be cool to see this guy come to Canada and try Ojibwe" I thought it would NEVER happen! This makes me so happy to see you on the land and immerse in our culture. I appreciate you so much for this!

[@johnal2229]

Yes. I live in Ontario as well and I have been to Wallaceburg a few times by invite from someone in Guelph. When he said Wallaceburg, I had to search Walpole Island to see if it's yhe Wallaceburg in Ontario. Pretty cool because I've only went there to one destination. Very cool

[@pimcramer2569]

Hello, curious, could you explain to me why it wasn't possible to teach their kids the language?

[@heatheruhrich6136]

@@pimcramer2569 Look into residential schools. Kids were taken from their families and put in the schools specifically to strip them of their language and culture.

[@EmersetFarquharson]

Yeah they were taken from their parents and placed into boarding schools specifically created to “take the Indian out of the child” (in the words of Canada’s first Prime Minister, John A. Macdonald).

[@DahliasDrive]

@@pimcramer2569The red-headed lady said it was because they cannot do it without the help of the elders. Immersion is how someone gets from “kind of knowing a language” to being able to be fully fluent in the language comfortably. It’s not possible to become fluent when there is no opportunity for immersion. The lady said she has been speaking for a long time and still cannot even conjugate the way the elders do. It is simply that there are not enough speakers to be able to learn from to be able to teach the children.

[@nish.416]

As an Ojibway man, I am jealous of your ability to learn the language so easily. I was stripped of my language at a very young age due to residential school and the foster-care system. You've videos are awesome... been following your path for a while. So many people don't realize their language is a huge part of who they are. If I remember correctly you learned the Navajo language too? Amazing!! Spread the positivity!! :D

[@dorinda4891]

I'm so sorry that happened to you. The Ojibway language is beautiful.

[@mamabear5289]

I AM SO SORRY THIS HAPPENED TO YOU ITS NEVER TOO LATE. SORRY what was done to your people ❤

[@emmettdonkeydoodle6230]

Just in this comments section alone there are other speakers. Find someone and start learning. It’s never too late as long as there are still speakers

[@nish.416]

@@emmettdonkeydoodle6230 Everyone tells me it's so easy... when you have your language beaten out of you... it makes it really hard to learn any language other then the one you are forced to learn. Trust me... I dont need people that dont know or understand, telling me how easy it is.

[@emmettdonkeydoodle6230]

@@nish.416 If you read my comment, I never said it was easy, I said it was possible. There is a difference there. Don’t give up. I will literally find resources for you if you are genuinely interested in learning the language.

[@derekd1997]

As a Canadian this made me emotional. Canada has been so horrible to the natives. Hearing about her experience in residential schools is heartbreaking.

[@GuillaumePerronNantel]

Less of Canada more because of Christianity. Christianity made the move to assimilate. Their inability to see further than their nose made it so they couldn’t accept different people

[@jacobit49]

Unfortunately I think the whole colonial world has been so horrible to the natives. What a significant loss of life and culture.

[@charleshammel8541]

The wording of "forced assimilation" sounds quite whitewashed

[@Mrgaming34241]

No they werent, natives were worse to themselves. Would still be living in huts and dying at 20 in a human sacrifice after losing to the rival clan.

[@0Tyson0]

@@jacobit49 we were never going to live in mud huts, worshipping the wind and dirt forever. 99% of native populations on earth have been taken over, multiple times and most have been entirely eradicated. its just how the world works, march forward. if you still exist and in canadas case are still supported, then you should consider yourself lucky.

[@majicktek5051]

I LOVE how you don't just learn the language and try to shock people but you also immerse yourself in their culture which in turn gives you more linguistic knowledge

[@Zane-It]

I've seen many polyglot channels call him out for just trying to shock people. But knowing that he's donating everything he makes from this video to charity I don't know if he is just trying to shock people.

[@Alex-mv3ht]

@@Zane-It I mean, 90% of his titles are "White guy SHOCKS X speaking Y!"

[@Zane-It]

@@Alex-mv3ht yeah and there is over 50,000 ojibwe native speakers so I really wouldn't call the language rare I know languages in the US way rarer than that. But at the same time I don't want to disrespect the ojibwe people.

[@maxbowen6482]

@@Zane-It he did say it was this specific dialect of ojibwe

[@Zane-It]

@@maxbowen6482 the Appalachian dialect of English is still English

[@trevor0100]

No way this is my hometown language finally some recognition. Miigwech brother!!! Our language is becoming so scarce and for you to bring it to light is something else! Our language is so beautiful and descriptive but so hard to learn. I've been learning for years and still learn everyday, and you come and make conversation with elders with less than a years practice. You are insanely intelligent

[@collisw8302]

Looks like a lovely place :)

[@TheGreenTeabagger]

how do you say i like boobies in that language

[@gregmillar8282]

Apchi go niminwaabaa doodoosh

[@stefanschleps8758]

@@TheGreenTeabagger Everybody likes boobies. Instead of speaking three thousand languages. We all just use the universal sign language for squeezing boobies and smile, and everybody knows what you mean!

[@yunobeat]

it deserves the spotlight! as all languages do

[@mataharii161]

Hearing her speak about the residential school broke my heart. It feels so long ago in those photos, but it was so recent. Thank you for raising awareness for this culture!

[@TheSteeltec]

Yeah, here in Australia it was pretty bad for the natives too, it was called the stolen generation and they separated the aboriginal kids from their parents and took them away from their culture to make them more white, then married them to white people to literally breed the aboriginals out of existence. and this happened from the mid-1800s to even the 1970s. All of this stuff still happened seeming not too long ago

[@mataharii161]

@@TheSteeltec that is absolutely horrific

[@jimmyboe25]

I was friends with men and women whose families where massacred in cold blood during a full moon celebration during the early 1900’s

[@irishdivajeffries6668]

Youre so very smart to absorb these languages!

[@diannehortonpong1388]

My best friend from high school in Northern California, who is Nisenan, had the same issues. Her tribe wasn't allowed to speak their language, either. She and the tribe created a non-profit organization to help the elders teach others their language. She has even learned to speak Nisenan herself and are teaching the next generation of young speakers. May all first nation tribes NOT lose their language...it is pertinent to their survival!

[@darrell1829]

the rarer the language spoken, the more positive impact it has. the fact that you endeavour to learn their ways of living and history speak volumes. Helping to prevent the language becoming extinct. great job, Xiaoma. 👍👍

[@user-ky5ev6sk1q]

@@pineapplerindmno

[@pineapplerindm]

@@user-ky5ev6sk1q sorry i did not think

[@hamster2845]

I slightly disagree. Language is a tool for conveying ideas to build up a society to prosperity. Culture is a vehicle to carry forth moral principles to make that society sustainable. If it takes a lifetime to learn a language then how efficient is that language in teaching ideas and morality to the next generation. Just because tradition like language is rare and difficult to learn doesn't make it valuable to building a society.

