Most of the children in an Ojibwe-speaking community in northern Quebec have been removed from the government-run school because parents are worried they are being forced to speak English.

The Algonquins of Barrière Lake speak Ojibwe at home almost exclusively. Parents say their children were being punished for using the language at school.

"She would tell the principal and then we would all go to the principal's office," student Marie Nottaway told CBC News of incidents when Ojibwe was spoken. "She said, 'Don't speak Algonquin when your teacher's here.'"

Most of the children are now attending a school set up by parents and elders. The current chief does not recognize the alternative school.

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Que. Algonquin community opens own school over language fears (CBC 7/17)