The Ojibwe People’s Dictionary Featured in The Guardian

The Ojibwe People’s Dictionary, a widely used online resource for Ojibwe language learning and revitalization based in the Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, has been featured in The Guardian, bringing international attention to Indigenous language reclamation and resurgence efforts.

In its coverage, The Guardian highlighted the dictionary as an innovative, community-centered digital resource that supports learners, educators, and speakers of Ojibwe. The article also references the work of Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, who has included mentions of the Ojibwe People’s Dictionary in her two most recent books, Noopiming: The Cure for White Ladies (University of Minnesota Press, 2022) and Theory of Water (Haymarket Books, 2025). 

The Ojibwe People’s Dictionary offers audio pronunciations, example sentences, and culturally grounded entries developed in collaboration with speakers and communities. Its presence in both international media and contemporary Indigenous literature underscores the dictionary’s significance as a living resource that bridges scholarship, storytelling, and community language work.

The feature in The Guardian affirms the dictionary’s impact beyond North America and highlights the growing global recognition of Indigenous-led efforts to sustain and strengthen living languages through accessible and respectful digital tools.