This is really quite amazing for me to read this article.....
Here's why....
My folks used to tell me to always speak to my children while still in the womb of their mother....my mother is 92, going on 93, May 29, and she still believes unborn babies can tell what their language is and they can also identify their parents, just by the sound of their voices.
I find this article amazing because these old people and their parents understood these concepts about the unborn and advised them to speak to them, and they passed it down to us.....our elders were amazing people, because they already knew something these modern day scientists are just now discovering....
My little girl of seven years now, started speaking this Potawatomi language at a young age because I followed what I was told to do by my parents; I spoke to her while she was in her mom's womb, a lot.
I believe that is why she learned what she knows today....I am speaking
of why she knows how to pronounce even the difficult words, and has our accent and rhythm of our language down so pat....
Amazing, is all I can say.....that these people have stumbled upon yet another fact our elders already knew....
Enjoy this article folks.....and the fact your forefathers were some pretty incredible people.....
THE ARTCLE........
While still in the womb, babies already start to learn language by hearing the rhythm of the language, says Bardutz.
Photograph by: Thinkstock, canada.com
Children start to learn language even before they’re born, neurolinguist Holly Bardutz is teaching students in her language acquisition class at the University of Regina.
While still in the womb, babies already start to learn language by hearing the rhythm of the language, says Bardutz.
To recreate what it’s like in the womb, and what a baby might hear, Bardutz asked her students to spend class time in the university’s pool, with their ears under water, listening to people above ground speaking in various languages, including Urdu (which is spoken in India), Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, English, French and Korean.
“What we’re looking for is the rhythm of the language,” Bardutz explained.
Not only does the rhythm vary depending on the language, but also depending on whether the language is being spoken, sung or read.
“And reading from a textbook is different than reading a Dr. Seuss (book), which has more rhythm,” she pointed out.
An unborn child’s hearing is fully developed by 36 weeks, Bardutz said. A full-term baby is born at 40 weeks.
“So usually the last three or four weeks while they’re in the uterus, they have fully developed hearing,” she said.
“And the uterus is a watery substance, so that’s why we’re coming to the pool,” Bardutz explained.
“When babies are born — even at four hours old — right at birth, they can already identify their own language,” she said. “They can tell if what they’re hearing is English or Chinese. They don’t know the language, but they can recognize their own language.”
The only languages in which newborn babies can’t hear a difference in rhythms are Dutch and English, Bardutz pointed out. “Because it’s exactly the same rhythm.”
At least, that’s what the class textbook says, she said. Much to Bardutz’s delight, her third-year linguistics class willingly participated in testing that theory.
Seven of the 18 students in the class hooked their legs onto the side of the pool and put their ears under water so they could listen to people above the surface speak in different languages.
Ishrat Naqvi, a retired physics professor, spoke in Urdu, which he described as the official language of Pakistan. Urdu was the first language Naqvi learned.
Iris Mi and Callie Li, both business administration students at the U of R, conversed in Chinese for the linguistics students.
Keith Murch, who finished a linguistics degree last year and is currently studying education, participated both in and out of the pool.
“First of all, you have to be comfortable with being back in the womb,” he said.
Once he got comfortable in the pool, tuned out any distracting mechanical noises and concentrated on the rhythm of the voices, “it was a very interesting experience,” Murch said. “That was fascinating stuff!”
Sonja Van Eijk volunteered to shift back and forth between speaking Dutch and English.
“It’s really quite amazing,” she said, referring to the two languages having the same rhythm.
Intrigued by what the students were hearing underwater, Van Eijk said: “I would really like to experience that myself. I think this evening I’m going to go take a dip in my bathtub.
“My husband is a linguist, so he speaks many languages. And we’re going to do the tests ourselves. I’m curious now. I really want to know if that’s true that you can’t hear the difference (between Dutch and English),” she added.
Many of the students in her class are working toward degrees in linguistics or psychology.
“A lot of them want to be speech pathologists,” Bardutz said. “They’re very interested in how kids learn language.”
People trying to revitalize their native languages shouldn’t wait to start until kids are in kindergarten, Bardutz emphasized.
“They’ve missed the critical time. The kids need to hear the language starting at before birth,” she said. “The earlier the better.”
NIn se Neaseno.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
A Creation Story......
Here is one of several creation stories existing among our people. There were many I heard growing up and the old people used to say, "The truth is hidden within our stories and it is up to the individual to find the truth".
The same seems to be true with some of our European brothers who were told stories of their origins also. The point being, that often great truth was shrouded in mystery and was passed down to future generations, by story tellers, to the children of men at one time.....now it appears we've gotten too modern and civilized to understand the mysteries contained in our own stories.
Ahau, enjoy and share.....
Nin se Neaseno.
A Potawatomi Creation Story….