[@noahturner7123]

@@hamster2845 Language is carried by immersion not efficiency. No language is easy, and even the most widespread language on the planet besides Mandarin (English) is not really an 'efficient' nor easy language. The more widespoken a language is in an area and the number of people that speak it---> the more resources you have to learn. It's value comes from its unique perspective and typically the way it teaches you to perceive the world. Language is a carrier of ideas in even the smallest levels, the simple use of articles and conjugated words can give one an entirely different perspective. Language and culture are also intertwined and inseparable. Stories, phrases, humor, idioms that make sense in one language don't make a mite of sense in another. Much of the culture of a people can be found in its language, and is passed on in it.

[@No1sonuk]

@@noahturner7123 I think you're confusing "most widespread" and "most spoken". English is the most widespread as there are large numbers of native speakers, and many secondary, all around the world. Mandarin may have more people numerically that are native speakers, but probably mostly concentrated in China, so "widespread" doesn't really apply.

[@VannBighorse]

I was formally the director of the Osage Language Department now I'm a Cabinet Secretary for the Osage Nation. Culture, Language, and Education are part of my cabinet. I was very impressed with your ability to converse in Ojibwe language! I have watched many of your videos traveling all over the world learning and speaking back in their particular languages. I would really like to visit with you about language preservation.

[@SomewhereInSpace666]

If you want to preserve language, you start by preserving sovereignty, which the First Nations people of Canada do not have so long as they're reliant on the welfare checks given by Indian Affairs. They're the only people in the world who are paid to pretend that they're independent.

[@tz4601]

​ @Kevin, The Cardigan The ignorance expressed in this comment is astounding. The actions of the European colonizers over the past centuries are THE reason why native peoples' cultures, languages, and ways of life have been systematically dismantled. So let me get this straight. Are you really saying, "You can't work to preserve the culture that we have killed until you stop accepting the payments we are offering you as a form of restitution for killing your culture"? The European Canadian and American governments are THE REASON native peoples lost their sovereignty in the first place. Truly mind boggling.

[@SomewhereInSpace666]

@@tz4601 Wikwemikong First Nation in Ontario Canada banished me for standing up for my wife's rights who is native there. Never committed a crime, but my wife did run for local government and it's unfortunate how they abuse their powers to make political statements and to maintain their salaries as government employees. They learn racism and oppression from their colonizers and use it against their own people to earn the acceptance of the white man. Money always ruins everything. Politics and family life are inextricably linked. You can only imagine what today's political climate means for the many families who have to live on these reserves. It's unfortunate how many Canadian First Nations are basically entire communities on welfare and their entire culture has been subverted as means to protect that check from the government. Their people and culture would've faired far better if they had actually maintained sovereignty like the tribes in the US. Wikwemikong's previous chief was ousted, but not before stepping down from his duties (Against their own governance manual) and running for the Liberal Party of Canada. Liberal media and government attempt to control the native people's through the invention of regional chiefs (A government position that has no ties to any tribe) and if you read any political commentary from Canadian media, you'll see how they use these regional chiefs to control the voice of the native people. If you really press the issue and try to ask questions such as who determines the chief and council's agenda, (It's not the councilors or the chief), you begin to realize that practically all Canadian First Nations are extensions of the Canadian Government, who still actively tries to destroy and assimilate the native peoples. As recently as the 90's when the Wetsuweten people took the Canadian government to court over control of their title to the land, the judges concluding remarks were that the native peoples were primitive and couldn't even invent the wheel and exist at the sole benefit and pleasure of the Crown. Living in Wikwemikong was the most ridiculously backwards and racist experience I've ever had in my life. The leadership felt no obligation to follow their own laws and procedures. Without exaggeration, it's exactly like living under a dictatorship. People would literally refuse to talk to me and looked away just because I was a foreigner. They learned well from their oppressors. They care a lot about social media and looking good on there though, so that explains your positive experience. I also can't help but notice a fundraiser, which you do not have on many of your other videos. They sure love free money now you're REALLY talking their language. They don't need more free money, their people need to learn to earn their own money or to live a traditional lifestyle with no need for money.

[@SomewhereInSpace666]

@@tz4601 These people are being paid to continue to assimilate and oppress each other. That is the reality. Money is not solving the issue here it's creating the issue.

[@SomewhereInSpace666]

@@tz4601 leaders in these communities are power hungry and greedy, its a massive well known problem in canada, they still get handed tons of money, and yet they live like 3rd world citizen due to their own corruption on reserves.

[@UsDiYoNa]

Ay, Eastern Band Cherokee here 👋🏽 usually I don’t appreciate the virtue signaling “good” that outsiders try to come and film, but *this* actually means something. It breathes life into dying culture, and *that* I appreciate.

[@kevy999]

That is heartbreaking to hear how as kids they were mistreated and others died, only for speaking their own language. Thank you for highlighting this beautiful language, people and culture.

[@georgesonm1774]

Truly heartbreaking, yes. I had no idea the Canadian govt did that kind of thing to the Natives - these facts should be talked about more often (outside Canada, I mean)

[@marshmallow7640]

@@georgesonm1774 people normally think about the American residential schools but forget that Canada also had them. A lot of that has to do with the invisibility of First Nations outside of Canada.

[@Gikendasso]

NO FRICKEN WAY ARIEH!!!!! I am Ojibwe, living in Minnesota. It also happens to be my birthday today. 😊 I haven’t even watched the video yet. I saw the title and wondered what adventure you were taking next. KZbin gave me a preview with captions and I saw “OJIBWE.” And literally yelled “OH MY GOD!!” When I was a little girl, my mom would take us to visit her grandma, my great grandma Sybil and all she spoke was Ojibwe. I can understand it but have a hard time speaking it and I’ve been on my own journey to change that! ♥️ Gigawaabamin-menawaa

[@Gikendasso]

EDIT: I wish they taught you how to say blueberry pie!!! Lmao

[@tatradak]

He's an extraordinary young man... Its a privilege to have some understanding of your language.. Here is Scotland we have Gaelic!! Really on Scots from the Highland West Coast speak the Gaelic..

[@JT_Gamble]

@@Gikendasso I used to live in Minnesota and moved back last year to go back to college and since being there I’ve heard people talk about the whole blueberry pie thing so many times lol

[@willvr4]

I'm glad this brought you joy, it was a great video! And happy belated birthday! Sending you good vibes here from NY. 🙂

[@yok4343]

Sounds like a birthday gift from ari 😂

[@JohnnySundahl]

This was really emotional for me. As an Ojibwe in Minneapolis, I was brought by my father to hear the Elders tell our tales as a child, completely in Ojibwe I still tell these stories to my son, though I can only stumble through a few of the words now. The stories are what is important, but the language is what tied us all to each other. Thank you so much for this. It's far more important than you might realize.

