Some outdoor words to consider

Zagech Kedwenen- Outside words.

Zibe- river.

Mbes- lake.

Mtek- tree.

Mtekwakik- forest.

Mishkos- grass.

Waskonedo- flower.

Sheshke- dirt.

Gishek- sky.

Ankwet- cloud.

Zibiwes- creek.

Gises- sun.

Dbek gises- moon.

Tkep- spring .

Wabskokik- swamp.

Ashbek- mountain.

Sen- rock .  

Kche gami- ocean .

Mbes – lake.

Mbeses – small pond.

Bidki gamiwen – in land lake.

Gche gami – great lake.

Mnokmek, Nibek, Dgwagek, Bbomgek- Seasons

Mnokmek- spring.

Nibnek- summer.

Dgwaget- fall.

Bbomgek- winter.

Zagech ezhewébek- Weather

Gmowen- its raining.

Waseyamget- its bright/ sunny.

Boni- its snowing.

Gche binimget – it’s really snowing hard.

Pespeyasom get – drizzling.

Wenbismget – raining lightly.

Gwankwet- its cloudy.

Ni je ngom ézh gishgek zagech? How is the weather today?

Gshate- hot.

Ksenya- cold.

Noden- windy.

Gshate ne? Is it hot?

Ksenya ne? Is it cold.

Tkeya ne?  Is it cool?

Gmeya ne?  Is it rainy?

Gmyeyamget – raining.

Gmyeyambet – it’s rainy.

Yabwam ne?  Is it warm?

mno gishget – it’s a nice day

mno gishget ngom zagech – it’s a nice day outside

yabwamget zagech ngom – it’s warm outdoors today

wimno gishget ngom – it’s going to be nice today

gimno gishget – it was a nice day

kwan se ge mno gishget it’s really a nice day

mzhe kwet ngom it’s a clear sky today

kwan se ge mzhe kwet it’s really a clear sky

gsha tem get ngom it’s hot today

kwan se ge gshate it’s really hot

kwan se ge gsha temget ngom it’s really hot today

wiska kte mget it’s unbearabley hot

gwi pich gsha tem get ngom it’s going to be a really hot day

tke yam get it’s cool

tke yam get she anwe bgeji it’s cooling off a little

bidan kwet clouds are coming

ngwan kwet zagech ngom it’s cloudy outdoors today

ngwan kwet it’s cloudy

we ban met the wind is beginning to blow

nshiw we nmet ngom zagech it’s windy outdoors today

noden ngom it’s windy today

nsho na da nmet the wind is blowing in all directions

bkwe nem get zagech ngom it’s hazy outdoors today

gaga she gwi nshiw enmet zagech the wind is going to blow hard soon

kche noden really strong wind

nshiw wenmet it’s very windy

waw yasto wa je byat tornado is coming

wawyasto tornado

niska det ngom it’s stormy today

gmeyamget it’s raining

gmeyamget ngom zagech it’s raining outdoors today

gmo nos wen ngom it’s drizzling today

wenbisamget raining lightly

bonanmet wind is settling down/it is stopping

ksenyam get ngom it’s cold today

kwan se ge ksen yam get ngom zagech it’s really cold outdoors today

bonim get ngom it’s snowing today

gwi bonim get ngom it’s going to snow today

zho shkwam get ngom zagech it’s slippery outdoors today

gwi kche bonimke wabek/pkonyak it’s really going to snow tomorrow/tonight

nge dem get ngom it’s melting today

gi jak gezo o gon the snow is melting

gi jak gezo o mkwem the ice is melting

On the little word gego

Gégo

Gégo has more than one meaning.  The most common use is as a “Prohibitive.”

Examples:

Gégo i zhechkéken            Don’t do that

Gégo bmeptoken               Don’t run

Gégo majiken                      Don’t leave

Gégo moken                        Don’t cry

Gégo   moken

Gégo   zhechkén i

Gégo   wisneken ode

Gégo   mnekwéken i mshkwedéwabo

Gégo   gzhipken

Gégo   bmeptoken shote

Gégo   pegnoken i bkwakwet

Gégo   zégzeken

Gégo   majiken

Gégo   bsegwiken

Gégo   jibdeken shote/ibe

Gégo   shkadzeken

Gégo   toyen i shote

Gégo   wjandaken i

Gégo   kedken i

Gégo   wabdemken é i

Gégo   wépodoken o

Gégo   bodwéken

Gégo   kigdoken

Gégo  odankéken  ngom

Gégo  wzgabyénkéken  émnekwéyen

Gégo  pamséken  shote

Gégo  gwaske’oken  ngoji  pi  shote

Gégo  wébiwéken

Gégo  gdemojkéken  ibe

Gégo  giwséken  shote

Gégo  mamgedonen  ni  boktoyen

Gégo  myanéndemken

Gégo  jagdéken  i  wisnewen

Gego  mikjewiken  nwesh

Gego  mnekweken  i

Gego  wisneken  shote

Gego  chikasken  begishek

Gego  kigdoken  bepkonyak

Gego  mbwaj’eweken  nwesh

Gego  gishkwebyeken  mine

Gego  nimediken  ibe

Gego  wawijgeken   i  msenegen

Gego  widmoken  o

Gégo does not always mean “Don’t.”

Note – Gégo usually refers to something inanimate.  If you want to say I didn’t see anyone, it would be Cho weye ngi wabmasi.