Im se ngotdek gi yajmowat gi kekyajek egi zhechket o menedo ga zhe tot
ode bmadzewen mine gode bemadzejek egi bgednot ode bemadzet shote
nokmeskignan wa je dneswat.
Once, long ago, during the early times of creation it is said the Spirit of all
Life, the First Worker, came to make life as it now exists upon this Earth.
There was no daylight or light, nor life as we know it today, only darkness
and water everywhere. It was said among the old ones, Nakendemwajek,
(those who knew or wise ones) that there were three other ages before the
one in which we now find ourselves living in. The other ages or
dispensations of time were found to be lacking in love, respect for all life,
and other forms of humility, honor and the like. That is why the Originator
of all Life came to allow them to pass from this life or experience. Water
was allowed to rise up out of the deep wells of the Earth and swallow up
the disobedient children of men that once existed. From these stories we
know that we garner much truth, knowledge, and understanding about the
ages past from these spirits of men who once lived on this Earth. The
Seers/Holy People who have developed relationships with these beings can
access this knowledge as we need it and as we gain insight into this
unknown/untapped source.
The Nakendemwajek (old ones) said this creative source took some of the
celestial dust, the terrestrial dust, and from His own Shkemot (bag) he took
some of his own dust, fused all into the shape of a man with both sexes
within, then blew life into it with his Holy breath of action. It became the
species man and he was lowered to this Earth where he took over the duties
as Caretaker of all living things then existing.
He was called upon to name all living things as the natural things were new
then, without name and purpose. Mamogosnan gave the original
instructions to each living thing including man and woman and their
purpose on this Earth. Gye (Mother Earth) was considered to be the first
woman and the Wgema Negos (Chief Star Nation) was said to be the first
Father. Nibagizes (night sun or Grandmother Moon) and Nigangizes
(Grandfather Sun) were the first elders, thus the first part of creation for
this last dispensation.
The Seven Star Nation Sisters and the Seven Brothers met and conceived
a great nation which came to be known as the Seven Stone Fireplace of the
Neshnabek. Original Man was the Father of all living things as he gave
purpose and names to the rest of creation according to the instructions given
him by the Creative Force (Mamogosnan). Note: Name means; essence of
character, purpose designation. Original Man was the father of Life by
inspiration, not by act. He was to personify the Creative Force as the
original people had no knowledge of that personage or entity then. The
Teachings of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and prudence were all
to come through Original Man/Woman.
Today, we still can see that Original Spark of Spiritual Energy as we gaze
toward the heavens early in the morning and witness the Morning Star as he
heralds Grandfather rising to greet the Earth and all of Life on this great
altar. The Old People have told us the Morning Star is the plume feather
adorning Grandfather Sun’s head as he rises with each new day to comfort
and warm the Earth with his creative/pro-creative energy. This is why one
can still witness some of the Neshnabek greeting the Sun with their prayer
ties and flags along with their food offerings and requests for a good life.
Some of them still remember this old story of creation and all that it entails.
Some of them still remember who they are, what they are, where they came
from, and where they are going again.
Ahau, Iw enajmoyan.
I ye i enajmoyan odo pi egi kendemwat gi Neshanabek mno wi pi.
Iw shna ekendemyek ode yatsokan wa je widmoyek gi penojek nangodgen.
Neaseno desh ne kas.
The same seems to be true with some of our European brothers who were told stories of their origins also. The point being, that often great truth was shrouded in mystery and was passed down to future generations, by story tellers, to the children of men at one time.....now it appears we've gotten too modern and civilized to understand the mysteries contained in our own stories.
Ahau, enjoy and share.....
Nin se Neaseno.
A Potawatomi Creation Story….
Im se ngotdek gi yajmowat gi kekyajek egi zhechket o menedo ga zhe tot
ode bmadzewen mine gode bemadzejek egi bgednot ode bemadzet shote
nokmeskignan wa je dneswat.
Once, long ago, during the early times of creation it is said the Spirit of all
Life, the First Worker, came to make life as it now exists upon this Earth.
There was no daylight or light, nor life as we know it today, only darkness
and water everywhere. It was said among the old ones, Nakendemwajek,
(those who knew or wise ones) that there were three other ages before the
one in which we now find ourselves living in. The other ages or
dispensations of time were found to be lacking in love, respect for all life,
and other forms of humility, honor and the like. That is why the Originator
of all Life came to allow them to pass from this life or experience. Water
was allowed to rise up out of the deep wells of the Earth and swallow up
the disobedient children of men that once existed. From these stories we
know that we garner much truth, knowledge, and understanding about the
ages past from these spirits of men who once lived on this Earth. The
Seers/Holy People who have developed relationships with these beings can
access this knowledge as we need it and as we gain insight into this
unknown/untapped source.