[@yuranamo]

yoo I'm also ojibwe from minneapolis, small world

[@chiefmorso]

Shout out to the 612! I grew up in both Mpls and the Rez (Ontario). Always makes me proud seeing fellow kneej in the cities.

[@inacachou4016]

@@yuranamosame

[@danielmizrahi9629]

keep speaking it man! you and your people can continue it on forever!!

[@ashleyking3385]

my husband is ojibwe (I'm Irish ) he doesn't know ojibwe and had no interest in teaching our kids so I've been doing it. in my family it's your blood right to learn your bloodline and language. One way I've gotten the kids used to the words is we switch out English words. So they have a book called The Noisey Bear. In it we say makwa. Same with other books. I make sure I pronounce the words as best I can. They sometimes say ojibwe words in the middle of English sentences (which is what I wanted). they are 3 and 5 this year I'm starting them on Irish Gaelic too. please keep up the language 🙏 🙂

[@JacobHarvietheSinger]

This video got me crying. Growing up as a person with an indigenous background feels like being invisible. Seeing the smudging ceremony and the care he put into respecting this often ignored and misunderstood culture was very powerful, and I thank you for using your platform to bring attention to a corner of the world that most people don't even realize is there.

[@SteveSmith-sw9uu]

You are not invisible, I am 8% so I might be biased but natives are legendary people

[@tinker651]

You're not alone, learn, take space, be loud. We are still here ❤

[@BethanyNash]

Did she say they just found more BODIES??? The absolute horror these people and their ancestors have experienced is astounding, and the fact that we’re not all constantly talking about it is horrifying. Thank you for bringing light to their experience and history. I hope many people see this!!!

[@smitty7326]

Yes. It's worth looking up, and I think even important to do so. We think of this stuff as sad but ancient history. However, as you see much of it is so recent that it's not even history yet as people are alive now who went through these things

[@WVBigfoot]

What should one look up to find more info about that? I'm not even sure where to start.

[@smitty7326]

@@WVBigfoot Maybe a good starting point is the wiki page "American Indian boarding schools" or the similar page for Canada. For the specific thing with finding bodies, you can google the same phrase with "bodies" behind it for news articles to come up. In short: Both the US and Canada introduced boarding schools which they forced indigenous children into, and an outright goal was getting them to forget their culture and learn American/European culture. Combine that with racist ideologies where many running the schools viewed the kids as being less than people, and those schools were responsible for horrible things

[@IanTranSend]

Yeah I was surprised to learn some of them closed really recently, like the 1980s in Michigan and early 2000s in Canada recent and that there are still some technically still in operation out there. Indian Residential Boarding Schools will lead to a lot. The Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition will have a lot of info available to learn from as well as resources and support for survivors.

[@tomiz17]

Why tf should we talk about it. Let it go

[@promptlyjoebrown4305]

I really appreciate Xiaoma pointing out when he's mispronounced something and confused people. One of the most stressful parts of learning a new language is the fear of making mistakes, but you always show us that people appreciate it when you try and are almost always kind and patient with new language learners.

[@tokyogamer5825]

Only exception would be the french. 😂

[@g.3521]

@@tokyogamer5825 the french will skin and eat u alive if you pronounce a letter that's supposed to be silent

[@igrojikku2212]

As a 22yr old gas station attendant who see’s every culture walk in my store, In a world that’s pretty much trilingual (Mandarin,Latin[Derived languages should specify] and English), I’ve also learned that people of a different language LOVE and RESPECT that somebody is going out of their way to GENUINELY try and connect with them on a more human base/level 💞. I’ve picked up more Spanish working the gas station than I ever did in my 4 years of high school Spanish 😅

[@willismc77]

Hey I'm Ojibwe from the area! My grandmother was a fluent speaker as well before she passed away 26 years ago. She used to teach me words all the time, unfortunately I only can remember a few of them. Some of my family will still mix in a few words with our English. This was such an amazing video to see, miigwetch!!!

[@demmyglubber2496]

@@fightingchicken2009 ?

[@nutnut3246]

@@fightingchicken2009 It’s not kind to accuse someone as a liar. In any case, I believe them. 👍

[@fightingchicken2009]

@@demmyglubber2496 I was trying to troll didn't go so well

[@fightingchicken2009]

@@nutnut3246 yes my attempt at trolling failed miserably

[@nutnut3246]

@@fightingchicken2009 It’s alright. Please keep in mind that in this circumstance, it’s not polite to troll, okay? 💐

[@rcarl5515]

This was the first time the residential school horrors were made so real to me, someone who learned about these for the first time about 3 years ago. I was never taught anything about residential schools in my American History classes. These people are survivors, and it was incredible to hear the strength in their voices speak about it. Truly a great video.

[@lyricessence]

This is why the current censorship movement in the U.S. is so incredibly dangerous. The people behind it want to erase all progress by not having history be taught.

[@Krthik462]

Wat happened to those schools

[@IanTranSend]

​@@Krthik462 heavy stuff but here's what I've been told by some folks and seen in researching too: in the Americas children usually would be forcibly taken from their families and these were used by churches and governments as ways to remove Indigenous Native American (and also Central + South American Indigenous) culture and language. On face the claim was to make them integrate into Western society with Industrial and Domestic job skills and education, but the core goal was coercive imposed through "Kill the Indian, save the man" and Doctrine of Discovery policies fron the Churches that usually classified dark skinned people as not having souls (a way for the Churches and several connected nations to rationalize enslaving people) or in need of the aggressive genocidal evangelization. A lot of people, hundreds to thousands or maybe, even tens or hundreds of thousands were beaten, sexually assaulted there, and many even died/were murdered and put into unmarked graves, or incinerated without notifying their families. There are hundreds, mayne even thousands of these "schools" across North America and there are still mass graves that have yet to be identified and many more with the remains of children who haven't been returned to their families and communities. They were especially prevalent from the 1800s and the most recent one to close stopped in the mid 1990s, some are technically still in operation today. It's a similar idea to how Re-education camps amd Concentration camps were used in other countries (a lot of the children wouldn't even be addressed with a name, they'd just be a number) but with Eurocentric settler/colonizer and/or Christian programming while violently punishing the children for speakingtheir language, and for dressing and living in their own cultural ways. They were a key part of the cultural and existential genocides against Native people. There are a lot of surviving parents and elders who won't talk about what they experienced, and others who reperpetuate the kinds of abuse they had been "taught as discipline" from the schools as a result, and of course lots of difficulties with mental health and trying to cope in often unhealthy ways as a result of those experiences.

