A small, remote community on the Red Lake Reservation is holding onto Ojibwe language and culture in an ever-changing world.

Located on the northern tip of the reservation, Ponemah is considered the most traditional. Ceremonies conducted in Ojibwe are the norm in a place where residents were known for rejecting outsiders. The name "Ponemah" comes from a word that indicates resistance.

But some in the 900-member community say younger people aren't interested in their language or culture anymore. "Some of them just come out and say 'What do I have to learn this Chinese for?'" Jerry Kingbird, a language teacher, told The Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Eugene Stillday, 75, says only about 50 fluent speakers live in or near Ponemah. "Without the language, we're wandering out there with an uncertain future where we don't know who we are," he said.

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Red Lake tradition is concentrated at Ponemah (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 10/5)
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Relevant Links:
Red Lake Net News - http://www.rlnn.com
Red Lake Nation - http://www.redlakenation.org