Cho gégo ngi zhechkési                I didn’t do anything

Cho gégo ngi wzhetosimen         We didn’t make anything

Cho gégo ngi nodasimen              We didn’t hear anything

Cho gégo ngi wabdesin                I didn’t see anything

Cho she gégo ngi wabdasin         I really didn’t see anything.

Cho gégo ngi wisnesin                  I didn’t eat anything

Cho she gégo ngi gishpnedosin I really didn’t buy anything

Cho gégo nge kendasin                I don’t know anything

Cho she gégo nge kendasin         I really don’t know anything

Jak gégo égi zhetot                        He/she made everything

Jak gégo ngi wisen                         I ate everything

Jak gégo ngi gishpnedosin           I bought everything

Jak gégo ngi zhechkén                  I did everything

Jak gégo ngi wabdan                     I saw everything

Gégo shna égi zhechkét               He/she did something

Gwi zhechké’en gégo ne pkonyak Are you doing something tonight?

Gégo ne gwi wisen?                      Are you going to eat something?

Épandewebneyan gégo                I’m looking for something

Émikwéndemyan gégo                 I’m remembering something

Gégo ne ga kedyen?                      Did you say something?

Gégo ne émikwéndemyen?        Do you remember anything?

Gégo ne ga gishpnedoyen?         Did you buy anything?

Gégo ne ggi zhechkéyen ode waben    Did you do anything this morning?

Ggi mkan ne gégo ibe égi zhyayen       

Did you find anything there where you went?

Gégo ne gwi zhya ne wabek        Are you going somewhere tomorrow?

Gishpnedoshen gégo                    Buy me something

Gégo éwi gishpnedoyan gishpen nwi odanke

                        I will buy something if I go to town

Gego ne ggi dapnan ne ibe biskemgemek

            Did you pick anything up at the clothing store?

Ggi zam wisen ne gégo?

Gégo ne ggi gish wisen?

Nedwéndan gégo ne émnekwéyen?

Jak gégo éwabdet

Jak weye éwabmat

Gégo ne égi wawidayen?

Cho gégo ngi wawidasin

Cho gégo ngi majidosin

Cho gégo ngi wisnesin

Cho gégo ngi dapnasin

Cho gégo ng’kendasin

Cho gégo étoyan

From the Perrots.

On the road again…….

We are going to be on the road for a while for the next few days visiting family and friends toward the South Lands. Postings may not be as numerous but we shall endeavor to post something as time permits. For those of you who view this site, we may even post some pics as they occasion themselves, of our visits, of our activities, and some of the country side that we occasion to visit. 

It is enjoyable to post things that folks want to learn and wish to use in their pursuit of the various languages we represent on this site. I know some of you may not be all that interested in our languages, but perhaps want to look at some of our history and cultural subjects. We shall be doing more of that in the near future. 

For now, we wish a hearty Spring Blessing on ya all and hope you enjoy the warmer weather. 

The Perrots.  

Wa zhechkeyak

By Dolores

Gégo

Gégo has more than one meaning.  The most common use is as a “Prohibitive.”

Examples:

Gégo i zhechkéken            Don’t do that

Gégo bmeptoken               Don’t run

Gégo majiken                      Don’t leave

Gégo moken                        Don’t cry

Gégo   moken

Gégo   zhechkén i

Gégo   wisneken ode

Gégo   mnekwéken i mshkwedéwabo

Gégo   gzhipken

Gégo   bmeptoken shote

Gégo   pegnoken i bkwakwet

Gégo   zégzeken

Gégo   majiken

Gégo   bsegwiken

Gégo   jibdeken shote/ibe

Gégo   shkadzeken

Gégo   toyen i shote

Gégo   wjandaken i

Gégo   kedken i

Gégo   wabdemken é i

Gégo   wépodoken o

Gégo   bodwéken

Gégo   kigdoken

Gégo  odankéken  ngom

Gégo  wzgabyénkéken  émnekwéyen

Gégo  pamséken  shote

Gégo  gwaske’oken  ngoji  pi  shote

Gégo  wébiwéken

Gégo  gdemojkéken  ibe

Gégo  giwséken  shote

Gégo  mamgedonen  ni  boktoyen

Gégo  myanéndemken

Gégo  jagdéken  i  wisnewen

Gego  mikjewiken  nwesh

Gego  mnekweken  i

Gego  wisneken  shote

Gego  chikasken  begishek

Gego  kigdoken  bepkonyak

Gego  mbwaj’eweken  nwesh

Gego  gishkwebyeken  mine

Gego  nimediken  ibe

Gego  wawijgeken   i  msenegen

Gego  widmoken  o

Gégo does not always mean “Don’t.”

Note – Gégo usually refers to something inanimate.  If you want to say I didn’t see anyone, it would be Cho weye ngi wabmasi.

Cho gégo ngi zhechkési                I didn’t do anything

Cho gégo ngi wzhetosimen         We didn’t make anything

Cho gégo ngi nodasimen              We didn’t hear anything

Cho gégo ngi wabdesin                I didn’t see anything

Cho she gégo ngi wabdasin         I really didn’t see anything.

Cho gégo ngi wisnesin                  I didn’t eat anything

Cho she gégo ngi gishpnedosin I really didn’t buy anything

Cho gégo nge kendasin                I don’t know anything

Cho she gégo nge kendasin         I really don’t know anything

Jak gégo égi zhetot                        He/she made everything

Jak gégo ngi wisen                         I ate everything

Jak gégo ngi gishpnedosin           I bought everything

Jak gégo ngi zhechkén                  I did everything

Jak gégo ngi wabdan                     I saw everything

Gégo shna égi zhechkét               He/she did something

Gwi zhechké’en gégo ne pkonyak Are you doing something tonight?