[@BabyBoomer71]

Praying for healing in the hearts and souls of your people. This world has two faces. May God heal the hearts of your survivors and help them to fight injustice on a high court level.❤

[@LCM-ie2qs]

I am Ojibwe and I think this is amazing! I’m young and haven’t had the opportunity to learn my own language which saddens me. I know some phrases and how to count to 10 but I was only thought in kindergarten, and I don’t remember much. Not many people of my culture who are my age want to learn our original language anymore. I’m afraid that in the next 50 years there won’t be anyone left who knows the language fluently. Just seeing someone who even took an interest makes me so happy. Thank for this my friend it has made my day!!! P.S. I will not share my opinion on residential schools. I get very emotional on the subject.

[@kikijewell2967]

We must all listen to these stories and bear the sadness and suffering, so you do not bear it alone. ❤ This video is so important.

[@eyybabyj1397]

Latin has died in the sense communities don't speak it but It's still loved and studied to this day.

[@IanTranSend]

In case you haven't come across their channels, James Vukelich, Anton Treuer, Boozhoo Nanaboozhoo, and Kenny Pheasant (Odawa but Neshnaabemwin is really similar with maybe some fewer vowels and K instead of G in some consonants) might be helpful language instructors to follow also.

[@noahmatthews-cremomb2562]

As a First Nation of Canada(Mikmaq) I am so proud you selected a North American indigenous language to learn! Paqsitpi wela’lin! Thank you so much!

[@A_ree_ta]

Pusu’l! Wela’lin 💕 ns fam

[@BigpapamoneymanMVPtypebeat]

In Ontario a town called orillia has got a really cool fishing weir made by mikmaq, in a river that’s been dated to 6,000 years old (1,000 older then Stonehenge) . It’s documented by unesco as a heritage site. I’ve fished at the weirs and it’s an amazing feeling like going back in time

[@noahmatthews-cremomb2562]

@@BigpapamoneymanMVPtypebeat omg that’s amazing I had no idea that existed!

[@albertwesker5001]

Oneida First Nations here!

[@noahmatthews-cremomb2562]

@@albertwesker5001 Kwe’! Hello!

[@janellek21]

This may be the most important language Xiaoma has learned. With fewer than 10 fluent speakers left this language is 99% dead. Hopefully Xiaoma can help resurrect it.

[@GearsOfCake]

It's ok for things to die

[@JuanRodriguez-tf7fh]

@@GearsOfCake 🙊 😅

[@livableincome]

Can "help" resurrect it. No need to take anymore leadership away from indigenous peoples.

[@livableincome]

@@GearsOfCake Troll!

[@jenelinsky8581]

There are far more the 10 fluent speakers left. I can think of 20 just where I live.

[@zaccaryjohn]

I’m not Ojibwe, but as an indigenous person I want to say as we say as Tsalagi, wado (thank you) for highlighting our languages.

[@Rev_Legion]

It's so beautiful how you get joy from speaking other languages to the people who speak it. We call it a ''heart language'' when you do that, which means that you're not only using their language to speak to them but using your heart to speak to theirs. I live with a translator who speaks multiple languages too and he taught me that. He devours different languages like air just like you. ❤❤❤️

[@bekkahpuckett3287]

I am a Tlingit woman trying to learn my language from an app. I am so grateful to you for showing the native peoples struggles. Thank you for this. Bless you. Gunalchéesh

[@Backcountry_Craig]

I am from Alaska and use to live with a traditional Tlingit family in Ketchikan. I always loved that they bought me basic children’s book to learn simple words and names of animals! I’ve never felt less intelligent than when their 3 year old daughter was telling me how to say things

[@deirdrecorey3876]

My nephew is Tilingit adopted. I want him to know he came from good, strong people . He has love that radiates from. There's magic inside of him.

[@apac13]

Same, but in this case i am Kaigani Haida living in Juneau, trying to learn the Xaad Kíl language.

[@nicemmmm]

The woman’s story about speaking her native language in school and getting abused for it is so heartbreaking😕 Just goes to show how deeply rooted the racism is in America & how they tried so hard to push indigenous people out. Learning their languages & spreading awareness is such a huge start for a better future. Hope to see more content like this in the future ❤️ ur doing great!

[@vVPrototypeVv]

This is Canada not America. But the point remains. Canada was just as awful to the natives.

[@smapa1185]

This happened in Canada! Canada was just as bad as the US if not worse for their residential school

[@-whackd]

Wait til you look up the Indian-American wars against the plains Indians. It took almost twenty years (keep in mind America's military was fairly strong), but they were able to round up and genocide most of these strong and heroic warriors. They finally did it by killing off the North American bison in the millions.

[@Nathan-sh1zg]

im algonquin, we're very closely related to the ojibwe but not the same, both a part of the Anishinaabe though, and the amount of hardships canada has put us through and is STILL putting us through is... horrible. it is a silent extinction of culture, values, and language to this day. thank you so much for bringing these people, this issue, and just how endangered our languages are into the light

[@teeslea9345]

Kwe kwe!

[@ilay_ux]

less than 10 elders who fluently speak the language? man am I so happy that you're documenting such rare cultures. thank you for giving them a voice and everything you do!

[@jamielewis7332]

As an ojibway woman I didn't think I could love your channel any more than I already do. I've followed you for years, miigwetch for learning.

[@jayhat]

What do Ojibwe people think of William Kent Kruger’s Cork O Conner series of books (if you’re even familiar with it)? I’ve learned a lot of random ojibwemowin words and bits about your culture from them.

[@redsteddi]

I know it's so touching... even tho I am not native... I can't help but be touched by the people and the language..,.God bless 🙏

[@selkarogers7662]

I am super impressed by this guy's ability to learn this much Ojibwe this quickly. When I was little I understood it and spoke it but when my immediate family moved away from the family and friends speaking it to me all day every day I totally lost it and I have only been able to retain a few words and phrases over the years. It's hard to learn when it's not being spoken around you and when it's not being taught. Canada should look at how Ireland has preserved Gaelic as it was on the brink of extinction a couple generations ago and now pretty much everyone in Ireland speaks it now, even if just minimally.

[@zero-rj8sb]

Irish (Gaeilge, Gaelic is a Scottish language) isn't spoken as fluently as it might be assumed to be. After leaving secondary school, most people would only remember a few common words or phrases but the vast majority wouldn't be able to engage in conversational Irish. We are taught to memorise essays and answers to be able to pass exams but not much else. As a result we as a nation don't speak our own tongue, unless of course you put your own effort into learning the language

[@OCinneide]

@@zero-rj8sb every single sign post in Ireland is still in Irish. Every single government document is released in English and Irish and there’s an Irish language tv channel. It’s much better than it was.

