Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Week 4: First Month Ojibwe Jeopardy Review
Review the words from this week and the prior weeks with First Month Ojibwe Jeopardy Review.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Week 4: Nookwezigan
nookwezigan - A medicine for burning to make a smudge
What is smudging and why do we do it you ask?
Well, I'm happy Jason Jones posted on Youtube his gramma Nancy Jones talking about smudging....
The four sacred plants are:
Asemaa - Tobacco
Bashkodejiibik - Sage
Bashkodemashkosiw - Sweet Grass
Giizhik - cedar
(There are many words for these. We used the words in 'Ojibwemowin' by Tom Vollum for all except Giizhik where he uses Giizhikaandagoons.)
Please read, The Four Sacred Medicines for a good explanation of the uses of each.
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What is smudging and why do we do it you ask?
Well, I'm happy Jason Jones posted on Youtube his gramma Nancy Jones talking about smudging....
The four sacred plants are:
Asemaa - Tobacco
Bashkodejiibik - Sage
Bashkodemashkosiw - Sweet Grass
Giizhik - cedar
(There are many words for these. We used the words in 'Ojibwemowin' by Tom Vollum for all except Giizhik where he uses Giizhikaandagoons.)
Please read, The Four Sacred Medicines for a good explanation of the uses of each.
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Week 4: Introducing Yourself
You will find that you will have to introduce yourself more than you think you do. So it is important, when speaking Ojibwe, to do it in a proper way.
We must use the humbling
statement first.
Gaawiin aapiji ninitaa-ojibwemosii. - I don’t know how to talk
Ojibwe very much.
Ninga-gagwejitoon ji ojibwemoyaan. - I'll try talking Ojibwe.
Dan Jones was one of my Ojibwe teachers and he explains why you must use the humbling statement. “When you realize the language is a gift, then you accept the gift
humbly and the way that you share it is by giving it away. The humbling statement describes your
humility, and your appreciation of the gift the Creator gave to you, and so
when you do that, even before you identify, who you are, what you are, where
you come from.” – Dan Jones
Dan Jones' dad taught him that there are three protocol you should use when you introduce yourself. You should say your spiritual name, your clan, and where you are from.
_______________ nindizhinikaaz. - My name is _________________.
_______________ nindigoo ojibwemong. - My name in Ojibwe is _________________.
_________ nindoodem. - My clan is _________________.
Gaawiin ningikenimaasii nindoodem. - I don't know my clan.
_______________ nindoonjibaa. - I come from _________________.
_______________ nindaa. - I live in _________________.
Dan Jones explains it here.
Click here to hear Sonny McDougall talk about introducing yourself.
Practice these introduction phrases/words with these games:
Flashcards, Study Stack, Study Table, Matching, Crossword, Word Scramble, Bug Match, Hungry Bug
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Thursday, January 15, 2009
Week 3: Ojibwe Numbers Jeopardy
Click here to play Ojibwe Numbers Jeopardy.
You should play this game until you can master every question. Then you are ready for the test, and to move on to the next week.
Week 3: Keller Paap's Story
Please read Keller Paap's (<---- click on that) story.
Here's a piece of it:
"Zanagad, zanagad da-aabajitooyaan I’iw anishinaabemowin endaso-giizhik idash endasogiizhik nimbiindaakoonaag ingiw manidoog da-wiidookawiwaad ji nitaa-anishinaabemoyaan.
It’s hard, it’s hard to use it every day and every day I make a tobacco offering to the spirits to help me to learn how to speak Anishinaabemowin."
Don't worry about learning all that Ojibwe he says yet. That's an advanced level. Just read the English and learn from what he says. If you can pick up a couple of Ojibwe words from his story, that's even better.
:)
Here's a piece of it:
"Zanagad, zanagad da-aabajitooyaan I’iw anishinaabemowin endaso-giizhik idash endasogiizhik nimbiindaakoonaag ingiw manidoog da-wiidookawiwaad ji nitaa-anishinaabemoyaan.
It’s hard, it’s hard to use it every day and every day I make a tobacco offering to the spirits to help me to learn how to speak Anishinaabemowin."
Don't worry about learning all that Ojibwe he says yet. That's an advanced level. Just read the English and learn from what he says. If you can pick up a couple of Ojibwe words from his story, that's even better.
:)
Week 3: Ojibwe Number Activities
Number Activities
Play Cribbage
While you play Cribbage, use your Ojibwe numbers to count instead of the English. When you get a fifteen, don’t say, “Fifteen, two.” You will say, “Ashi-naanan, niizh.”
Play Bingo
While playing bingo, the bingo caller must call out the numbers in Ojibwe. Beginners may have the numbers in front of them, until they learn them. When you get a bingo, you must repeat the numbers on your bingo in Ojibwe to prove you have a valid bingo.