Gégo ne gwi wisen?                      Are you going to eat something?

Épandewebneyan gégo                I’m looking for something

Émikwéndemyan gégo                 I’m remembering something

Gégo ne ga kedyen?                      Did you say something?

Gégo ne émikwéndemyen?        Do you remember anything?

Gégo ne ga gishpnedoyen?         Did you buy anything?

Gégo ne ggi zhechkéyen ode waben    Did you do anything this morning?

Ggi mkan ne gégo ibe égi zhyayen       

Did you find anything there where you went?

Gégo ne gwi zhya ne wabek        Are you going somewhere tomorrow?

Gishpnedoshen gégo                    Buy me something

Gégo éwi gishpnedoyan gishpen nwi odanke

                        I will buy something if I go to town

Gego ne ggi dapnan ne ibe biskemgemek

            Did you pick anything up at the clothing store?

Ggi zam wisen ne gégo?

Gégo ne ggi gish wisen?

Nedwéndan gégo ne émnekwéyen?

Jak gégo éwabdet

Jak weye éwabmat

Gégo ne égi wawidayen?

Cho gégo ngi wawidasin

Cho gégo ngi majidosin

Cho gégo ngi wisnesin

Cho gégo ngi dapnasin

Cho gégo ng’kendasin

Cho gégo étoyan

On the little word of odan

Various Forms of (Odan)

Odan         town or village

Odanek       to town or in town

Odanes       little village

Odanke       go to town (sing.)

Odanket      he/she went to town

Odankewat    they went to town

Odankemen        go to town (we, us)

Odankem      go to town (plural) ya all

Odankeyen        go to town (sing.) you

Odankeyek        go to town (plural) ya all

Odankeyan        go to town ( I, me)

Odankeyak        go to town (we, us) excluding listener

Odankeygo        go to town (we, us) including listener

Odankenaben      suppose to go/suppose to have gone  (sing.)

Odankemnaben same as (odankenaben) except plural

Odankemwaben same as (odankemnaben) except ya all

Odankesi     (cho ngi odankesi) I didn’t go to town  (sing.)

Odankesimen      (cho ngi odankesimen) we didn’t go to town  (plural)

Odankesim        (cho ne ggi odankesim?)  Didn’t you people go to town?

Some stuff on negatives

Practice  with Negatives

Note:  Cho is often written as Jo.  They are the same thing, spelled different ways.

One shall find many different spellings of numerous words in Potawatomi if one studies the language long enough.

Practice your 7 Who’s:

Cho n  gi zhyasi

Cho (g) gi zhyasi

Cho gi zhyési

Cho n  gi zhyasimen

Cho (g) gi zhyasimen

Cho (g) gi zhyasim

Cho gi zhyésik

Cho n gi mnekwési

Cho (g) gi mnekwési

Cho gi mnekwési

Cho n gi mnekwésimen

Cho (g) gi mnekwésimen

Cho (g) gi mnekwésim

Cho gi mnekwésik

Cho n gi mikchéwisi

Cho (g) gi mikchéwisi

Cho gi mikchéwisi

Cho n gi mikchéwisimen

Cho (g) gi mikchéwisimen

Cho (g) gi mikchéwisim

Cho gi mikchéwisik

What’s the difference?

Cho n gi zhyasi ibe

Cho, n gi zhya ibe

Cho n gi mikchéwisi wnago                         

Cho, n gi mikchéwi wnago

Cho n wi mnekwési

Cho, n wi mnekwé

G gi giwsé ne?

Cho g gi giwsési ne?

G gi wjanda ne?

Cho g gi wjandasi ne?

G gi maji ne?

Cho g gi majisi ne?

Inanimate Transitives…

Cho n detosin i biskewagen

Cho n detosin i kwabegas

Cho n gi wzhetosin i mjegodé

Cho n gi bmowdosin i gokbenagen

Cho n gi nodasin i tetagen

Cho g detosin ne i biskewagen?

Cho g detosin ne i wiwkwan?

What’s the difference?

Cho ndetosin i

Cho, nde ton ngot ode

Cho gégo étoyan

Cho ngi tosin wnago

Cho nwi tosin wabek

Cho, ma shna nwi ton ngot wabek

Cho, ma shna étot ngot o Ruby

Animate Transitives…

Cho n gi wabmasi o mko

Cho n gi nodwasi o nene

Cho n gi gbashmasik gi penik

Cho n gi zaskokwanasik gi shegagoshek

Cho n gi kewabmasik gi penojék

Cho g gi wabmasi ne o kwé?

Cho g gi nodwasi ne o bnési?

What’s the difference…

Cho zabénma o

Cho ngi byénasi nnikan

Cho, ngi byéna o

Cho ngi wabmasi o

Cho, wnago ngi wabma

Cho ngi zaskokwanasik penyék

Cho, penyék ngi zaskokwanak

Other negatives…

Cho wi / Cho she = emphasized

Cho wika = never, or really emphasized

Chomshe = not yet

Chomamda = not possible

Cho weye = no one

Cho ngoji = nowhere

Cho gégo = nothing

Cho she n gi zhyasi ibe

Cho wi she n gi zhyasi ibe

Chomshe n gi zhyasi ibe

Chomshe dawéwgemek n gi zhyasi

Chomshe n gi wéwébtasimen

Chomshe n gi bidgésimen

Chomshe n gi gbashmasik gi penik

Chomshe n gi gishpnedosin i dabyan

Chomshe n gi pe’egwadosin i mjegodé

Chomamda n wi gishpnedosin i dabyan

Chomamda n wi gbatosin ode mbop

Chomamda n wi gapikési

Chomamda g wi wéwébtasimen

Chomamda g wi bidgésimen

Chomamda g wi nim’edisimen

Chomamda n wi giwsési ngom

Cho weye gi zhyési ibe.