The Nakendemwajek (old ones) said this creative source took some of the
celestial dust, the terrestrial dust, and from His own Shkemot (bag) he took
some of his own dust, fused all into the shape of a man with both sexes
within, then blew life into it with his Holy breath of action. It became the
species man and he was lowered to this Earth where he took over the duties
as Caretaker of all living things then existing.
He was called upon to name all living things as the natural things were new
then, without name and purpose. Mamogosnan gave the original
instructions to each living thing including man and woman and their
purpose on this Earth. Gye (Mother Earth) was considered to be the first
woman and the Wgema Negos (Chief Star Nation) was said to be the first
Father. Nibagizes (night sun or Grandmother Moon) and Nigangizes
(Grandfather Sun) were the first elders, thus the first part of creation for
this last dispensation.
The Seven Star Nation Sisters and the Seven Brothers met and conceived
a great nation which came to be known as the Seven Stone Fireplace of the
Neshnabek. Original Man was the Father of all living things as he gave
purpose and names to the rest of creation according to the instructions given
him by the Creative Force (Mamogosnan). Note: Name means; essence of
character, purpose designation. Original Man was the father of Life by
inspiration, not by act. He was to personify the Creative Force as the
original people had no knowledge of that personage or entity then. The
Teachings of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and prudence were all
to come through Original Man/Woman.
Today, we still can see that Original Spark of Spiritual Energy as we gaze
toward the heavens early in the morning and witness the Morning Star as he
heralds Grandfather rising to greet the Earth and all of Life on this great
altar. The Old People have told us the Morning Star is the plume feather
adorning Grandfather Sun’s head as he rises with each new day to comfort
and warm the Earth with his creative/pro-creative energy. This is why one
can still witness some of the Neshnabek greeting the Sun with their prayer
ties and flags along with their food offerings and requests for a good life.
Some of them still remember this old story of creation and all that it entails.
Some of them still remember who they are, what they are, where they came
from, and where they are going again.
Ahau, Iw enajmoyan.
I ye i enajmoyan odo pi egi kendemwat gi Neshanabek mno wi pi.
Iw shna ekendemyek ode yatsokan wa je widmoyek gi penojek nangodgen.
Neaseno desh ne kas.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Just an old Folk Song......
Folks, here is an old folk song that many singers have sung over the years....
An American folk song often categorized as children's music. It is a derivation of a Negro spiritual known as "When the Chariot Comes".
See if you can guess what the modern day title of this song is.....
It is all in Potawatomi.....
Have fun with this song....
Nin se Neaseno.
Wi-byé-wagi i azhbek’ek wa-je-byat
Wi-byé-wagi i azhbek’ek wa-je-byat,
Wi-byé-wagi i azhbek’ek wa-je-byat,
Wi-byé-wagi i azhbek’ek,
Wi-byé-wagi i azhbek’ek,
Wi-byé-wagi i azhbek’ek wa-je-byat.
Wi-zgabyénan négdoshayen wa-je-byat,
Wi-zgabyénan négdoshayen wa-je-byat,
Wi-zgabyénan négdoshayen,
Wi-zgabyénan négdoshayen,
Wi-zgabyénan négdoshayen wa-je-byat.
Jayék gwi-o-nkwéshkwamen wa-je-byat,
Jayék gwi-o-nkwéshkwamen wa-je-byat,
Jayék gwi-o-nkwéshkwamen,
Jayék gwi-o-nkwéshkwamen,
Jayék gwi-o-nkwéshkwamen wa-je-byat.
Gwi-nsamen o mskwe-nabésé wa-je-byat,
Gwi-nsamen o mskwe-nabésé wa-je-byat,
Gwi-nsamen o mskwe-nabésé,
Gwi-nsamen o mskwe-nabésé,
Gwi-nsamen o mskwe-nabésé wa-je-byat.
Jayék gwi-yemen wézhashkemdék wa-je-byat,
Jayék gwi-yemen wézhashkemdék wa-je-byat,
Jayék gwi-yemen wézhashkemdék,
Jayék gwi-yemen wézhashkemdék,
Jayék gwi-yemen wézhashkemdék wa-je-byat.
An American folk song often categorized as children's music. It is a derivation of a Negro spiritual known as "When the Chariot Comes".
See if you can guess what the modern day title of this song is.....
It is all in Potawatomi.....
Have fun with this song....
Nin se Neaseno.
Wi-byé-wagi i azhbek’ek wa-je-byat
Wi-byé-wagi i azhbek’ek wa-je-byat,
Wi-byé-wagi i azhbek’ek wa-je-byat,
Wi-byé-wagi i azhbek’ek,
Wi-byé-wagi i azhbek’ek,
Wi-byé-wagi i azhbek’ek wa-je-byat.