Play Cribbage
While you play Cribbage, use your Ojibwe numbers to count instead of the English. When you get a fifteen, don’t say, “Fifteen, two.” You will say, “Ashi-naanan, niizh.”
Play Bingo
While playing bingo, the bingo caller must call out the numbers in Ojibwe. Beginners may have the numbers in front of them, until they learn them. When you get a bingo, you must repeat the numbers on your bingo in Ojibwe to prove you have a valid bingo.
Week 3: Ojibwe Numbers 11-100
Now, we can understand if you are looking at the rest of these numbers and thinking, "dude that's like 90 more numbers!" It's really not. You really have only 10 more words to learn, to be able to count to 100.
Here they are:
ashi - plus
niizhtana - twenty
nisimidana - thirty
niimidana - forty
naanimidana - fifty
ningodwaasimidana - sixty
niizhwaasimidana - seventy
nishwaasimidana - eighty
zhaangasimidana - ninety
ningodwaak - one hundred
Let's looks at 11 - 20. You already know 1 - 10. To say 11-19 you just add "ashi" before the first nine numbers. So, "ashi-bezhig" means "plus one" which is the number eleven. "Ashi-niizh" or "plus two" means 12, and so on. So really, you are learning just one more word (ashi), to be able to count from 11 to 19.
11.....ashi-bezhig
12.....ashi-niizh
13.....ashi-niswi
14.....ashi-niiwin
15.....ashi-naanan
16.....ashi-ningodwaaswi
17.....ashi-niizhwaaswi
18.....ashi-nishwaaswi
19.....ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 20 is "niizhtana." To count from 20 to 29, niizhtana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 21 to 29, you simply say "niizhtana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 21, you will say "niizhtana-ashi-bezhig" which means "twenty plus one." Then 22 will be, "niizhtana-ashi-niizh."
20.....niizhtana
21.....niizhtana ashi bezhig
22.....niizhtana-ashi-niizh
23.....niizhtana-ashi-niswi
24.....niizhtana-ashi-niiwin
25.....niizhtana-ashi-naanan
26.....niizhtana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
27.....niizhtana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
28.....niizhtana-ashi-nishwaaswi
29.....niizhtana-ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 30 is "nisimidana." To count from 30 to 39, nisimidana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 31 to 39, you simply say "nisimidana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 31, you will say "nisimidana-ashi-bezhig" which means "thirty plus one." Then 32 will be, "nisimidana-ashi-niizh."
30.....nisimidana
31.....nisimidana ashi bezhig
32.....nisimidana-ashi-niizh
33.....nisimidana-ashi-niswi
34.....nisimidana-ashi-niiwin
35.....nisimidana-ashi-naanan
36.....nisimidana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
37.....nisimidana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
38.....nisimidana-ashi-nishwaaswi
39.....nisimidana-ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 40 is "niimidana." To count from 40 to 49, niimidana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 41 to 49, you simply say "niimidana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 41, you will say "niimidana-ashi-bezhig" which means "forty plus one." Then 42 will be, "niimidana-ashi-niizh."
40.....niimidana
41.....niimidana ashi bezhig
42.....niimidana-ashi-niizh
43.....niimidana-ashi-niswi
44.....niimidana-ashi-niiwin
45.....niimidana-ashi-naanan
46.....niimidana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
47.....niimidana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
48.....niimidana-ashi-nishwaaswi
49.....niimidana-ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 50 is "naanimidana." To count from 50 to 59, naanimidana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 51 to 59, you simply say "naanimidana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 51, you will say "naanimidana-ashi-bezhig" which means "fifty plus one." Then 52 will be, "naanimidana-ashi-niizh."
50.....naanimidana
51.....naanimidana-ashi-bezhig
52.....naanimidana-ashi-niizh
53.....naanimidana-ashi-niswi
54.....naanimidana-ashi-niiwin
55.....naanimidana-ashi-naanan
56.....naanimidana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
57.....naanimidana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
58.....naanimidana-ashi-nishwaaswi
59.....naanimidana-ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 60 is "ningodwaasimidana." To count from 60 to 69, ningodwaasimidana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 61 to 69, you simply say "ningodwaasimidana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 61, you will say "ningodwaasimidana-ashi-bezhig" which means "sixty plus one." Then 62 will be, "ningodwaasimidana-ashi-niizh."
60.....ningodwaasimidana
61.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-bezhig
62.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-niizh
63.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-niswi
64.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-niiwin
65.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-naanan
66.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
67.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
68.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-nishwaaswi
69.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 70 is "niizhwaasimidana." To count from 70 to 79, niizhwaasimidana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 71 to 79, you simply say "niizhwaasimidana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 71, you will say "niizhwaasimidana-ashi-bezhig" which means "seventy plus one." Then 72 will be, "niizhwaasimidana-ashi-niizh."