Cho weye gi nim’edisi

Cho weye gi mnekwési

Cho weye gi mikchéwisi shote

Cho weye gi wjandasin gégo

Cho weye gi wisnesin gégo

Cho weye gi bmosési shote

Cho ngoji n gi zhyasi

Cho ngoji gi chikazsik

Cho ngoji gi giwsési weye

Cho ngoji n gi nim’edisimen

Cho ngoji n gi mnekwésimen

Cho ngoji n gi gishkwébyésimen

Cho ngoji n gi kyébadsimen

Cho ngoji wi ksenyasi wabek

Cho gégo n gi gishpnedosin

Cho gégo ndestotosin

Cho gégo n gi wisnesin

Cho gégo n gi gbatosin

Cho gégo n gi wabdasin

Cho gégo n gi wabdasimen

Cho gégo n gi nodasimen

Some very necessary stuff sometimes

A glossary of some more words.

Neshnabe kendaswen      traditional neshnabe knowledge.

Neshnabe                the good being (male) created from nothing and                          lowered down to this earth. Name of all people                          who are descendants of the people who speak the                       various dialects of neshnabemwen

Mjina neshnabek         there are those who think they are neshnabek and                        by all they try to do and act, they will become                         more neshnabe-like and/or spiritual. These tend                        to act as though they are more spiritual than                               others of their kind. Proud and haughty are                               they!

Neshnabemwen            The Neshnabe language/The Three Fires language

Sema                    tobacco

Sen                     rock/stone

Atsokan                 traditional cultural story

Ezhikenimnonadzed bemadzet     The study of the behavior of life

Bemadzet                a human being

Bsendagmowen            acquired knowledge, learning from listening

Bgosenjegewen           things hoped for

Zhewenmeshen            pity me/have mercy on me

Zhewenmeshnak           have pity on us/also mercy

Zhawenmengomen          they are jealous of us

Kcheneshnabe/kcheneshnabek     The Ancient Ones

Epitsewat neshnabek           The Ancient Ones

Gete Neshnabek          The real ones

Wakendemwajek           the wise ones

Debwewen                truth

Gwekwadzewen            honesty

Dewegen                 drum

Edneswen                Natural Law, natural way of behavior

Segmekwe                Mother Earth

Eyawyan                 identity, the way all is in me or every way I am

                        of my being

Kche mkede mko          large black bear

Gichidakwe              female ceremonial helper

Getesewen               intuition, the navel way, mother connection to                                              you

Gwabminjegewen          knowledge from observation

Kshemenedo              Great Spirit

Mamogosnan              The Creator

Kendaswen               knowledge

Kenjegadewen            reality, a known truth

Kimingoa anwe kendaswen        The original instructions given to the

                               Neshnabek by Kshemenedo

Mkedeke                 the act of fasting

Mkedeke’w’egan          a fasting lodge

Mkedekewen              fasting or vision quest, the way of the quest.

                        We say this because the spiritual people who put                        us in the ways of “extreme danger”, or “path of                         the fire”, literally place us in harms’ way when                      we go out to fast. That is why we place the                              smudges of black charcoal on each cheek and                           forhead of the “quester.

                        To go before the SPIRIT in such a manner with                           the imploring we do when we cry out for a                               vision, or a gift, in those lonely places is to                         be willing to die for the sake of the people.                          i.e., so the common people may live. So the                          “vision quest” has nothing to do with individual                    effort or EGO. In fact, the EGO of the quester                          must die out. It is the way of death to man’s                           spirit or control over his pitiful life, so the                         real spirit inside him can live and do the will                        of the SPIRIT for the common people. It is a way                      of self sacrifice to bring back the power of the                        SPIRIT for one’s people, so they can all live!

Mnedo wabewen           Revealed Knowledge

Mnedo                   a spirit

Mnedoke/mendoke         conduct a ceremony

Mendokaswenen           a ceremony

Mnedoskwim’mendamowen   Spirit memory/blood memory

                        Stitched into your spirit

                        The knowledge that enters this world when one’s

                        spirit fuses with the physical body, spirit                             idenity    

Menjemendamowen         memory, hold and stitch together

Mnobmadzewen            The Way of the Good Life, In order to have a                            good life one must have a goal. This goal is to                         be free from illness, to live to the fullest.

                        Bemadzewen is based on a concept of health and                          good living. One must work on prevention and not                        only healing. It is a Holy Life. One must eat                          well, act well, and live physically, mentally,                           emotionally well. Emotional well being is a key                      to Bemadzewen.

Mshekeke                medicine that comes from the roots of Earth

Mshkekiwen              the way of medicine

Meshomes                Grandfather

Debwetawen              belief, the truth that is evident in the way of                         action. One cannot know the truth unless one has                        seen or experienced it in a direct way                                (physically or spiritually).

Debwewen                Faith, the heart that all relates to,                                   truthfulness.

