I am John LaFountaine, an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and Founder of Kinnarees Digital Media LLC and www.anishinaabemodaa.com. Kinnarees Digital Media, a 100% Native owned and managed company, specializes in empowering First Nation People in the development of multimedia language materials.

John LaFountaine

I served, for four years, as the Project Manager and Curator for the Lear Archives. The Lear Archives housed the many accomplishments and life history of William P. Lear (Lear Jet fame.) While in this capacity I attended training and received certification in Macromedias' Director. I also gained competence in the use of Macromedias' Dreamweaver and Flash, Adobe Photoshop, Premiere and Acrobat. Knowledge of this software was essential in the digital preservation of documents, images, audio and video contained in the collection. With the death of Moya Olsen Lear (widow of Bill Lear) in 2001, the collection transferred to the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. I then started looking for an outlet for the knowledge gained as Curator. The obvious direction was to use these talents to help in preserving and revitalizing First Nation languages.

After three years of research, observation and careful study of the challenges associated with an endeavor of this size, I committed myself to the work. I realize there are inherent problems associated with applying digital media to preserve an oral tradition. I also realize that these problems can be overcome if approached respectfully.

While searching for information on the Anishinaabe language and culture I discovered that the Anishinaabe language (as well as many other First Nation languages) was facing serious problems due to the restrictions placed on the practice of our language/culture by the government.

I found a course offered by Basil Johnston and started learning the Anishinaabe language. The teachings from this course opened a doorway into a small portion of the Anishinabe way of life. I came to understand that the language is the very foundation of our culture and way of life.

This is what has led me to the development of this site. I am fully aware that the use of digital media will never replace the benefits of being taught by an Elder or a fluent speaking relative. It will, however, provide a starting point for those interested in learning the basics.