70.....niizhwaasimidana
71.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-bezhig
72.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-niizh
73.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-niswi
74.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-niiwin
75.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-naanan
76.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
77.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
78.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-nishwaaswi
79.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 80 is "nishwaasimidana." To count from 80 to 89, nishwaasimidana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 81 to 89, you simply say "nishwaasimidana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 81, you will say "nishwaasimidana-ashi-bezhig" which means "eighty plus one." Then 82 will be, "nishwaasimidana-ashi-niizh."
80.....nishwaasimidana
81.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-bezhig
82.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-niizh
83.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-niswi
84.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-niiwin
85.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-naanan
86.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
87.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
88.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-nishwaaswi
89.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 90 is "zhaangasimidana." To count from 90 to 99, zhaangasimidana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 91 to 99, you simply say "nzhaangasimidana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 91, you will say "zhaangasimidana-ashi-bezhig" which means "ninety plus one." Then 92 will be, "zhaangasimidana-ashi-niizh."
90.....zhaangasimidana
91.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-bezhig
92.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-niizh
93.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-niswi
94.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-niiwin
95.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-naanan
96.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
97.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
98.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-nishwaaswi
99.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-zhaangaswi
100.....ningodwaak
This video will help you count to 100.
Some games to play using the word List:
Flashcards, Study Stack, Study Table, Matching, Crossword, Word Scramble, Bug Match, Hungry Bug
Share on Facebook
Here they are:
ashi - plus
niizhtana - twenty
nisimidana - thirty
niimidana - forty
naanimidana - fifty
ningodwaasimidana - sixty
niizhwaasimidana - seventy
nishwaasimidana - eighty
zhaangasimidana - ninety
ningodwaak - one hundred
Let's looks at 11 - 20. You already know 1 - 10. To say 11-19 you just add "ashi" before the first nine numbers. So, "ashi-bezhig" means "plus one" which is the number eleven. "Ashi-niizh" or "plus two" means 12, and so on. So really, you are learning just one more word (ashi), to be able to count from 11 to 19.
11.....ashi-bezhig
12.....ashi-niizh
13.....ashi-niswi
14.....ashi-niiwin
15.....ashi-naanan
16.....ashi-ningodwaaswi
17.....ashi-niizhwaaswi
18.....ashi-nishwaaswi
19.....ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 20 is "niizhtana." To count from 20 to 29, niizhtana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 21 to 29, you simply say "niizhtana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 21, you will say "niizhtana-ashi-bezhig" which means "twenty plus one." Then 22 will be, "niizhtana-ashi-niizh."
20.....niizhtana
21.....niizhtana ashi bezhig
22.....niizhtana-ashi-niizh
23.....niizhtana-ashi-niswi
24.....niizhtana-ashi-niiwin
25.....niizhtana-ashi-naanan
26.....niizhtana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
27.....niizhtana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
28.....niizhtana-ashi-nishwaaswi
29.....niizhtana-ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 30 is "nisimidana." To count from 30 to 39, nisimidana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 31 to 39, you simply say "nisimidana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 31, you will say "nisimidana-ashi-bezhig" which means "thirty plus one." Then 32 will be, "nisimidana-ashi-niizh."
30.....nisimidana
31.....nisimidana ashi bezhig
32.....nisimidana-ashi-niizh
33.....nisimidana-ashi-niswi
34.....nisimidana-ashi-niiwin
35.....nisimidana-ashi-naanan
36.....nisimidana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
37.....nisimidana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
38.....nisimidana-ashi-nishwaaswi
39.....nisimidana-ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 40 is "niimidana." To count from 40 to 49, niimidana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 41 to 49, you simply say "niimidana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 41, you will say "niimidana-ashi-bezhig" which means "forty plus one." Then 42 will be, "niimidana-ashi-niizh."
40.....niimidana
41.....niimidana ashi bezhig
42.....niimidana-ashi-niizh
43.....niimidana-ashi-niswi
44.....niimidana-ashi-niiwin
45.....niimidana-ashi-naanan
46.....niimidana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
47.....niimidana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
48.....niimidana-ashi-nishwaaswi
49.....niimidana-ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 50 is "naanimidana." To count from 50 to 59, naanimidana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 51 to 59, you simply say "naanimidana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 51, you will say "naanimidana-ashi-bezhig" which means "fifty plus one." Then 52 will be, "naanimidana-ashi-niizh."