Nedendowen              responsibility.

Nagdewendemwen          A spiritual vision

Apwewen/nademowen       Vivid dream/lucid

Nbwakawen               wisdom, from the root-nebwa-in the kindness of                          putting yourself backwards but at the same time                         of bringing forward the wisdom one carries.

                        Thinking back, bringing forward and stitching                           all together; i.e., life knowledge (Elders).

Nendamowen              forget, unstitched.

Nenmowen                thought.

Nisawai’igwan           at the center, Nawai: center.

Nswe shkode Midewigan   The Three Fires Medicine Society

Noden                   wind, also the old term to describe the workings                        of the mind.

Nokmes                  Grandmother

Nwendeman               choice, browsing in one’s thoughts

Nwennamdanwen           making a choice

De’h                    heart

Odewegen                the way of the drum

Shkabewes               the new one, male ceremonial helper

Gichidakwe              female ceremonial helper

Wenizhejegeyan          free will, the way I am going to do things

Wanen’enema             will, has to do with the ability to think                               independently.

Wigiwamatek             lodge pole

Zagidewen               love/caring, all of something emanating out of                          you. Not the same as the English “make love”,                           sexual, but rather of caring. It is something                           based on mutual respect. You can feel it but you                     cannot touch it. It is all of you filling the                              heart of another, mnadenemwenen, feeding that                          heart with the thought of something. Out of

                        Zagidewen a human being is able to heal him/her                         self.

Zhishigwen              shaker, rattle.

Shkebdagen              shooter, as in medicine dance ceremony.

Some words to consider:

Inendeman               what I think

Inendagwet              what I permit

Inendagzewen            what is permitted

Nagdewendemwen          deeper level thoughts, often what one does not

                        share with others easily for whatever reason,

                        or reasons. These deeper level thoughts are

                        sometimes somewhat embarrassing to reveal for

                        the individual, but are known by the SPIRIT and

                        the Interpreters/Translators.

                        The stuff we keep inside is what makes up who we                                                  really are and what our true identity is.                               (Eyawyan)

Kchenendezwen           proud, haughty thoughts of oneself!

Shiwnendezwen           mean, ugly, vicious thoughts culminating in                             that type of actions toward another or                                  others. Generally a mean spirited and dishonest                         action.

Shiwnadzewen            verb describing the above actions of a person                           like that. (Shiwze: mean, cruel, without mercy)

Gishkteg’gazwen         Judgment! Any action(s) the Spirit/spirits take                         against a person who is bad or acting contrary                          to what is believed and embraced by a like-                          minded group. This is thought to include                                    witchcraft of any kind and any mean actions that                         are thought out and carried out against another.

                        The old people used to tell us when a person

                        knowingly starts out on the wrong path and keeps

                        going down that way, it is like a person who                            grabs the top of a small sapling and bends it                           all the way to the ground, then lets it go,

                        whereupon it springs back at him/her slapping

                        with full fury at that person again and again.

                        From this story, they would tell us the Spirit’s

                        word or judgment is “springy”.

Gemazhechkewen          Sovereignty! Usually refers to the sovereignty                          of the Spirit!

Yanshitmawat            they became discouraged

Shiwze                  he/she is fierce/mean/cruel

Shiwzik                 they are fierce/mean/cruel

Gzhiptem                you are hard headed

Gzhiptemwik             they are hard headed

Gzhiptemwenen           hard headedness/stubborn-ness,           

                        usually referring to a state of being;

                        that of being stiff necked, beyond reasoning and                        usually of an impassable nature; very stubborn.

Gdemages                you are poor

Gdemagzewen             a state of being poor and not realizing how poor                        one can be. Said to be without mercy, thus                              without love, humility, truth, honesty, wisdom,                         bravery and respect; even self respect.

Widoktadwen             that sense of community, togetherness, that                             innate sense of tribalism that permeates a group                        that one can sense long before they can                                verbalize on it. It has a sense of love and                               belonging that others who do not have it can                               feel with their spiritual centers; the soul,                               spirit, and body each have the (5) senses active                        within them;

                        touch, taste, smell, feel, hear and more.

Widoko                  to interact, commune with; usually on all                               levels when used in a spiritual context.

Gambojek                those that passed away, that walked on, those                           that died.

Gambot                  he/she who died or walked on.

Nbowen                  to pass from the scene, to walk on, but in                              spiritual application, it has to do with dying                          out to the self, so the gete neyaw can live.                          i.e., the real man/woman self in all of us. It                             is said in the old days, this concept was taught                         to all young boys and girls who were going out                           to vision quest. (mkedekewen).

                        Young people were taught to allow old habits to                         die out so the real self could live and be                              invigorated with a new heart, soul, spirit so as                        to acquire new habits pursuant to the teachings                        of the early neshnabek.

Gode Bodewadmik ngotek

GODE BODÉWADMIK

Peoples’ of the Three Fires—-Nswé Énaskwenéjek Bémadsejek..

Ode ggéte yajmownenan Bodéwadmi éajmegwset gapinténdek ode kiywonan mine

zhechkéwen—

madmowen, mishkwoswen mine édbanawat jak she gégo bémadsimgek ga wje

zhabwiwat gwij Bodéwadminanek mine ga wje mno majishkawat…

Bodéwadmik.

Bnewi shna Bodéwadmik byé she kgéndagwsik ékewabdemwat i shkwedé.

Kgish mingomen ode éwi épaméndmego mine éwi kewabdemgo énakwnek i shkwedé.