[@zero-rj8sb]

@@OCinneide That doesn't change the fact that the majority wouldn't be able to speak it, especially younger generations

[@marisajk]

I'm currently learning a language and get disheartened sometimes because I still make lots of mistakes, and it was actually so encouraging to see you make mistakes in this video. I'm always so scared to practice speaking with natives for fear of making mistakes and you gave me a little extra courage to try harder and accept that mistakes will happen in the learning process, so thank you for showing us mistakes in this video! ❤️

[@seewise6383]

Best episode EVER! Soup is a verb not a noun, due to it being a "liquid" is amazing. That "Liquid" is making a choice and animate. This beautiful language is Incredible and Thank You for sharing and your transparency. I have been reading "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer , which speaks about some aspects of the Potawatami language. We are learning so much about how language shapes the way we think and realizing relationships across species.

[@ba2571]

Since you are doing Indigenous languages and cultures of America, It would be cool if you did Hawaiian and helped mainland americans learn about the history of Hawaii! We can relate to the Native Americans on a deep level.

[@gaaraman312]

Oh this is a great idea!! I'd love to see a whole series of Xiaoma learning different native languages! Hawaiian especially would be awesome.

[@jozz2248]

Some of those Hawaiian words are a workout 😁

[@LeonEdwards1976]

Before the invaders came to Hawaii, the Hawaiian language contained NO lying words. The invaders travelled round the island and removed the heads of anyone who would NOT speak a corrupted version (lying words) of the Hawaiian language. Please note Hawaii is no longer a part of the US, in spite what the media portrays in such as the tv series Hawaii five o. The treaties and contracts that held Hawaii in the grip of the US occupier were shown as FRAUD by the DAVID-WYNN: MILLER (RIP). For the DAVID was the King of Hawaii when he was alive. (Bird man)

[@jacobsampsonis7782]

Are you trying to tell me Mala maliki Maka is not the right way to say merry Christmas?

[@salyluz6535]

@@jacobsampsonis7782: Dude that’s not even the right way to spell that song.

[@shae-lynnshepherd83]

Being native Canadian and seeing a successful KZbinr bring light to many cultures that are dying and one being so close to me, I am Cree and have never learned the language but would love too !! Thank you for all the that you do! This makes me so emotional but so happy! Till this day we still get discriminated and judged daily so having you bring this to the platform you have is amazing. You are loved by many cultures and it’s amazing to watch. 😢❤

[@Farls]

Tanisi from Saskatchewan!

[@livableincome]

Big hug to you. May you start learning Cree this year and eventually become fluent. I am learning a new language. I devote at least half an hour to it every morning and am making some headway. Now I can make sentences and enjoy showing off to my nearest and dearest. Always trying to learn more. You can too!

[@LeeSmokeyday]

Tansi! Hiy hiy!

[@paxonearth]

It's not too late to learn Cree!

[@jeremyshuba8402]

Cowessess represent!

[@psucarrierae]

PLEASE release more footage of this trip. Or go back and get more, maybe when you get a really good handle on the language. I would LOVE to see more of the elders and hear their stories, especially in their language. Thank you for the amazing videos!

[@JazanneBunting]

As an Anishinaabe person who's been watching your videos for over a year, seeing this video makes me so excited and so proud of you!! Miigwetch for learning our language. baamaapii :)

[@CM-ey7nq]

As a Norwegian I can tell you this guy is legit. Sure, he spoke Norwegian with a very thick American accent and struggled to find some words, but it was very impressive nonetheless how quickly he did it. Even my Swedish friends understood him, and even we have problems communicating between ourselves at times :) Norwegian and English are pretty similar, relatively speaking. But the way he learns and respects other cultures is just something we can all learn from. He is just on another level linguistically. I took Vietnamese for six months at uni and only learned the basics.

[@liliboe]

I was shocked to see this video, such a rare language that I actually understand. It was entertaining hearing his mispronunciations because I of course have never known any other languages he speaks 😂 he is very much so legit though, and he’s so darn cool haha. off that topic, I’ve been trying to learn Swedish, so it’s cool you’re from somewhere so close with such a similar language haha. have a good day :))

[@jimmyboe25]

I was lucky to have my father, uncles , and grandma that spoke “Gamla Norsk” which was an older dialect. When I hear Norwegian I can understand most of I when it has context I was also able to comprehend some of the newspapers. My Grandmother immigrated from Norway with her husband and children in the 50’s after the end of WW2. My grandfather was born in Seattle Washington in the early 1900’s. So I guess my Grandfather was a dual citizen so immigration was not a problem. 2nd generation Norwegian immigrant 🇳🇴

[@jimmyboe25]

@@liliboehaha don’t tell me your last name is Boe 😂😂😂

[@liliboe]

@@jimmyboe25 that’s so interesting! it’s awesome to have had the opportunity to experience some of the old Norwegian dialect as well, so cool! and no, my last name is not boe 😂 it is my middle name though. I got it from my great grandmother, who’s maiden name was Boe. who knows, maybe we have some sort of far back family ties, haha!

[@emmettdonkeydoodle6230]

I think because Uni doesn’t really give a good learning environment for languages. Speaking with others does.

[@taylor9683]

OH MY GOD 😭 I’m so emotional from seeing this. I clicked on the video curious as to what language you were gonna talk about and when you said “Ojibwe” I felt like I got whiplash. I’ve never seen anyone talk about my tribe and I’ve never seen it on media without me searching it up. It means so much that someone with a big platform talked about my tribe. I always had a hunch you were gonna learn an indigenous language someday but I had no idea you would choose my tribe out of all the large amount of native tribes there are in the world. 😭 I’ve always been afraid of my culture and language dying out. I was never taught Ojibwe properly growing up despite growing up in an Ojibwe area & school. I grew up constantly seeing racism and hate to natives that it started to grow on me and I began to hate my own culture and identity and tried to avoid it and fit into white society. But I soon began to love my culture again. I’m already trying to learn a second language, but once I’m fluent I plan to start learning Ojibwe. I don’t believe I’ll become fluent but I hope to know as much as I can and as much as I’m willing to learn. I try to make friends and people who I speak to try to say basic Ojibwe words when they talk to me such as “boozhou” “Aanii” “miigwetch” and “baamaapii” as an attempt to spread my culture around. Even if it doesn’t make a big impact, it lets people know we still exist and these small phrases they can remember can help them spread it to other people. It makes me so happy that you used your platform to shed light onto my tribe’s language. Hell, you know more Ojibwe than I do! 😂 I remember commenting on a video a long time ago and I believed I mentioned that you should try learning Ojibwe and I didn’t think you’d actually do it! Again, thank you so much for taking the time to learn my people’s language. It means so much ❤ miigwetch.

[@ana-zu8ox]

I live in a small town in rural Ontario and my younger brother learns Ojibwe in school. It's an incredible language and it makes me so happy to see people actively encouraging and appreciating its use.

