We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend Ida Bear: a first-language speaker from Norway House Cree Nation (ininîmowin/n-dialect) who devoted her long and active career to revitalization and protection of Indigenous languages in Manitoba.
In 2019 – the International Year of Indigenous Languages – she was recognized by the University of Winnipeg with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree for her lifelong commitment. Ida was Relentless Indigenous Language Warrior for nearly 60 years. In my last conversations with her, this past spring, she was still actively teaching, and seeking out new ways to make a difference. Here’s how she was described in University’s citation:
Ida Bear is a vivid storyteller who brings language instruction to life. She is a driven, organized instructor, known for building strong relationships with her students — in the classroom and through land-based learning. Whether working directly with students or mentoring language instructors in curriculum design and lesson planning, she shares her passion for language revitalization with patient guidance and easy laughter.
Bear’s career began in 1967, teaching in an Oral English Program in Garden Hill and Island Lakes First Nations. Since then, she has worked on the design of an Ojibway and Cree bilingual program and trained the teaching personnel and administrators who worked with the selected schools in the bilingual project in the federal schools. She has worked for many years as a language instructor at Red River College, University of Manitoba, and The University of Winnipeg,
A talented linguist, Bear is fluent in Cree and English, functionally fluent in Ojibway, and has a primary level of reading and writing in French and Classical Greek. She completed a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education at the University of Manitoba in 1985, where she majored in English and Aboriginal Languages, and studied Cree Linguistics. A lifelong learner, she returned 30 years later to work toward a major in history.
We offer gratitude for the gifts she left behind that will continue to serve for generations, along with sincere condolences to her family, students and colleagues who knew and loved her best.
2 Responses
This is very sad news. Dr. Ida Bear has served her people, her students and the university with conviction and generosity. She made a difference, and leaves a legacy.
With deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
Our first and greatest ininîmowin teacher. May she rest and rise in a better world.