Anishinaabe linguist Shirley Williams helped spark a resurgence of her mother tongue

Dr. Shirley Williams, an Anishinaabe linguist and longtime professor at Trent University, died Dec. 19 at age 87 after a career dedicated to teaching and revitalizing Anishinaabemowin. She authored dictionaries and curricula, trained language teachers and supported community language and water protection initiatives.

Dr. Shirley Williams died in Little Current on Manitoulin Island on Dec. 19 at 87. She taught Anishinaabemowin at Trent University for decades and authored dictionaries, lexicons and curricula that supported a wider language resurgence. Born Dec. 4, 1938 in South Bay, Wiikwemkoong, she spent part of her childhood at St. Joseph's Residential School and later documented those years in memoirs. She earned degrees and diplomas from Trent, York, Lakehead and the University of Oklahoma and received an honorary doctor of laws from Ontario Tech in 2017. Key facts: - Williams joined the Trent University faculty in 1986 and became professor emerita after retiring in 2004. - She was the first female scholar at Trent to receive a full professorship based on Indigenous knowledge, according to the article. - She authored language teaching materials and trained other instructors, influencing programs across Canada and internationally. - She co-launched Emosaawdamajig (Those Who Walk For The Water), a Kawartha Lakes Water Walks initiative led by women. - Her memoir Shoolee: The Early Years was published in 2018 and a second part about residential school years is reported as yet to be published. Summary: Her work expanded resources and teacher training for Anishinaabemowin, supporting ongoing community and academic language programs. Undetermined at this time.