[@bluenetmarketing]

These people are very intelligent and impressive in their awareness and capabilities in this modern world. Their language may be rare, but they are incredible people. A light shines from each of them.

[@Hackbridge1963]

The sad part is that Ari is one man! He can't do all of the languages that are fading away, and sad to say he couldn't sustain then all by himself. BUT, Good bless him for raising awareness! Greetings from the United Kingdom 🙏🏽🇬🇧

[@eloerch7]

1 man with MILLIONS of followers, this gives hope.

[@kashouttavio3169]

It's beautiful how the people in that room fought against the odds and are still there singing their native song with their hearts. They are still speaking the language people try to take away from them, and on top of that they are trying to teach others. Some of us would've given, and maybe forgetten our roots.

[@KRoyski]

Fought against the odds? You act like all of it was bad... They learned how to read and write and actually be able to function in a society that was ever changing. They werent left behind for these reasons.

[@eddiegoss4874]

@@KRoyski what happened was genocide. So many treaties were broken and generations of indigenous people were left without their culture after the trauma of the schools

[@kashouttavio3169]

@@KRoyski They learned to read and write but at what cost? Getting beaten because they spoke their native language and some even got killed because they didn't want to change. Is that a fair price? Is losing your whole life over something that dumb fair to you? Is reading and writing truly a fair trade? Most of the things that make you feel full of life doesn't even require you to read or write. So I honestly don't know wtf you are saying.

[@KRoyski]

@@kashouttavio3169 Bruh you do realize that not everyone was treated like this? There have been many stories where native people have come out and said its a good thing that they brought us to school.

[@terrancewood9322]

@@KRoyski Cope

[@hunterjames7433]

seeing you converse with the locals even with mistakes in the language and the occasional stumble gives me a lot of confidence because i always feel like i have to be ‘perfect’ in the language before i can start trying to speak to native speakers. they are so accepting and just warmly try to correct you when you ask and are patient when you’re struggling. it really inspires me to just take that leap and meet new people and overcome those barriers

[@svntn]

thank you so much for shedding light on the issues that we face as natives. i really wish i could speak my ancestors language, but all i know are simple words like “i love you” and “can you help me”. i know it’s too late for my language to come back, but watching them do everything they can to keep their language alive gives me hope.

[@georgesonm1774]

It's never too late to learn a language! Perhaps even a couple dozen phrases more - people learn completely new languages in all kinds of ages - there are good methods which make that process much easier than it seems. The guy from the video is young - but he managed to learn a little bit of this very difficult language - only within one month! When it comes to human brain and learning, who knows what really is possible

[@HandcuffJocky]

Thank you so much for this! It is so important. My wife is on Tribal Council with her tribe in Washington State, and they are desperately trying to save their language. There are only a hand full of people (if that) who can speak it, and only one or two people who can speak it fluently. It is so sad that native culture was nearly wiped off the face of the earth. It was so close for many tribes. We need more of this. Keep it up man.

[@JeanHenry77]

I'm from Washington state also. Olympia area.

[@Sagitarria]

i took xʷləšúcid in college. Wonderful languages in Washington

[@gcc4426]

i think you guys should document them and save the materials on digital to preserve the language

[@Rai97]

Not only do you learn other languages, but you learn their culture and show real appreciation and respect towards it. Hats off Xiaoma keep up the great work and have a happy holidays to everyone who sees this!!

[@JungleScene]

to properly learn a language you almost need to learn the culture by necessity in order for it to make sense and to understand how words are used in context. you can learn very very fundamental things about a language without knowing anything about the culture but you can never really break out of the beginner phase without learning about culture.

[@Rai97]

@@JungleScene Right but Xiaoma stays in the beginner phase in many of these new languages he learns for content which is my point about how he also educates himself so well on everything because in essence, he doesn't need to at that level

[@dwillbecancelledsoon4086]

Tbf he doesn't learn any of these languages. He just memorises enough phrases to make a yt video 💵💰

[@ryandowner2998]

One of my favorite things about this is that you also video yourself struggling and how others react to this. It’s a realistic expectation for those who are inspired by you (myself included). Like others have said, love how you do so much more than just “shock native speakers”. Keep doing what you’re doing ❤

[@zelrius8714]

Honestly, I am always so impressed by you. Not only do you learn the languages, but you take time to research and actually go to immerse yourself into the culture. Literally the best youtuber in this field of languages. If I could, I would love to get tips and one on one session with you about learning a language, what a great guy fr

[@KaolaSea]

I am a french teacher in Wallaceburg. All the schools in this area of Ontario offer the option of French or Ojibwe class 4 times a week however they struggle to hire actual Ojibwe speaking teachers. It’s a big struggle but I’m proud they are actively working towards trying to support the resurrection of Ojibwe in the communities.

[@ezio_Winchester]

Residential schools take alot of the blame for the language dying.. my grandparents were born on walpole and only spoke Ojibwa til they were kidnapped and taken to Sault ste Marie.. I'm learning my language myself. I'm 35 and if my generation does not learn it and pass it on it will slowly die off

[@BigpapamoneymanMVPtypebeat]

The end is very emotional and I’d lie if I said I didn’t shed a tear. as a Canadian this is a subject I think about often. The government meant to wipe out the language and way of living of these people and here we are seeing it happen

[@Jim-Stick]

My family is Kwakiutal on west coast Canada. There is very few people that still speak the language. It's great to see revitalization of languages. Thank you for doing what you do! Edit: The stories about residential schools was very similar to what my elders dealt with. They went through terrible things. Just recently there has been a large number of bodies found near these schools.

[@222radar]

Thank you for doing this. The Grandmother is smiling. You are an inspiration -- thank you.

[@annetteevanssmith]

As a Native Alaskan, I am always so touched when you highlight the plight of indigenous languages and our fight to keep them alive. I think you should travel to Alaska, where some dialects have roughly 5 speakers left while others have fallen asleep completely. I never like to say dead, as we can always wake something up, but we can’t bring something back from the dead, mentally. I am proud of you and how you bring such a focus to this plight through your work with such respect and joy.

[@flynn4838]

Parents of native children need to make sure their kids go learn the language and customs from elders.... If there are people who speak native languages, then it is on the parents of the kids to make sure they learn it... If they don't, they are responsible for allowing the language to die... Can't blame anyone else for not knowing native languages when there are people to teach it. Native parents are responsible for having their children learn native languages.... No-one else can teach them.

[@130ugh]

alaska would be amazing! so many different dialects from village to village then there’s also the costal / interior and all! would be so fun to even just see one. i know koyukon athabaskan has a dictionary somewhere!

[@nebula0024]

It's so sad that these once thriving cultures and communities have been so assimilated into ours that their language and way of life has been diluted to the point of disappearing entirely. I firmly believe we'd all be better off if our cultures had been allowed to coexist from the start. It's such a shame so much has been lost, I can hardly even find the right words to express my disappointment.

