Gimiwan is from Cass Lake, Minnesota and is a veteran Ojibwe language immersion teacher who taught grades K-1 at Niigaane in Leech Lake and grades 3-5 at Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute in Lac Courte Orielles. Gimiwan has been assisting other Ojibwe language immersion programs with curriculum, material, and staff development for several years. He was a recipient of the 2021 Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship, which has been a major contributor to the development of the Midwest Indigenous Immersion Network and the continuation of assisting Ojibwe language immersion programs. Gimiwan is also a subject matter expert for Rosetta Stone Ojibwe.
Binesiikwe Edye Washington is bear clan from the Leech Lake Nation and has resided in Duluth, MN for most of her life. She has two beautiful grown children and a 77 pound German Shepard.
Binesiikwe was one of the founders of the K-5 Misaabekong Ojibwe Immersion Program within Duluth Public Schools. During her tenure working in education she has implemented policy changes, developed curriculum and assessments, and provided professional development all from an indigenous lens. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking with her dog, and reading.
Binesiikwe was one of the founders of the K-5 Misaabekong Ojibwe Immersion Program within Duluth Public Schools. During her tenure working in education she has implemented policy changes, developed curriculum and assessments, and provided professional development all from an indigenous lens. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking with her dog, and reading.
Ogimaabinesiikwe is sturgeon clan from the Turtle Mountain Reservation. She grew up on the east side of St. Paul, Minnesota until her early teen years when her family moved to Hayward, Wisconsin where she continues to reside today. Ogimaabinesiikwe is a former Ojibwe immersion teacher at Waadookodaading Ojibwe Language Institute. She is best known for her musical talents and was the Music Director at Waadookodaading for several years. She is also known as “Ojibwe Teacher Lisa” on social media and youtube. Ogimaabinesiikwe has almost twenty years of experience in education. She has been the assistant, the teacher, and the teacher trainer. She truly understands the importance of each role and is passionate about supporting all of them. She serves as the executive assistant at MIIN.