Mégwétsek shna ébmosémgek bmadsewen ode gbyé zhechkémen.

Kgi wij msénmomen géga she nasap zhechkéwen, ézheshmowen mine géte yajmownen

Gode gé winwa Wjibwék mine Odawak.  Isha gode ga she nswabéwsewat,  Nswé

Énaskwenéjek Bémadsejek.

Oje Bodéwadmi gimanye éwi kewabdek i shkwedé.  Gode gé winwa Odawak éwi

Kewabdemwat ode shna ashtongen.  O wje Wjibwé éwi kewabdemwat ode géte

Zhechkéwen gi she minaye.

The Great Migration.

Ode Bodéwadmi naké Neshnabé ga wje kche bmosét.

Ode Géte Bodéwadmi ina Bémadzeniyek,

Our great Potawatomi Nation,

Mine ni ina wémowen

And our National Language.

Bnewi shna gi Bodéwadmik gi manék ngoji na nishwabtek shech nyanen segos gi yawik.

Ngoji na nswéo wabtek midaswak kiwések ode Ki ga je ték gde odanmenanen shi kche

Mbesen éje ték.

Nenwék ménsabek shna gishe kgénmegomen.

Énibek pi i 1632-1634 gnebech Neshnabék gi wabmewan Jean Nicolet, o ngot

Wémtegoshi, éje wi o gipa ndene’an wa je ashtongéwat gode Wémtegoshik shi

Wéj bgeshmok wje igwan she kche Mbesnak.

Ije géwi ode pi Neshnabék nekmek égi pabmadsewat mine égi wépnshonadégwsewat.

Jak shna békanek gi ne yawen.

Égi widokwawat node Kchemokmanen wa je ashtonmadwat na gégo.

Éje shna gégpi égi ne panmotwaygo gi Kchemokmanek jayék shna ode she ashtongen.

Kgi wij ga botwémen émigatéwat.

Ije na mina winwa éne mno majishkawat égi bgej wébnegoygo.

Iw je égi wéb nshonajkeseygo.

Nekmek shna gishenashagomen.

I yé i ga wje byéwat ibe Kche gaminak gode Neshnabék.

Hau, Mégwa ode Kche bmoséwen ga je zhechkéwat gode Neshnabék.

O wje Neshnabé gi bsedwawan o wse gapayajmot égi wjektémwat ni

wde odanmewan ga tégen shi kche gmik.  Wéjmokék wjeyigwan ode

gdekimnan.  Ije shna wébawnetwat wej bgeshmok wjeyigwan.

Éndenemowat na wa je dawat.  Ije gi Bodéwadmik, Odawak, mine Wjebwék

Wéjbgeshmok égi she nodegwséwat.  Ije mine Wéjgzhaték wika she shi é i dogma i

Lake Michigan (Kche Mishigami) ga je wshegéwat gi wje Bémadsejek shi éje ték

Ni kche mbesen, bnewi shna byé nwatotmonawa iw se ga byé ishwé bsewat shi égi

byé nodegwséwat.  Jak she ngemownen,  yajmowen mine mesnebyégatek gi yapjech

gadé ode éyaj jegaték.

Onwé she gagish bgemodégwseyak,  pené shna ngoji ngi pamadsemen.

Éje mno giwséwnegék ngi zhyamen mine noj Wéj gzgaték wjeyigwan

Bgwejbsheke éndowabmeget.

Wasé she bmeséwen….

1600 égi yawek Bodéwadmik gidneswek Wéjksenyak wjeyigwan ode Mishigami

(Michigan).  Gode je Ontario (Wgemakwékiwen) Neshnabék,  wadokwajek ni

Wémtegoshiyen gi ndo mkemgomen gde odananen.   1630 ewéb yawek égi wéb

wjektemgo gadnesgo.   Ashi je she anjimen Wéjbgeshmok wjeyigwan i Lake Michigan,

(Kche Mishigami) nash sheshi Wéjksenyak Wisconsin. (Oshekanseng)

1665 égi yawek,  jayék Bodéwadmik gidawék shi Wisconsins’ Door Peninsula,

(Oshekanseng Wékamigawen), Wéjmokék wjeyigwan shi Bojikwek (Green Bay) éje ték.

Weyeshi ga je dnesgo nash she 1685 éne yawek. Iw je pi gode Wémtegoshik mine Kche

Mbesiniyek  (Algonquin) égi ne shewébnawét ni Iroquoisiyen néyap she shi New York.

1760 égi yawek ibe Wéjksenyak Indiana mine nanawi i Illinois gashe majishgaygo.

1807 Kchemokmanek égi wép mkemgoygo node gdekimnanen.   Ije shna nishwabdek

nshech nyanoponéyawek égi ne apje gajnéwak i ke tso gaj dnesgo.  Nsewi i 1834 mine

1842 Bodéwadmik égishowjegaswat ibe Wéjbgeshmok wjeyigwan i Mississippi Zibe

éshenekadék. Shkwedéniyek mine gi Ksenyaniyek éshigé winwa Council Bluffs

Wéjgzhaték mine Wéjbgeshmok shi Iowa. Gi wje mtegwaki Bodéwadmik éshi

gishowjegaswik Wéjmokék wje yigwan i Kansas.

Ngom wi gode Shishibéniyek Wéjgzhaték i Oklahoma édawat, winwa shna gimje

Gishpnedonawa i wdekimwa. Gode géwinwa Ksenyaniyek Wisconsin édneswat, mine

gode Shkwedéniyek Kansas gi shkwiwek. Mine shna anet Bodéwadmik jo gimajsik.

