{"id":148,"date":"2025-10-22T10:04:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T15:04:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/electa-quinney\/student-resources\/languages-at-uw-system-uwm\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T10:14:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T16:14:37","slug":"languages-at-uw-system-uwm","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/electa-quinney\/student-resources\/languages-at-uw-system-uwm\/","title":{"rendered":"Languages at UW System & 51ÁÔÆæ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Indigenous Languages at UW-Milwaukee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Course Offerings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At 51ÁÔÆæ, students can earn credit for the following languages: Ojibwemowin, Menominee, Ho-Chunk, Oneida, and Potawatomi. These courses are offered synchronously online with students on campus attending in-person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Angela Mesic<\/a> coordinates this program and teach classes on campus. We also work with teachers approved by Wisconsin Nations who are currently teaching at the Indian Community School. These courses focus on language revitalization and understanding the lexicon and grammar needed to become fluent. They do not cover ceremonial aspects of the language which can only be taught by fluent elders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

List of Courses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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AIS 171: First-Semester Indigenous Languages of Wisconsin<\/strong>
Basic introduction to reading, writing, speaking, listening in the language of your choice. This course will teach students the basic history and cultural context for each of the languages and their connected Sovereign nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AIS 172: Second-Semester Indigenous Languages of Wisconsin<\/strong>
Continues introduction to the language and helps students understand how to continue learning through the use of available resources and indigenous language revitalization practices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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AIS 271: Third-Semester Indigenous Languages of Wisconsin<\/strong>
In this course, students focus on archival recordings created by elders and practice speaking to one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AIS 272: Fourth-Semester Indigenous Languages of Wisconsin<\/strong>
In the final semester, this course will focus on how the language is being used today and the new materials being created now. This course has an emphasis on speaking in the language.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Please note:<\/strong> at this time, AIS 171 and AIS 271 are only offered during the Fall semester and AIS 172 and AIS 272 are only offered during the Spring semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enrollment Options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Status<\/th>Options<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
For high school students<\/td>Are you interested in learning one of the Indigenous languages of Wisconsin to 1) simply satisfy your high school graduation credits or 2) satisfy your high school graduation credits AND begin earning college credit? Work with your parents and school counselor in February the year before you want to start taking the language classes to discuss what fits best for you.

This program is state legislated, meaning all public high schools and public colleges\/universities must offer this program. Most high schools enforce the state deadlines of March 1st<\/strong> for Fall Semester courses and Oct 1st<\/strong> for spring semester. The program is open to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors in high school.<\/td><\/tr>
For college students at UW-Milwaukee<\/td>Are you interested in learning on of the Indigenous languages of Wisconsin to satisfy degree requirements at UW-Milwaukee or simply take this opportunity while at 51ÁÔÆæ to connect with the language? 51ÁÔÆæ offers 4 semesters of Indigenous language courses that satisfy CD and World Language Requirements.

AIS 161<\/strong> \u2013 basic introduction to reading, writing, speaking, listening in language of choice. This course will teach students the basic history and cultural context for each of the languages and their connected Sovereign nations.
AIS 162<\/strong> \u2013 continues introduction to the language and helps students understand how to continue learning through the use of available resources and indigenous language revitalization practices.
AIS 261 <\/strong>\u2013 in this course, students focus on archival recordings created by elders and practice speaking to one another.
AIS 262 <\/strong>\u2013 in the final semester, this course will focus on how the language is being used today and the new materials being created now. This course has an emphasis on speaking in the language.<\/td><\/tr>
For college students NOT at UW-Milwaukee<\/td>Do you need to establish a record of academic success in order to qualify for admission to a degree program?
Or, are you enrolled at another institution but want to earn a few credits at 51ÁÔÆæ? Then being a non-degree student could be your path.<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
For the community<\/td>Are you someone who is not enrolled in college, but wants to learn one of the Indigenous languages? Do you want to engage in class but not receive any academic credits on your transcript? Maybe auditing is the right step for you. Contact Angela Mesic<\/a> to indicate which language you want to study and which semester you would like to begin.<\/td><\/tr>
For the community interested in self-paced resources<\/td>Want to learn at your own pace with no formal instruction?

Ojibwemowin:<\/strong> https:\/\/ojibwe.net\/<\/a>

Menominee:<\/strong> https:\/\/menominiyou.org\/<\/a>

Potawatomi:<\/strong> https:\/\/language.fcpotawatomi.com\/<\/a>

Ho-Chunk:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.hoocak.org\/<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
For other institutions of higher education<\/td>Here at EQI, we strongly believe it is important for everyone in the Native community to have the opportunity to learn their heritage language. Ojibwe language instruction is part of our research agenda and we have staff here who can provide this support for your students. Contact Angela Mesic <\/a>for more information.

If there is no capacity for an Ojibwe instructor at your institution, students can also enroll in distance learning here at UW-Milwaukee.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Indigenous Languages on 51ÁÔÆæ Campus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Electa Quinney Institute is involved on the UW-Milwaukee campus in a number of ways. Here are just a few. We are constantly reviewing our role and seeking ways to help UW-Milwaukee become a better, stronger, more inclusive campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

American Indian Advisory Committee to the Provost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The American Indian Advisory Committee (AIAC) reports to the Provost of UW-Milwaukee, on issues related to the campus climate, faculty and staff retention, as well as community and tribal relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elder in Residence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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In 2018, our inaugural resident, Winifred Nahwahquaw, worked with many on our campus. Nyia, while a high school dual enrolled student, created this video to highlight all that was gifted to us during Winifred\u2019s residency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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