[@Jay_in_Japan]

And what's more depressing is, there are still groups out there that effect language extinction and cultural assimilation, to this very day. The Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) comes to mind. They're a Christian missionary organization that endeavors to translate the Bible into _every_ language, in order to spread Christianity (and Western values) to all peoples. They particularly target indigenous populations with their proselytizing. To say that they're controversial in the linguistics world is to put it mildly.

[@TheAnonimanx]

especially disappointed by the clueless, well meaning idiots. The Land of Lakes girl was an Ojibwe woman painted by a native artist in traditional regalia. She is standing in front of a well know landmark on the reservation. Outrage mobs demanded she be removed. They took her off but left the landmark. Once again the white man removed the native from her lands..

[@cheesecakeisgross4645]

This is what diversity and multiculturalism lead to.

[@Lingboysc2]

@@cheesecakeisgross4645 the exact opposite actually. Suppressing cultures and trying to remain homogenous led to this.

[@elith6930]

@@cheesecakeisgross4645 multiculturalism led to the death of multiple cultures, sounds about right.

[@wasylbakowsky5199]

Wow, the fact that you went to Walpole Island absolutely blows me away. In addition to the people, the island has some of the best remaining globally rare tallgrass prairie and oak savannah in the world, stewarded by the indigenous people on the island. Trying to come up with something cooler then this, but I'm drawing a blank!

[@christopherrobin1]

This young man does so much for America, promotes love, understanding and goodwill all over the world. We need many more like him. Help make it happen, America.

[@Alue14]

When they sang that song, I got goosebumps... Imagine, that you are forced to learn a completely alien language, under threat of beatings and kickings, so, you desperately, DESPERATELY hang onto your OWN language... By any means necessary... I can't imagine the horror they must've gone through within those schools...

[@kellylachapelle8214]

Boozhoo! Aaniin ezhi ayaayan? I love what you do! I’m Ojibwe from the White Earth reservation in Minnesota. I speak very little Ojibwe but I love hearing it spoken in ceremonies. It’s awesome that you learn so many languages and you’re so respectful to the different cultures when you visit them. It’s an honor that you were invited to participate in a ceremony. Miigwech!

[@kaydublin5164]

This guy is fantastic, I love how he cares about everybody and their cultures and languages.

[@rosebronikowski2022]

Love watching his videos. He has a phenominal memory . He gives hope to the people who wish they could learn a language and also to the indigenous people trying to keep their languages alive.

[@OverwriteX]

As someone who’s family members grew up with residential schools, and eventually stopped teaching their language out of fear of what would happen to their children, it means a lot that you’re learning what a lot of people should have learned but couldn’t because of the harm done by residential schools. Thank you for shining some light onto such a beautiful and sacred language for others to learn about. Miigwech ❤️

[@brasschuckles3138]

My life was saved by an Ojibwe elder. If it wasn’t for him I would have never made it through school or life possibly. He took me into the All Nations program and taught me Drum andDance, Native American Studies, Beading and the Ojibway language. He cared when nobody else bothered, for that I am forever grateful. When I graduated I wanted to honor his life and dedication to his people by teaching the language and the culture. It is a dying language and we need to pass on the language and traditions to the younger generation so it is not lost. I want to go back to school so I can learn the language better and teach. Rest Easy Don Pewaush SR❤

[@fernemcallister6774]

What a gift to have the capacity to learn so many languages. You are blessed!

[@Christopher_S]

It's so sad to see a culture being eroded over time by forced integration. Thank you for raising awareness on this subject, I think it's a noble issue to raise awareness for.

[@terrancewood9322]

it wasn't "forced integration", it was cultural genocide.

[@Christopher_S]

@@terrancewood9322 From effect and through the end result, you're right. It's such a sad thing to see. Cultures are what can make humanity so unique, so special, so amazing. Loosing a language, loosing a culture etc, is to loose a part of what makes us, well, us.

[@Edwxrd69]

Native Americans had access to Mato Tipila (devils tower, structure of the throat chakra INFINITE POWER) and still failed, fuck em

[@frankiet7911]

It's sad, but I think is something that always happened throughout history. It's happening in Europe right now.

[@shodan6491]

@@Christopher_SThere’s q lot of dead languages it will continue to change and evolve. Like Latin for example who speaks it these days ? No one maybe it’s a requirement for priests in rome

[@TrillMatic187]

The fact that you say you take pleasure in learning about our language and culture. I respect you so much, because you genuinely love learning about different cultures around the world. It’s not just for KZbin.

[@raylewis2121]

This man is talented to the extreme. Both sides of my family are from Scotland. I have struggled to learn Spanish for several decades. I understand much more fluently than I speak (at age 69). Widowed and retired, I plan on moving to a Central American country. I do not have this man’s talent for learning languages, but I admire his talent, and I follow him.

[@LilyGazou]

When you are living there, you will do well since you are preparing.

[@Tsitak420]

I love this!!! My culture is Mohawk from New York and while we are fortunate enough to have many native speakers, it’s is slowly dying with our elders. This makes me feel even more encouraged to learn my language!!

[@HandsomePutin]

Become the elder. This is your sign from the universe that you manifested, you know what needs to be done for your people. Learn the language. Dedicate the time. Become the elder. Teach the young. Better get started now.

[@narjiicday-burns6944]

I'm from Australia Yorta Yorta woka, I'm just learning my language now, there are over 250 different languages here in Australia that are Aboriginal alone🖤💛❤️

[@Zane-It]

Do you guys do online classes?

[@dylandemery1579]

Thanks for representing our people! Bless🙌🏽

[@lindachasingbear3510]

Thank you for sharing ❤as a Native American, I appreciate how very respectful you were to the Elders💕

[@KartiacKID]

I love how this KZbinr is trying to help bring attention to this language to help try and preserve it by bringing positive attention to the cultural importance

[@gaaraman312]

"Extremely delicious liquid!" Haha I love it. Great job Ari. Ojibwe is hard! I worked with Rosetta Stone on their Ojibwe program for 6 months and I remember being shocked at the complex morphology of the language. How would you say it compares to Navajo? I have so much respect for people who learn native languages. It was so sad to hear the elder describing the violence she experienced in the residential schools. :(

[@sassbrat]

It is. I pray that all the children that were taken way to soon be found. The survivors hold part of the keys so to speak of finding more of those kids

[@ericbrett3095]

I think they called coffee "resurrection liquid".

[@bladee47]

ojibwe and navajo don't really have much in common. navajo has a much more complicated phonology, whereas every sound in ojibwe can be pronounced with relative accuracy if you speak english. navajo always has a lot more emphasis on mood and aspect and conjugation in verbs. ojibwe has some things like this, but its verbs only really inflect for person, animacy and tense. everything else is like a prefix or suffix (source: i speak an ojibwe-related language)

[@1Vesta1]

Resurrection liquid is my favorite...