Éshi shna ni kche mbesen éje temgek dneswek mine shi Indiana.  Éshi shna Wéjksenyak

Michigan dneswek géwinwa gi Hannahville Bodéwadmik.  Ibe  je Wéjksenyak Ontario,

Canada édnesjek éshi shna gi dgwe bi gaswek Walpole Island,  Stoney Point First

Nations ésh nekaswat.

Mégwa she ode dpenéwen myéwés….

Éshke wépsek ni 1800’s,  Bodéwadmik wde kimwa égi nénmewawat ni United States

government.  Gagish je gadék i 1833 treaty moshek she gi Bodéwadmik ibe

gishenashkegaswik Wéjmokék wjeyigwan i Mssissippi.

Gi manék gi gambojek kchetene she égi bmodégwse’awat Wéjbgeshmok wjeyigwan.

Ije ode éshe gkénjegadék i Tpenéwen Myéwés.  Manék Bodéwadmik gi gambowék

ét tso gishgek.  Ode gésha yajmowen étownangek,  gode gde msabemnanek

gitkwébjegaswék she dabyanek. Jo gi shemgosiwan mine jo mbish gi mnekwésinawa

bama she mine wane je gbeshwat.

Anet géwinwa gi shagwénmowek ngoji éwi she nodegwséwat, ishna égi swébwèwat éwi

bwa njegaswat.  Anet Wéjksenyak wje yigwan gi nodegwsik Canada éshe nekadék. 

Mine ge anet Mexico gi she nodegwséwék.  Gode Shishibéniyek weyéni

wdenwémagnewan gi Mshkwedéniyek gi widokwawat…..

Nation to Nation…….

**Mégwétso shna gode Neshnabék mine ode United States government treaties wdetonawa.

Bodéwadmik je wshe mamo manétowat ni treaties. Jo wi ode state mine édnesgo

governments da je yajbiméwat.

Ode je 1883 treaty shegagonak,  ngoji ga je shebyémego ni gdekimnanen Wéjmokék

wjeyigwan i Mississippi gatégen.   1807 je wishe pi ga wép wébnemgo nigdekimnanen.

Ije shna gapij wébnemgo gabmesémek i nishwatso nsech nyanopon.  (25) Babgéji I

gdekimnan égi mkemgoygo.           

Wgi dapnanawa gode gnigansimnanek mégwé tso node treaties.  Iw je ganéndmowat

bwamshe jak nge toygo ode éshe bmatséygo.  Nangotgen gé weye gi nigansikase.

Jo weye wéwéne gi nsetsin na tso ga she nshonatseygoygo.

Mégwa shote gdiymen…….

Ode ngom sovereign nations éyawgoyak,  mamo nétem she waje mnobmadseygo,

wa je mishkwesyak mine wa je mnowiyak ébodéwadmiyak.  Natso node wa je

wjitmagwsewat gode debéndagwsejek wé je majishkak ode tadiwen mine anet gégo

shna wa je shonyakeygo.  Iw géshe jayék étoygo wa je mikjéwiwat gode bémadsejek

ode shkongenek mine weye wa je mikjéwit……

Ngom wi Bodéwadmik kche majishkané ni wde odanmowan.  Témget gé wa je

wénpeshtowat na éwi mno bmadsewat,  wa je na adsewat mine wabtawan wa je

bménjegadék ibe Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health and Wellness Center. Wéngwéndek

égi yawek gi gishjegadéwat.  Ishe géwi i Penojéwgemek mine i Penojéwskongemek, ibe

penojéyek éje kewabdemwat shi. Nomye égi wzhegéwat i kche tadiwgemek ibe kche

myéwen, route 40 éshe nekadék.

Wa je mno majishkawat weshkgejek mine shna mikjéwiwen.  Kékyajek éje bmengaswat

témget mine shna weshkgejek wa je mikjéwiwat mine wa je mno majishkawat. Shech

kadénon wigwamen Firelake Wellness Center wa je wjitmowygo bémadsejek.  

Mine ni ina wémowen…..

And a National Language…..

Bémadsejek émsanmowat zheshmowen……

Anwe she nangotgen jo gdébwétatsimen anet kedownen éshe gigtok,

Zheshmowen je wishe témget mesénmowat Bodéwadmik, Algonquian zheshmowen

yawen géga she Wjebwémwen mine Wdawak éntakwék.

Mine gode anet Algonquian mowen éshe giktojek Gadnesjek she Wéjbgeshmok

wjeyigwan she ni Kche mbesen éje ték Menomnik, Kigaboyek, Meskwakieniyek,

Mine gi Miamniyek. Gode je gi debéndagwsejek shi nswéskwéte mine gi anet

nanawigwan Algonquianiyek shenkaswek, wa je pkangabowat gi Wéjmokék

wjeyigwan édnesjek shi kchegmik.  Ji gi i ni mbesen gode anet shi gidneswek,

Wéjgzhaték wjeyigwan ga nadwésimjek Wimbyégok mjik i Wisconsin éyawek.

Mine Wéjmokék wje yigwan égi ga iroquomejek Huron Wéjksenyak wjeyigwan i

Georgian Bay gi dneswek (Mbesiniyek).

Neshnabék Wnago….

Bnewi shna égi yawek…

Wigwamen shna ngi damen, giwseyak mine shna éktegéyak shi nde odanmenanen.