50.....naanimidana
51.....naanimidana-ashi-bezhig
52.....naanimidana-ashi-niizh
53.....naanimidana-ashi-niswi
54.....naanimidana-ashi-niiwin
55.....naanimidana-ashi-naanan
56.....naanimidana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
57.....naanimidana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
58.....naanimidana-ashi-nishwaaswi
59.....naanimidana-ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 60 is "ningodwaasimidana." To count from 60 to 69, ningodwaasimidana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 61 to 69, you simply say "ningodwaasimidana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 61, you will say "ningodwaasimidana-ashi-bezhig" which means "sixty plus one." Then 62 will be, "ningodwaasimidana-ashi-niizh."
60.....ningodwaasimidana
61.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-bezhig
62.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-niizh
63.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-niswi
64.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-niiwin
65.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-naanan
66.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
67.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
68.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-nishwaaswi
69.....ningodwaasimidana-ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 70 is "niizhwaasimidana." To count from 70 to 79, niizhwaasimidana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 71 to 79, you simply say "niizhwaasimidana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 71, you will say "niizhwaasimidana-ashi-bezhig" which means "seventy plus one." Then 72 will be, "niizhwaasimidana-ashi-niizh."
70.....niizhwaasimidana
71.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-bezhig
72.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-niizh
73.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-niswi
74.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-niiwin
75.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-naanan
76.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
77.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
78.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-nishwaaswi
79.....niizhwaasimidana-ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 80 is "nishwaasimidana." To count from 80 to 89, nishwaasimidana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 81 to 89, you simply say "nishwaasimidana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 81, you will say "nishwaasimidana-ashi-bezhig" which means "eighty plus one." Then 82 will be, "nishwaasimidana-ashi-niizh."
80.....nishwaasimidana
81.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-bezhig
82.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-niizh
83.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-niswi
84.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-niiwin
85.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-naanan
86.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
87.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
88.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-nishwaaswi
89.....nishwaasimidana-ashi-zhaangaswi
The word for 90 is "zhaangasimidana." To count from 90 to 99, zhaangasimidana is the only new word you will have to know. To count from 91 to 99, you simply say "nzhaangasimidana" and then add "ashi" and then the number you wish to say. For example, to say 91, you will say "zhaangasimidana-ashi-bezhig" which means "ninety plus one." Then 92 will be, "zhaangasimidana-ashi-niizh."
90.....zhaangasimidana
91.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-bezhig
92.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-niizh
93.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-niswi
94.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-niiwin
95.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-naanan
96.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-ningodwaaswi
97.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-niizhwaaswi
98.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-nishwaaswi
99.....zhaangasimidana-ashi-zhaangaswi
100.....ningodwaak
This video will help you count to 100.
Some games to play using the word List:
Flashcards, Study Stack, Study Table, Matching, Crossword, Word Scramble, Bug Match, Hungry Bug
Share on Facebook
Week 3: Ojibwe Numbers
Asigibii’igan(an) - Number(s)
This week we will be covering the Ojibwe Numbers 1-100. It seems like a lot of numbers to learn in one week. Don't get overwhelmed. It's not as many numbers to learn as you think.
Start with the first four numbers.
1.......bezhig
2.......niizh
3.......niswi
4.......niiwin
This video will help you with the first four numbers.
Now, go on and learn the rest of the first ten numbers.
1.......bezhig
2.......niizh
3.......niswi
4.......niiwin
5.......naanan
6.......ningodwaaswi
7.......niizhwaaswi
8.......nishwaaswi
9.......zhaangaswi
10.....midaaswi
These videos will help you with the first ten numbers.
NOTE: Some of these numbers the videos use may be a little different due to dialectual differences, but they are almost identical.
Some games to play using the word List:
Flashcards, Study Stack, Study Table, Matching, Crossword, Word Scramble, Fill in the blank, Multiple Choice, Bug Match, Hungry Bug
Don't move on until you know the first 10 numbers.
Share on Facebook
This week we will be covering the Ojibwe Numbers 1-100. It seems like a lot of numbers to learn in one week. Don't get overwhelmed. It's not as many numbers to learn as you think.
Start with the first four numbers.
1.......bezhig
2.......niizh
3.......niswi
4.......niiwin
This video will help you with the first four numbers.
Now, go on and learn the rest of the first ten numbers.
1.......bezhig
2.......niizh
3.......niswi
4.......niiwin
5.......naanan
6.......ningodwaaswi
7.......niizhwaaswi
8.......nishwaaswi
9.......zhaangaswi
10.....midaaswi
These videos will help you with the first ten numbers.
NOTE: Some of these numbers the videos use may be a little different due to dialectual differences, but they are almost identical.
Some games to play using the word List:
Flashcards, Study Stack, Study Table, Matching, Crossword, Word Scramble, Fill in the blank, Multiple Choice, Bug Match, Hungry Bug
Don't move on until you know the first 10 numbers.
Share on Facebook
Friday, January 9, 2009
Week 2 Ojibwe Jeopardy
Click here to play Week 2 Ojibwe Jeopardy.
