Potawatomi, known to its speakers as Bodwéwadmimwen or Bodewadmimwen, is an Indigenous Algonquian language closely related to Ojibwe and Odawa. Traditionally spoken throughout the Great Lakes region, Potawatomi is the ancestral language of the Potawatomi people, whose descendants are represented by seven federally recognized tribes in the United States as well as First Nations communities in Canada. The language has northern and southern dialects, which differ mainly in pronunciation and vocabulary but remain closely connected.
Today, Potawatomi is considered critically endangered, with fewer than five first-language fluent speakers remaining. Despite this challenge, language revitalization efforts are growing, and many learners are developing strong reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Communities across the Potawatomi Nation are working to bring the language back into homes and daily life through classes, immersion programs, and digital resources. This course focuses on practical everyday language that can be used at home and in the community, helping support the next generation of Potawatomi speakers.