Pimatisiwin: Walking in a good way. A narrative inquiry into language as identity

The research puzzle for this inquiry emerged from my experiences as an Aboriginal student in different settings. I began with a story of my educational experiences, my lived story and the stories I carry and talk back and forth as Anishinabe kwe. I use my own stories as a frame for my research puzzle. Who am I as Anishinabe kwe? Who and what can define me? Does speaking my language, Anishinabemowin define me?; The presentation of my narrative account is used as a background and the foundation of my research. I began telling stories of my residential school experiences and my educational journey. In order to explore my research puzzle, I invited two Anishinabec, young people to share their stories. One participant, Niin did not speak her language and the other, Aanung did speak his language. I spent several months in conversation with them as they told their stories of who they were and who they were becoming.; To thread this dissertation, I placed my lived story beside Niin and Aanung. I tell their stories in two narrative accounts and I tell stories of our walk together and how we composed our lives together. We began our conversations with my wonder about the relationship between language and identity. The stories we shared and the conversations we had with one another enlightened the inquiry space we developed. As we talked as Anishinabec, we began to understand the importance of speaking and learning our Aboriginal languages. I also spent time with Minnie, an Elder in a northern community. Minnie provided hope and inspiration.; The threads I pull are intergenerational narrative reverberations, place, Aboriginal worldview, protocol, relational knowing with our ancestors, betrayal, the impact of Christianity, alienation and isolation, displacement and being alone. This dissertation offers hope for the maintenance and the survival of our Aboriginal languages and the ability to define ourselves and our place in Canada.