You should play this game until you can master every question. Then you are ready for the test, and to move on to the next week.
You should play this game until you can master every question. Then you are ready for the test, and to move on to the next week.
Week 2 - The Elders Speak: Tobacco
asemaa - tobacco
Please read Culture and Traditions by Millie Benjamin. She writes, "Tobacco is a gift from the Great Spirit and our way to communicate with that spirit. The smoke from the tobacco carries our prayers to the Great Spirit" and "Anytime you ask Elders or anyone for advice, you must always offer tobacco first."
Anishinaabe people pray with tobacco. Anytime something is taken from nature, you must put out some tobacco. Anytime you ask something from an elder, you should offer some tobacco.
Spiritual healer Jimmy Jackson said, "I've been trying to teach them, to learn their language, get an Indian name, use your tobacco, pray with it. That's why it was given to us, you know, to use it that way. That's my word for the people."
Spiritual healer Ron Geyshick wrote, "Never put out tobacco without a prayer, as tobacco is our most sacred way of communicating with the spirits."
Anton Treuer wrote, "Recently Indians have forgotten to use their tobacco. It is critically important for Indians to use their tobacco. We should really do this all the time."
We hope that these quotes/stories/lessons will helped teach you the importance of using asemaa.
Please read Culture and Traditions by Millie Benjamin. She writes, "Tobacco is a gift from the Great Spirit and our way to communicate with that spirit. The smoke from the tobacco carries our prayers to the Great Spirit" and "Anytime you ask Elders or anyone for advice, you must always offer tobacco first."
Anishinaabe people pray with tobacco. Anytime something is taken from nature, you must put out some tobacco. Anytime you ask something from an elder, you should offer some tobacco.
Spiritual healer Jimmy Jackson said, "I've been trying to teach them, to learn their language, get an Indian name, use your tobacco, pray with it. That's why it was given to us, you know, to use it that way. That's my word for the people."
Spiritual healer Ron Geyshick wrote, "Never put out tobacco without a prayer, as tobacco is our most sacred way of communicating with the spirits."
Anton Treuer wrote, "Recently Indians have forgotten to use their tobacco. It is critically important for Indians to use their tobacco. We should really do this all the time."
We hope that these quotes/stories/lessons will helped teach you the importance of using asemaa.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Week 2: Ojibwe Language Revitilization
Please watch this video put out by TPT.
"A language is lost every fourteen days. One of those endangered tongues is Minnesota’s own Ojibwe language. Now a new generation of Ojibwe scholars and educators are racing against time to save the language."
Click on this at First Speakers-Restoring the Language to watch the video.
"A language is lost every fourteen days. One of those endangered tongues is Minnesota’s own Ojibwe language. Now a new generation of Ojibwe scholars and educators are racing against time to save the language."
Click on this at First Speakers-Restoring the Language to watch the video.
Week 2 - More Basic Vocabulary
How are you doing so far learning? So far you've learned about why we must know the Ojibwe language, and some basic words.
Howa!
Don't move ahead to today's lesson if you haven't mastered the previous lessons.
Now for some more basics.
Aaniin ezhinikaazoyan? - What’s your name? (How are you called?)
REMEMBER, the e makes the "ay" sound. (very important)
__________ nindizhinikaaz. - My name is ___________.
Aaniin ezhinikaazod? - What's his/her name?
________________ izhinikaazo. - His/her name is _______________.
There is no word for good bye, but giga-waabamin miinawaa is often used.
Giga-waabamin miinawaa. - I'll see you again.
Giga-waabamin naagaj. - I'll see you later.
Some games to play using the More Basic Vocab List:
Flashcards, Study Stack, Study Table, Matching, Crossword, Word Scramble, Bug Match, Hungry Bug
Share on Facebook
Howa!
Don't move ahead to today's lesson if you haven't mastered the previous lessons.
Now for some more basics.
Aaniin ezhinikaazoyan? - What’s your name? (How are you called?)
REMEMBER, the e makes the "ay" sound. (very important)
__________ nindizhinikaaz. - My name is ___________.
Aaniin ezhinikaazod? - What's his/her name?
________________ izhinikaazo. - His/her name is _______________.
There is no word for good bye, but giga-waabamin miinawaa is often used.
Giga-waabamin miinawaa. - I'll see you again.
Giga-waabamin naagaj. - I'll see you later.
Some games to play using the More Basic Vocab List:
Flashcards, Study Stack, Study Table, Matching, Crossword, Word Scramble, Bug Match, Hungry Bug
Share on Facebook
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Week 1 Quiz and Exam
It's QUIZ time!
Are you ready for it? Let's see if you are.
Take one, or both of the Basic Words Quiz and the Basic Words Test.
Are you ready for it? Let's see if you are.