Wi-zgabyénan négdoshayen wa-je-byat,
Wi-zgabyénan négdoshayen wa-je-byat,
Wi-zgabyénan négdoshayen,
Wi-zgabyénan négdoshayen,
Wi-zgabyénan négdoshayen wa-je-byat.
Jayék gwi-o-nkwéshkwamen wa-je-byat,
Jayék gwi-o-nkwéshkwamen wa-je-byat,
Jayék gwi-o-nkwéshkwamen,
Jayék gwi-o-nkwéshkwamen,
Jayék gwi-o-nkwéshkwamen wa-je-byat.
Gwi-nsamen o mskwe-nabésé wa-je-byat,
Gwi-nsamen o mskwe-nabésé wa-je-byat,
Gwi-nsamen o mskwe-nabésé,
Gwi-nsamen o mskwe-nabésé,
Gwi-nsamen o mskwe-nabésé wa-je-byat.
Jayék gwi-yemen wézhashkemdék wa-je-byat,
Jayék gwi-yemen wézhashkemdék wa-je-byat,
Jayék gwi-yemen wézhashkemdék,
Jayék gwi-yemen wézhashkemdék,
Jayék gwi-yemen wézhashkemdék wa-je-byat.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
On Respect........
Good day folks....
Some information on an old familiar word among our people.....
The gift of respect and its responsibilities among our people, the Neshnabeg.
It wasn't something we merely spoke of, it was a lifestyle and something we put on, like an article of clothing......
Nin se Neaseno.
Respect
respect [rɪˈspɛkt]
n
1. an attitude of deference, admiration, or esteem; regard
2. the state of being honoured or esteemed
3. a detail, point, or characteristic; particular he differs in some respects from his son
4. reference or relation (esp in the phrases in respect of, with respect to)
5. polite or kind regard; consideration respect for people's feelings
6. (often plural) an expression of esteem or regard (esp in the phrase pay one's respects)
vb (tr)
1. to have an attitude of esteem towards; show or have respect for, to respect one's elders
2. to pay proper attention to; not violate, to respect Swiss neutrality
3. to show consideration for; treat courteously or kindly
4. Archaic to concern or refer to
[from Latin rēspicere to look back, pay attention to, from RE- + specere to look]
Mnadenmowen respect
Mnadendek to respect s.o.
Mdodadenwa speak with respect
Nchiwenmowen I hold in high regard
Nchiwendan hold in high regard (inan.)
Nchiwenma hold in high regard (anim.)
Wdetanmowen to have respect
Mnadendemwenen to have respect for s.o. or s.t.
Kejitwawenindowen to have great respect for s.o. or s.t.
Some questions to be considered.
Will a student of the Neshnabek persuasion ever surpass his/her teacher?
Should they ever cease respecting their teachers?
When will they stop following their teachers?
Will they know or will they be told?
Who will tell them?
Mnadendowen to have mutual respect for each other
The order of roles and their various duties.
Oshkabéwés
Little servitor….
Like a little janitor….
Spitoons, emptying of….
Cleaning of arbor area….
Oshkabéwes
Servitor
Fire assistant
Ceremonialist
Drummer/Singer
Altar assistant
Translator/Interpreter
*Physical
**Spiritual
*In this role, one was expected to serve the people by helping the elders and the spiritual leaders among them. In this way, the songs and the ceremonies were learned and often, a young person could become the apprentice of a recognized spiritual leader.
**In this role, one became a translator/interpreter of all the spiritual stuff he/she saw and was taught. Only your Teacher could advise you when you were ready for this responsibility though. Once you gained the trust of your Teachers, they commissioned you to go out and seek fresh vision for oneself. This is what draws the spiritual person close to the ways of the people, and causes him/her to serve so closely and faithfully.
Some information on an old familiar word among our people.....
The gift of respect and its responsibilities among our people, the Neshnabeg.
It wasn't something we merely spoke of, it was a lifestyle and something we put on, like an article of clothing......
Nin se Neaseno.
Respect
respect [rɪˈspɛkt]
n
1. an attitude of deference, admiration, or esteem; regard
2. the state of being honoured or esteemed
3. a detail, point, or characteristic; particular he differs in some respects from his son
4. reference or relation (esp in the phrases in respect of, with respect to)
5. polite or kind regard; consideration respect for people's feelings
6. (often plural) an expression of esteem or regard (esp in the phrase pay one's respects)
vb (tr)
1. to have an attitude of esteem towards; show or have respect for, to respect one's elders
2. to pay proper attention to; not violate, to respect Swiss neutrality
3. to show consideration for; treat courteously or kindly
4. Archaic to concern or refer to
[from Latin rēspicere to look back, pay attention to, from RE- + specere to look]
Mnadenmowen respect
Mnadendek to respect s.o.
Mdodadenwa speak with respect
Nchiwenmowen I hold in high regard
Nchiwendan hold in high regard (inan.)