[@ywgmb35]

Navajo is wayyyy more harder than Ojibway, by far. It has grammar features that are next to impossible to learn as an adult, and it has TONES just like Chinese and if you say one tone the wrong way, it changes the whole meaning of the word. The difficulty of this language is the reason why the US chose it was their secret code language against the Japanese in WWII.

[@liliboe]

so upset I didn’t happen to run into you, I was amazed to see in this video that you came here of all places in the world haha, it was also really cool to be able to understand what you were saying and see people that I know. so glad you took the time to indulge in the culture and learn so much about it, nonetheless bring attention to everything as a big KZbinr. thank you xiaoma :))

[@CounselorMrCheng]

This is so beautiful. Thanks for taking the time to honor these people and help share their stories.

[@fairboy13]

As a Canadian, and a student who is currently enrolled in a Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit voices class, this is a really good video to be seeing. Its really important to see videos just like these, that bring awareness about these communities out there. Really proud of this video :) Also every donation that is supporting is such a great help to the Indigenous communities as they don't get enough help, not even from our own Canadian government.

[@connorhall5037]

I saw this video and sent it to my Ojibwe friend immediately. I know it's not spoken a lot anymore, but I guess I didn't realize just how small the community is that actually speaks it. He was really happy to relate to the morning ceremony especially, saying that's how he did it at home too

[@HeppyValentine]

I am admittedly terrible at learning languages, but I worked on a reserve in northern British Columbia and learned some of the Carrier language. I’m so grateful for that experience. Indigenous languages in Canada are so close to being lost forever. Thank you for recognizing this and making it seen

[@carolyaster5466]

I liked how you kept trying through your mistakes. Such a beautiful language. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[@lindaalaureano]

What you did to learn this disappearing language is the most remarkable way of using your innate skill. I'm sure the tribe was very happy. Thank you .

[@itsUncleMonK]

My people speak this language, I was beginning to learn it aswell. It makes me so happy to see you show our culture love and respect by learning our language. Miigwetch xiaoma

[@kylees.7287]

I'm from the Oneida tribe in Wisconsin. Our language is pretty hard to learn. I've been trying to learn it as well. I also grew up outside of our reservation. Thank you for taking the time to learn a fellow nation's ways. 🧡

[@Carthybp]

As a Canadian, I'm so happy to see you helping our indigenous people reclaim what was taken from them.

[@recklesscompassion2041]

As someone who grew up 45 minutes away from Walpole Island, I am so touched and impressed thst you would learn Ojibwe, bring awareness and so beautifully respect and absorb the culture. Donated and gratefully sharing this video. ❤

[@Thejakehatfield]

This made me so happy to see, thank you so much for immersing yourself into our culture, you can see the love they have for you, miigwech💜🤞🏽

[@hunterjames7433]

i love seeing more than just the language but the culture and how you fully integrate in the community and are so respectful. the music was beautiful. honestly your videos are so heartwarming i could watch them for hours and you’ve definitely pushed me to get back to language learning

[@Blue_Stargazer]

Boozooh! As Anishinaabi, Ojibwe, that you did this? That was amazing. Someone with such a huge platform learning any native language and bringing visibility to indigenous people is amazing. Miigwech!

[@brentreed4757]

Loved it,proud of indigenous culture.As a canadian I dont know how my ancestors behaved so criminally

[@GrupoChucumite]

My respect for you has grown even more. I'm sure you have inspired many people to learn other languages, which is so important because language unites the world. Bless you Ari.

[@mimibuckles9989]

Thanks for sharing this special culture and letting us listen the Ojibwe language. It hurts my heart so much how these children were treated in the forced assimilation Bo arding schools. I pray for restoration of this culture and all these unique important native cultures as they sang “gifts from the Creator”. I donated via go fund me so hopefully the money gets there even more directly. Blessings to all! 🌿🙏

[@nancyf7919]

My former co worker would speak ojibwe with her husband when she thought no one else was around. It was mind blowingly cool to listen to. I don't know whether it was a rare dialect, but it has the coolest Canadian lilt to it. Truly a priviledge to listen to.

[@TrentMac]

As a first Nations person I found this inspiring

[@anjunaporkroll5222]

How freaking cool! As a child I learned a handful of languages (e.g. english, spanish, french, a bit of Italian), but this is next level compared to a typical romance language. It was interesting to see you struggle with Ojibwe because you always demonstrate such mastery in other languages. Thank you for being so respectful of this native american community, as we can learn so much from our history (the good & the bad).

[@CJ-ur3fx]

Absolutely the best video of yours for ages! Getting involved with their culture was so interesting to me.

[@faithcooks42]

Canadian Indigenous woman here, I love your channel and always thought how cool it would be if you did something like this!! I can't believe it, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

[@DaimyoD0]

This is my favorite Xiaoma video so far. Genuinely touching. I would be thrilled to see this become a series, learning indigenous languages, visiting their communities, teaching us about their struggles, and giving us an opportunity to help in the form of a fundraiser. There are so many native peoples, in the Americas alone, with a rich and fascinating culture that deserves to be known.

[@sallysmith7675]

I agree with this. Now while the elders are still with us, it would be good for someone to create an online program that people could use to learn the culture and language and life skills that would surely be good to know even now.

[@donm1612]

4:44 "Resurrection liguid" for coffee. That is the best name for coffee...and a cafe.

[@BabyBoomer71]

I am a coffee ☕️ lover❤too!

[@cornelia9778]

What a treasure you are! It’s such a gift to offer the preservation of the language in a younger generation. Now you have to convince the others of your generation to learn it. Well done.

[@Fediel]

I hope the indignities and atrocities these people had to suffer in the past will never be in vain. Bless them and their culture.

[@neemanon]

Meanwhile he's completely silent on what is going on in China at this very moment.

[@SoulFire9001]

@@neemanon Every time someone brings up China when talking about the continued atrocities of the western world, it's always to deflect and to try to argue from some moral high ground. No American (and I don't just mean the US) who argues this is actually being serious. Just like your comment. Why else would you bring that up on a video like this?

[@carramrod8232]

Ah yes. The always peaceful indigenous people who were always peaceful before westerners arrived. They were brutal to one another. They just happened to be conquered by people who were more advanced in warfare. Aka the entire history of humanity.

[@SoulFire9001]

@@carramrod8232 white

[@carramrod8232]

@@SoulFire9001 mostly yes. What’s the problem? Spanish aren’t considered white fyi

[@Qub3rs]

People are surprised when they hear Xiaoma speak their language... then are even more surprised when they found out how long it took him to learn and conversate.