Take one, or both of the Basic Words Quiz and the Basic Words Test.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Week 1: Speaking Every Day
We must use the language, speak the language, all day, every day.
You now have your basic word list:
1. Boozhoo - Hi
2. Aaniin - Hi or How?
3. Eya' - Yes
4. Gaawiin - No
5. Ahaw- Ok
6. Howa - Good job
7. Mii gwech - Thanks
8. Daga – Please
Have you been using these words? When you answer the phone, are you saying "Boozhoo?" When your family member gets you something to eat, or a drink, or does something for you, are you saying "mii gwech?" You should be. We have to use it to help us remember it..
Mii gwech
You now have your basic word list:
1. Boozhoo - Hi
2. Aaniin - Hi or How?
3. Eya' - Yes
4. Gaawiin - No
5. Ahaw- Ok
6. Howa - Good job
7. Mii gwech - Thanks
8. Daga – Please
Have you been using these words? When you answer the phone, are you saying "Boozhoo?" When your family member gets you something to eat, or a drink, or does something for you, are you saying "mii gwech?" You should be. We have to use it to help us remember it..
Mii gwech
Monday, January 5, 2009
Week 1: Match Game
One activity you can try is the match game.
First, we want you to take some note cards and on only one side, we want you to write the Ojibwe words down. So you will have 8 cards with the Ojibwe words on them. Take 8 more cards now and write the English words on them. Mix them up with the blank side showing.
With a friend now, you can play the match game. So you have all the cards laid out in front of you and a friend. Each takes a turn flipping two cards over. You have to match the Ojibwe word to it's English meaning.
When you pick up the Ojibwe word, you must say the word with proper pronunciation. For example, if you pick up daga, you must say that in Ojibwe. Then you must say, "I need to find please." Then if you pick up "please" you have a match and you get to go again. It is important to say these words out loud. If you pick up another English word, for example, "thanks," you have to say, no, that is mii gwech." Then it is the other person's turn.
When all of the matches are made, whomever has the most, wins.
First, we want you to take some note cards and on only one side, we want you to write the Ojibwe words down. So you will have 8 cards with the Ojibwe words on them. Take 8 more cards now and write the English words on them. Mix them up with the blank side showing.
With a friend now, you can play the match game. So you have all the cards laid out in front of you and a friend. Each takes a turn flipping two cards over. You have to match the Ojibwe word to it's English meaning.
When you pick up the Ojibwe word, you must say the word with proper pronunciation. For example, if you pick up daga, you must say that in Ojibwe. Then you must say, "I need to find please." Then if you pick up "please" you have a match and you get to go again. It is important to say these words out loud. If you pick up another English word, for example, "thanks," you have to say, no, that is mii gwech." Then it is the other person's turn.
When all of the matches are made, whomever has the most, wins.
Week 1: A Few Basic Words
It's easier to learn a language WITH someone else. That way you can repeat the words over and over again. If you do not repeat the words over and over again and just memorize them, there's a chance that as you increase your vocabulary, you will lose some words that you have already learned. You have to USE the language.
Starting out with a few basic words:
Boozhoo 1 - Hi
Aaniin - Hi or How?
"Boozhoo' is the traditional greeting of the Anishinabe people. It is derived from the name "Waynaboozhoo", the Spirit Being that first walked the earth for the Creator who we know as "G'zhemanitou" or Great Kind Spirit." -- Eddie Benton Banai
Listening to Ojibwe spoken is the best way to learn it. Anytime we can put on my own audio or find audio online we are going to do it.
We found an "Aaniin Boozhoo" song we want you to listen to. We think someone at the University of Wisconsin put that one up.
There are a couple other songs called "Aaniin Boozhoo Kina Weya," and Ojibwemowin Song for Kids that we want you to listen to. Keep playing these songs along with the Boozhoo Boozhoo Aaniin song posted earlier, until you learn how to pronounce and remember boozhoo and aaniin.
When you learn the basic word list, help your family members learn these words, and from then on, you will not use the English for these words at home, but the Ojibwe only.
More Basic Words to Learn:
Eya' 1 - Yes
Gaawiin - No
Ahaw- Ok
Howa - Good job
Mii gwech - Thanks
Daga - Please
Those 8 words should give you a good start. For pronunciation, click on each word and watch the video above.
Using the dictionary you should have downloaded in a previous post, make a word list using these words. Practice them using the flashcard option there. You can also print your word list from there. Print it and tape it on the fridge so that you will be reminded to use those words daily. Daga learn them before you move on to the next word list.
Some games to play using the Basic Words List:
Flashcards, Study Stack, Study Table, Matching, Crossword, Word Scramble, Bug Match, Hungry Bug
Waaby Wagner playing Hungry Bug using the Basic Words List.