Nchiwenma hold in high regard (anim.)
Wdetanmowen to have respect
Mnadendemwenen to have respect for s.o. or s.t.
Kejitwawenindowen to have great respect for s.o. or s.t.
Some questions to be considered.
Will a student of the Neshnabek persuasion ever surpass his/her teacher?
Should they ever cease respecting their teachers?
When will they stop following their teachers?
Will they know or will they be told?
Who will tell them?
Mnadendowen to have mutual respect for each other
The order of roles and their various duties.
Oshkabéwés
Little servitor….
Like a little janitor….
Spitoons, emptying of….
Cleaning of arbor area….
Oshkabéwes
Servitor
Fire assistant
Ceremonialist
Drummer/Singer
Altar assistant
Translator/Interpreter
*Physical
**Spiritual
*In this role, one was expected to serve the people by helping the elders and the spiritual leaders among them. In this way, the songs and the ceremonies were learned and often, a young person could become the apprentice of a recognized spiritual leader.
**In this role, one became a translator/interpreter of all the spiritual stuff he/she saw and was taught. Only your Teacher could advise you when you were ready for this responsibility though. Once you gained the trust of your Teachers, they commissioned you to go out and seek fresh vision for oneself. This is what draws the spiritual person close to the ways of the people, and causes him/her to serve so closely and faithfully.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
An old Prayer......
Thought you might enjoy reading a prayer stated by one of our old Potawatomi gentlemen, recorded by Ruth Landes, and early anthropologist who visited our people in Kansas in the 1930's. Tom Topash was from Michigan originally but made his home with the Prairie Potawatomi of Kansas then. He still has relatives living in the Southwestern Michigan area.
Read and enjoy then....
Nin se Neaseno.
TOPASH PRAYER.
THUNDER:
O Jigwé Nagan’ien (énaganiyen)
Oh Thunder Leader
Mamwé mishkwezyen shote
Supreme Power here
Égi bgednegoyen éwi je
You were placed and to
Kewabmiyak I je mine
Protect us (also) and
Éwi nizhokmodwan gij
To help your other
Mishkwezimak éwi
Lesser plants under you and good
Mnogmoak éwi nizhokmodwan *(always praise the
Rains and help (bless us with) rains)
Éwi mno bmadziyak jak gégo
Good lives (that we may live good lives)
Mine éwi gsiabaudi’ek (gsiabadwiyek)
All crops, growths and every variety
Nebeshknegen jayék
All rotten things (and washes clean atop the ME
All rotten things)
Anaké tatbégwen mine mishkoyen
Along with leaves and weeds
Nebeshknegen éwi binabaud’iek (binabadwiyek)
Rotten and made clean by the rain
Édnesyak iw je pi
Where we live and when
Zhawno’enmek émnoskyag inoden
The South Winds with their nice damp air and the Great
Good Wind
Égche mnobmadji shka gwi yak
Enable us to live and able
Ije gedzhi’esk miyak jak
To continue all
Mno mikjéwiwen éwi
Variety of good work and
Jak gishkwiyak we’an meze
Variety of completed work pursuing
Mno mikjéwiyak éwi zhigojkemegon
Good work and to avoid
Mine jak nenyézanyek
Any and all danger.
NORTH SPIRIT:
Ahau Pondesé wéwéne
Greeting Coldness (One) earnestly
Genadotmonenan éwi
We ask you and
Kewabmiyak wéwénije
Protect us earnestly we ask
Genadotmonenan éwi
You to protect us and
Kewabmiyak éwi bwa zigdezhiyak
Watch over us and not to freeze us
Bénagdze éwi zak senyak
Be very mild then Cold Ones
Ije gche gdotmonenan
And we request
Débtso éwi bgeshagon
A sufficiency then of falling snow
Éwi ngwagneg se kig
So as to blanket the Earth
Éwi déb mno Otakiwak
And so sufficient a nice dampening of the Earth
Gé she je kejkadoiyag éwi
In order to help us then
Gizhgatoyag wabgonen
Raise pumpkins
Ndamneg mine penik
Corn and potatoes
Mine kojések mine
And beans and
Jak ézgak washkgbek
All variety of growing things
Mine jak ézgak bébiz wayak
And also small fruits.
THE EAST:
Kegnaswé ékche yéwak
Coming Daylight Greatest
Gebébamzawen gin
Power you
Éwedzema dzegék jak gégo
Start varieties of everything
Bamgak mshkekegé jak
Growing medicine all
Éshkek wa nadwashkag wiyak
Kinds that grow for doctoring ourselves
Ébgosén demak wéwéne éwi
We wish sincerely then
Gizgak iw je wéwéne gé je
They grow then nicely so we can
Skeksedoiyak éwi
Gather them and
Nado’owé wiyak iw pi éyaknogéyak
Cure ourselves when we fall ill
Iw je wéwéne géndotmon nag tche
And respectfully I ask you an early
Ewi Mnokmek iw je wéwéne
Spring and respectfully
Endotmonag jak ézgak
We ask you for it all kinds of growing
Washkgbeg gé je skeknemag
Fruit that we may gather
Iw pi Ponok éwi mijyak
When Winter comes and we eat
Mine éwizgek nekmek jak
And gather all kinds
Ezgek mashgeké
Of growing things.