Each week we will put in an Ojibwe Jeopardy Game to help you study. This will include questions from the word list from that week and the selected readings/videos.
Week 1 Ojibwe Jeopardy and Ojibwe Who Wants to be a Millionaire
Remember now, while at home, you must use these words instead of the English words.
Share on Facebook
Starting out with a few basic words:
Boozhoo 1 - Hi
Aaniin - Hi or How?
"Boozhoo' is the traditional greeting of the Anishinabe people. It is derived from the name "Waynaboozhoo", the Spirit Being that first walked the earth for the Creator who we know as "G'zhemanitou" or Great Kind Spirit." -- Eddie Benton Banai
Listening to Ojibwe spoken is the best way to learn it. Anytime we can put on my own audio or find audio online we are going to do it.
We found an "Aaniin Boozhoo" song we want you to listen to. We think someone at the University of Wisconsin put that one up.
There are a couple other songs called "Aaniin Boozhoo Kina Weya," and Ojibwemowin Song for Kids that we want you to listen to. Keep playing these songs along with the Boozhoo Boozhoo Aaniin song posted earlier, until you learn how to pronounce and remember boozhoo and aaniin.
When you learn the basic word list, help your family members learn these words, and from then on, you will not use the English for these words at home, but the Ojibwe only.
More Basic Words to Learn:
Eya' 1 - Yes
Gaawiin - No
Ahaw- Ok
Howa - Good job
Mii gwech - Thanks
Daga - Please
Those 8 words should give you a good start. For pronunciation, click on each word and watch the video above.
Using the dictionary you should have downloaded in a previous post, make a word list using these words. Practice them using the flashcard option there. You can also print your word list from there. Print it and tape it on the fridge so that you will be reminded to use those words daily. Daga learn them before you move on to the next word list.
Some games to play using the Basic Words List:
Flashcards, Study Stack, Study Table, Matching, Crossword, Word Scramble, Bug Match, Hungry Bug
Each week we will put in an Ojibwe Jeopardy Game to help you study. This will include questions from the word list from that week and the selected readings/videos.
Week 1 Ojibwe Jeopardy and Ojibwe Who Wants to be a Millionaire
Remember now, while at home, you must use these words instead of the English words.
Share on Facebook
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Week 1: Anton Treuer on Tobacco and Language Learning
One of my teachers, Anton Treuer on keeping the language:
I want you to read Anton Treuer's story on tobacco and learning the language.
Really think about what he says about the importance of using tobacco and learning/using the language.
I want you to read Anton Treuer's story on tobacco and learning the language.
Really think about what he says about the importance of using tobacco and learning/using the language.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Week 1: Free Online Ojibwe Language Dictionary
A good tool to use in learning the Ojibwe language is the Freelang.net Ojibwe Language Online Dictionary.
It has a large dictionary and a really cool interactive flashcard tool.
If you're trying to learn Ojibwe or are just interested, it's a nice free tool to download. I strongly recommend it.
There is also an online dictionary that you access from the internet called The Ojibwe Peoples Dictionary.
It has audio for many of the words. We link to many of them on this site.
It has a large dictionary and a really cool interactive flashcard tool.
If you're trying to learn Ojibwe or are just interested, it's a nice free tool to download. I strongly recommend it.
There is also an online dictionary that you access from the internet called The Ojibwe Peoples Dictionary.
It has audio for many of the words. We link to many of them on this site.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Week 1: Pronunciation Guide for the Double Vowel System
There is no standard writing system with Ojibwe language. Some people use "Phonetics" while others use "Syllabics" and others use the "Double Vowel System." No one way is right or wrong.
We are going to learn and use the Double Vowel System here, which was developed in the later twentieth century by Charles Fiero and John Nichols. As a writing system, it is very often used in the United States and Canada among language teachers and it is used in most Ojibwe language books. Although the letters used are taken from the English alphabet, the sounds of some of the letters are a little bit different.
The Ojibwe Alphabet is a, aa, b, ch, d, e, g, h, i, ii, j, k, m, n, o, oo, p, s, sh, t, w, y, z, zh and the glottal stop '.
The Ojibwe alphabet has no C, F, L, Q, R, U, V, or X.