THE SOUTH :
Zhawdesi ik she éndotmonag
Hotness now we pray
Ewi mizhyak jak gégo kazegek
Then give us varities of all that
Géte ga nak gin jayék épamzen
Grows in the fields you do have all kinds of control
Ékwabdoyen éwi mno zak ki’eg
You have charge of them and good growths
MOTHER EARTH:
Mesekmekwé ngyénan ik she
Top soil our Mother now we
Wéwéne éndotmonag gé pe
Respectfully ask you to fulfill your
Bamziwen gé gin ga wje
Responsibility that is your duty
Bgetnegoyen éwi je nizhokmowiyak
You were placed to do and help us execute
Shewénmatenejnag éwi mno
Graciously and good
Zak k’yég mine wéwéne éwi
To sprout and properly to
Gizhgag jak gégo waje’ gé’ak
Mature all everything they/we plant
Éwi mémek mikwékek
And make them grow abundantly.
THE GOOD SPIRIT:
She wén ge’en mnomneto wéwéne
Merciful Good Spirit respectfully
Gnedotmomen éwi kewabmiyak
We say to protect then (us) from
Jak gégo éje nizan wiyag
All of the dangers
Gche tche igwan n’mo jenak
Avert cyclone or
Gche wawiyasto jayék gégo
Great Whirlwind and all sorts of
Ze’angek égche mkomi
Dangers with great hail or falling storm
Biésag gé’aba éwi bwa
Also avoid excessive
Ozam wizganmek
Winds
Iw je gé she ndotmomen
Also again we pray you
Gche tche igwan jayék
Ward off all kinds
Éwi nénmoyak jak zengak
Then ward them off all danger
Éwi bwa pe gém jeka gwi yak
Then so it will not touch
Gche tche igwan nénmo jenak
Us ward off great dangers
I gé zenan dek noden
Including Hot Wind.
Read and enjoy then....
Nin se Neaseno.
TOPASH PRAYER.
THUNDER:
O Jigwé Nagan’ien (énaganiyen)
Oh Thunder Leader
Mamwé mishkwezyen shote
Supreme Power here
Égi bgednegoyen éwi je
You were placed and to
Kewabmiyak I je mine
Protect us (also) and
Éwi nizhokmodwan gij
To help your other
Mishkwezimak éwi
Lesser plants under you and good
Mnogmoak éwi nizhokmodwan *(always praise the
Rains and help (bless us with) rains)
Éwi mno bmadziyak jak gégo
Good lives (that we may live good lives)
Mine éwi gsiabaudi’ek (gsiabadwiyek)
All crops, growths and every variety
Nebeshknegen jayék
All rotten things (and washes clean atop the ME
All rotten things)
Anaké tatbégwen mine mishkoyen
Along with leaves and weeds
Nebeshknegen éwi binabaud’iek (binabadwiyek)
Rotten and made clean by the rain
Édnesyak iw je pi
Where we live and when
Zhawno’enmek émnoskyag inoden
The South Winds with their nice damp air and the Great
Good Wind
Égche mnobmadji shka gwi yak
Enable us to live and able
Ije gedzhi’esk miyak jak
To continue all
Mno mikjéwiwen éwi
Variety of good work and
Jak gishkwiyak we’an meze
Variety of completed work pursuing
Mno mikjéwiyak éwi zhigojkemegon
Good work and to avoid
Mine jak nenyézanyek
Any and all danger.
NORTH SPIRIT:
Ahau Pondesé wéwéne
Greeting Coldness (One) earnestly
Genadotmonenan éwi
We ask you and
Kewabmiyak wéwénije
Protect us earnestly we ask
Genadotmonenan éwi
You to protect us and
Kewabmiyak éwi bwa zigdezhiyak
Watch over us and not to freeze us
Bénagdze éwi zak senyak
Be very mild then Cold Ones
Ije gche gdotmonenan
And we request
Débtso éwi bgeshagon
A sufficiency then of falling snow
Éwi ngwagneg se kig
So as to blanket the Earth
Éwi déb mno Otakiwak
And so sufficient a nice dampening of the Earth
Gé she je kejkadoiyag éwi
In order to help us then
Gizhgatoyag wabgonen
Raise pumpkins
Ndamneg mine penik
Corn and potatoes
Mine kojések mine
And beans and
Jak ézgak washkgbek
All variety of growing things
Mine jak ézgak bébiz wayak
And also small fruits.
THE EAST:
Kegnaswé ékche yéwak
Coming Daylight Greatest
Gebébamzawen gin
Power you
Éwedzema dzegék jak gégo
Start varieties of everything
Bamgak mshkekegé jak
Growing medicine all
Éshkek wa nadwashkag wiyak
Kinds that grow for doctoring ourselves
Ébgosén demak wéwéne éwi
We wish sincerely then
Gizgak iw je wéwéne gé je
They grow then nicely so we can
Skeksedoiyak éwi
Gather them and
Nado’owé wiyak iw pi éyaknogéyak
Cure ourselves when we fall ill
Iw je wéwéne géndotmon nag tche
And respectfully I ask you an early
Ewi Mnokmek iw je wéwéne
Spring and respectfully
Endotmonag jak ézgak
We ask you for it all kinds of growing
Washkgbeg gé je skeknemag
Fruit that we may gather
Iw pi Ponok éwi mijyak
When Winter comes and we eat
Mine éwizgek nekmek jak
And gather all kinds
Ezgek mashgeké
Of growing things.
THE SOUTH :
Zhawdesi ik she éndotmonag
Hotness now we pray
Ewi mizhyak jak gégo kazegek
Then give us varities of all that
Géte ga nak gin jayék épamzen
Grows in the fields you do have all kinds of control
Ékwabdoyen éwi mno zak ki’eg
You have charge of them and good growths
MOTHER EARTH:
Mesekmekwé ngyénan ik she
Top soil our Mother now we
Wéwéne éndotmonag gé pe
Respectfully ask you to fulfill your
Bamziwen gé gin ga wje
Responsibility that is your duty
Bgetnegoyen éwi je nizhokmowiyak
You were placed to do and help us execute
Shewénmatenejnag éwi mno
Graciously and good
Zak k’yég mine wéwéne éwi
To sprout and properly to
Gizhgag jak gégo waje’ gé’ak
Mature all everything they/we plant
Éwi mémek mikwékek
And make them grow abundantly.
THE GOOD SPIRIT:
She wén ge’en mnomneto wéwéne
Merciful Good Spirit respectfully
Gnedotmomen éwi kewabmiyak
We say to protect then (us) from
Jak gégo éje nizan wiyag
All of the dangers
Gche tche igwan n’mo jenak
Avert cyclone or
Gche wawiyasto jayék gégo
Great Whirlwind and all sorts of
Ze’angek égche mkomi
Dangers with great hail or falling storm
Biésag gé’aba éwi bwa
Also avoid excessive
Ozam wizganmek
Winds
Iw je gé she ndotmomen
Also again we pray you
Gche tche igwan jayék
Ward off all kinds
Éwi nénmoyak jak zengak
Then ward them off all danger
Éwi bwa pe gém jeka gwi yak
Then so it will not touch
Gche tche igwan nénmo jenak
Us ward off great dangers
I gé zenan dek noden
Including Hot Wind.
Friday, March 25, 2011
A poem for you today folks.....
I wrote this some time back.....
It still tells a powerful story though.....
We must not lose our language and cultural ways.....
We cannot lose them, for they are intertwined.....ya can't have one without the other.....
Read and enjoy.....and think deeply on the message therein....
Nin se Neaseno.
Look at my Horse!
By: Donald Perrot
I was standing somewhere
Looking at the sights of this world
And they told me I was too old to stand there,
So I told someone,
Hey mister, look at my horse.
She sure is fast,
She can sure run like the wind.
Look at her mane and tail, mister,
Did you ever see anything so beautiful?
Oh, they wouldn’t even look at my horse,
So I told them I knew of many horses,
And many riders who still trusted in horses.
I told them I could still ride like the old ones,
And keep up with the people who move as ghosts
In the wind at night and in the moonlight.
I told them we were a part of the horses
Because the horses were us,
And we were the horses.
Our Ways of Life are the horses
We ride throughout eternity
And beyond when you shall see us no more,
But wonder just where we all went,
On some moonlit night when shadows grow long,
And stories grow old with not even one
Storyteller around to finish the tale.
Hey mister, look for the wheel
Which shall come around again,
Looking for the paths to finish what
We have only begun to speak and do.
No, they didn’t want to listen to my drum,
Nor my songs, nor my stories, or even brush
My horse’s back or clean her fetlocks,
Or caress her hooves from the long trails
She had traveled for me and them.
Now they cry in the moonlight,
For some of the beauty I tried to tell them of
And whimpers can be heard midst the voices of little ones,
Who ache to hear the old stories once again.
Days when I told them of my old horse
And the winningness of her gallop,
And the sureness of her hoofbeats,
Beating a staccatto on well worn buffalo paths
They didn’t even know about.