Ojibwe Vowels: The 7 vowels are a, aa, e, i, ii, o, oo. Four of the vowels are long… aa, e, ii, oo. Three of the vowels are short… a, i, o. The long and short refer to the amount of time you hold on to the sound when you say it.
a - makes the "uh" sound as in the English word "about"
aa - makes the "ah" sound as in the English word "cob"
e - makes the "ay" sound as in the English word "cafe"
i - makes the "ih" sound as in the English word "pin"
ii - makes the "ee" sound as in the English word "see"
o - makes the "oh" sound as in the English word "obey"
oo - sometimes makes the same sound as the "oa" in "boat" and at others the same sound as the "oo" in "boot"
Ojibwe Consonants: All of the consonants are hard sounding. For example, in English the "G" can have two sounds as in "Great" and "George." The "G" in "Great" is hard sounding. With the following chart, the English sound equivalent is bolded.
b - brave
ch - champion
d - dreams
g - great
h - hope
j - jovial
k - keep
m - merry
n - need
p - pride
s - sun
sh - shine
t - time
w - wishes
y - yams
z - zoo
zh - measure
‘ - uh-oh (the short pause you use between the uh and the oh is the equivalent to the glottal stop)
I find that if you concentrate on the vowels, it will be easier to learn. Most of the consonant sounds are the same as in English. The only problems I've witnessed students having with the consonants, is keeping the "G" hard, and pronouncing the "J" as in "jump" or "jovial" and not with a softer "zh" sound.
Other Sounds: These letters together make different sounds.
ay - buy
aw - ouch
Nasalization:
Some places will use the "nh" on a word to show a nasalization sound. Other places will use an underline to show nasalization.
Another Sound Chart 1 2 may also be helpful. Check those out as well.
The Anishinaabe Hangout Crew talk about dialects and Ojibwe sounds.
We are going to learn and use the Double Vowel System here, which was developed in the later twentieth century by Charles Fiero and John Nichols. As a writing system, it is very often used in the United States and Canada among language teachers and it is used in most Ojibwe language books. Although the letters used are taken from the English alphabet, the sounds of some of the letters are a little bit different.
The Ojibwe Alphabet is a, aa, b, ch, d, e, g, h, i, ii, j, k, m, n, o, oo, p, s, sh, t, w, y, z, zh and the glottal stop '.
The Ojibwe alphabet has no C, F, L, Q, R, U, V, or X.
Ojibwe Vowels: The 7 vowels are a, aa, e, i, ii, o, oo. Four of the vowels are long… aa, e, ii, oo. Three of the vowels are short… a, i, o. The long and short refer to the amount of time you hold on to the sound when you say it.
a - makes the "uh" sound as in the English word "about"
aa - makes the "ah" sound as in the English word "cob"
e - makes the "ay" sound as in the English word "cafe"
i - makes the "ih" sound as in the English word "pin"
ii - makes the "ee" sound as in the English word "see"
o - makes the "oh" sound as in the English word "obey"
oo - sometimes makes the same sound as the "oa" in "boat" and at others the same sound as the "oo" in "boot"
Ojibwe Consonants: All of the consonants are hard sounding. For example, in English the "G" can have two sounds as in "Great" and "George." The "G" in "Great" is hard sounding. With the following chart, the English sound equivalent is bolded.
b - brave
ch - champion
d - dreams
g - great
h - hope
j - jovial
k - keep
m - merry
n - need
p - pride
s - sun
sh - shine
t - time
w - wishes
y - yams
z - zoo
zh - measure
‘ - uh-oh (the short pause you use between the uh and the oh is the equivalent to the glottal stop)
I find that if you concentrate on the vowels, it will be easier to learn. Most of the consonant sounds are the same as in English. The only problems I've witnessed students having with the consonants, is keeping the "G" hard, and pronouncing the "J" as in "jump" or "jovial" and not with a softer "zh" sound.
Other Sounds: These letters together make different sounds.
ay - buy
aw - ouch
Nasalization:
Some places will use the "nh" on a word to show a nasalization sound. Other places will use an underline to show nasalization.
The Anishinaabe Hangout Crew talk about dialects and Ojibwe sounds.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Week 1: Boozhoo and Welcome
Boozhoo 1 (Hello)
Here's the 'Boozhoo Boozhoo Aaniin' song by my wife and son (Giizhik) to welcome you. (They're singing along to a CD.)
The lyrics....
Boozhoo boozhoo aaniin (X3)
Boozhoo boozhoo boozhoo
Wiinge niin nimino-ayaa (X3)
Ambegish ambegish mino-ayaayan
Boozhoo boozhoo aaniin (X3)
Boozhoo boozhoo boozhoo
Wiinge niin nimino-ayaa (X3)
Ambegish ambegish mino-ayaayan Share on Facebook
Here's the 'Boozhoo Boozhoo Aaniin' song by my wife and son (Giizhik) to welcome you. (They're singing along to a CD.)
The lyrics....
Boozhoo boozhoo aaniin (X3)
Boozhoo boozhoo boozhoo
Wiinge niin nimino-ayaa (X3)
Ambegish ambegish mino-ayaayan
Boozhoo boozhoo aaniin (X3)
Boozhoo boozhoo boozhoo
Wiinge niin nimino-ayaa (X3)
Ambegish ambegish mino-ayaayan Share on Facebook
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