I still love my old horse,
And still ride her in the moonlight,
When no one is about.
It matters not that no one sees her
To admire the beauty of her ways.
All that matters is that I still love and trust
Her and still want to ride her,
On moonlit nights when all is calm
And full of sweetgrass memories.
I shall yet love her and go on with her
Marveling at her sureness, and steady gait,
And strength that brought me through then.
From one who knows love then!
Nin se Neaseno...
Copyright 2004
It still tells a powerful story though.....
We must not lose our language and cultural ways.....
We cannot lose them, for they are intertwined.....ya can't have one without the other.....
Read and enjoy.....and think deeply on the message therein....
Nin se Neaseno.
Look at my Horse!
By: Donald Perrot
I was standing somewhere
Looking at the sights of this world
And they told me I was too old to stand there,
So I told someone,
Hey mister, look at my horse.
She sure is fast,
She can sure run like the wind.
Look at her mane and tail, mister,
Did you ever see anything so beautiful?
Oh, they wouldn’t even look at my horse,
So I told them I knew of many horses,
And many riders who still trusted in horses.
I told them I could still ride like the old ones,
And keep up with the people who move as ghosts
In the wind at night and in the moonlight.
I told them we were a part of the horses
Because the horses were us,
And we were the horses.
Our Ways of Life are the horses
We ride throughout eternity
And beyond when you shall see us no more,
But wonder just where we all went,
On some moonlit night when shadows grow long,
And stories grow old with not even one
Storyteller around to finish the tale.
Hey mister, look for the wheel
Which shall come around again,
Looking for the paths to finish what
We have only begun to speak and do.
No, they didn’t want to listen to my drum,
Nor my songs, nor my stories, or even brush
My horse’s back or clean her fetlocks,
Or caress her hooves from the long trails
She had traveled for me and them.
Now they cry in the moonlight,
For some of the beauty I tried to tell them of
And whimpers can be heard midst the voices of little ones,
Who ache to hear the old stories once again.
Days when I told them of my old horse
And the winningness of her gallop,
And the sureness of her hoofbeats,
Beating a staccatto on well worn buffalo paths
They didn’t even know about.
I still love my old horse,
And still ride her in the moonlight,
When no one is about.
It matters not that no one sees her
To admire the beauty of her ways.
All that matters is that I still love and trust
Her and still want to ride her,
On moonlit nights when all is calm
And full of sweetgrass memories.
I shall yet love her and go on with her
Marveling at her sureness, and steady gait,
And strength that brought me through then.
From one who knows love then!
Nin se Neaseno...
Copyright 2004
Thursday, March 24, 2011
In Memory of Edwegizhgokwe.....
In memoriam of Edwegizhgokwe.....
Who was with us in this language and yearned to be able to speak hers, the language she was born with and heard as a child.....now she roams those hills of home speaking to her heart's content and visiting often, the Ones she dreamed of....
and the One who gave her the life she lived so freely and fully, and then called her home to be with those who've earned a rest, as she did.
This song/poem was written by a friend of mine.....
Nin se Neaseno.
Teachers
Last night, I dreamed of floating on deep waters,
drifting toward destinations unknown
on a raft just barely large enough
to hold me.
Yesterday I watched her sleeping
for a long, long time,
breathed her living presence
as she visited those distant lands
of buoyant transformation.
I mused about the coming time
when her sleep will be the fathomless kind,
her living presence known to other realms --
no longer here,
no longer mine.
But now, she dreams as I do,
in domains we know but do not understand,
where conversations freely flow
between the souls of man.
These enigmatic dreams of hers and mine
instruct us with the same refrain:
Let your hearts be open!
open!
open!
no matter the fear or pain.
Copyright © 7-27-08
Juli Maltagliati
Who was with us in this language and yearned to be able to speak hers, the language she was born with and heard as a child.....now she roams those hills of home speaking to her heart's content and visiting often, the Ones she dreamed of....
and the One who gave her the life she lived so freely and fully, and then called her home to be with those who've earned a rest, as she did.
This song/poem was written by a friend of mine.....
Nin se Neaseno.
Teachers
Last night, I dreamed of floating on deep waters,
drifting toward destinations unknown
on a raft just barely large enough
to hold me.
Yesterday I watched her sleeping
for a long, long time,
breathed her living presence
as she visited those distant lands
of buoyant transformation.
I mused about the coming time
when her sleep will be the fathomless kind,
her living presence known to other realms --
no longer here,
no longer mine.
But now, she dreams as I do,
in domains we know but do not understand,
where conversations freely flow
between the souls of man.
These enigmatic dreams of hers and mine
instruct us with the same refrain:
Let your hearts be open!
open!
open!
no matter the fear or pain.
Copyright © 7-27-08
Juli Maltagliati
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