Mdamnek, kwésmanen, mine séma ngi kteganamen énibek.

Édgwagék ngi giwsémen, seksi wiyas émawjetoyak.  Bijbonagnen ngi yomen

égwdemojgéyak émnomek.  Kwéwék gi ktegéwek épij giwséwat gi nenwek mine shna

émikanawat mig neshnabén.

Pené wi she byé kchenéndagwsik mesodanek mine shna meshomsek, jayék sheshe ode

nagotwen Gshekwsénanek, gsheshémnanek kitawsenanek,

jayék shna gi dbandik.  Bojgena weye éweshayet éshe géwi nasap ga néndagwset.

Gode gé penojéyek ékenomagwsewat,  Jo wi she ni wmesodanwan gi gnemakwsiwan,

jayék she shi debandagwsejek gi wdetanjegéwek….

Neshnabék Ngom…….

Ngom éshe bmadsiygo…..

Bodéwadmik dneswek shi Potawatomie County, Shawnee, Oklahoma mine jak shna

ngoji.  Éskonowéjek gdeshe mikjéwimen,  businesses, tadiwen mine jak shna gégo.

Manék shna makjéwitmowat wa je mno majishkaygo mine wa je mno bmadsewat

Bodéwadmik.

Wéwéne shna wigwamen ngom gde damen, dabyan gda bje’amen épamadsiygo.

Basksenen gde yowmen égiwséygo,  jo wi mégwa o mtegwab.  Manék shna gawséjek

mine gwedmojgéjek,  jo je wishe apje éwi yojgaték i Neshnabé jiman.

Nomye shna énadagwek jo bidek gitasnon mbish mine jo kitosimen mnedo shkwedé.

Éshkem she ne wéndon éje daygo, éshna épij wshegawat…..

Anwe she gégo washe wénpenek gdetomen, abtek shna gwi nagwdomen ode gashe

Bgetnegoygo.   Éwi wdetandemgo ode gashe mingoygo mine gode mnedok.

Locatives, verbs and such

Locatives 

In Potawatomi, you can take a noun and turn it into a “locative.”  The meaning of the “locative” form can range from “at the ____”, “in the ____”, “on the ___”,”near the ___”, “by the _____”, etc.  There are other words that give specific locations.

Noun                                                 Locative

Dopwen (table)                               Dopwenek

Wawabmowen (mirror)               Wawabmonek

Mbagen (bed)                                 Mbagnek

Wigwam (house)                            Wigwamek

Dabyan (car)                                    Dabyanek

Waséjgen (window)                      Waséjgenek

Taswen (closet or cabinet)          Taswenek

Shkemot (bag)                                Shkemotek

Gokbenagen (basket)                    Gokbenagnek

Shkwadém (door)                          Shkwadémek

Mbes (lake)                                      Mbesek

Zibi (river)                                        Zibik

Mtegwaki (forest)                          Mtegwakik

Shkwengen (reservation)            Shkwengenek

Odan (town)                                    Odanek

Tkep (spring)                                   Tkepik

Gtegan (garden)                             Gteganek

Negatives

Some words to express “no” in Potawatomi are:

            No                                           Cho

            No way                                  Cho wi

            Impossible                            Chomamda

            Not yet                                  Chomshe

            Never                                     Cho wika

            Nothing                                 Cho gégo

            No one                                  Cho weye

            Nowhere (anywhere)       Cho ngoji

When using this word with verbs, use a “si” with the verb if the verb itself is negative (to express don’t or not).

Examples:

            Cho ngi wisnesi                               No, I didn’t eat

            Chomshe ngi wisnesi                    No, I didn’t eat yet

            Chomamda nwi byasi ngom       I can’t come today (it’s impossible)

            Cho gégo ngi zhechkési                I didn’t do anything

            Cho weye gi nibwesi ibe               No one stood there

            Cho ngoji ngi zhyasi                      I didn’t go anywhere

For verbs that have a suffix (we, y’all, and they), the “si” goes before the suffix.

            Cho ngi wisnesimen                       No, we (-) didn’t eat

            Chomshe ngi majisimen               We (-) haven’t left yet

            Chomamda gwi nim’edisimen    We (+) can’t dance (it’s impossible)

            Chomamda gwi bmadgésim        You all can’t swim (it’s impossible)

            Cho wika migadisik                        They never fight

Types of Verbs

Animate Action Verbs – Independent Indicative

Simply put, this is the one subject, one verb sentence.  I go, I walk, I run.  This basic pattern is one that you will need to recognize as we go forward.

Independent Indicative Verbs – The Short Form

            Nin (I)                         N + verb

            Gin (you)                  G + verb

            Win (he/she)           verb

            Ninan (we – )            N + verb + men

            Ginan (we + )           G + verb + men

            Ginwa (you pl.)       G + verb + m

            Winwa (they)          verb + k

Verbs that end in “é” are the most common and the easiest to work with:

            Ngiwé                        I go home

            Ggiwé                        You go home

            Giwé                          He/she goes home

            Ngiwémen                We (-) go home

            Ggiwémen                We (+) go home

            Ggiwém                    You (pl.) go home

            Giwék                        They go home

“I” verbs are formed in this example:

            Nmikchéwi               I work

            Gmikchéwi               You work

            Mikchéwi                  He/she works

            Nmikchéwimen      We (-) work

            Gmikchéwimen      We (+) work

            Gmikchéwim           You (pl.) work

            Mikchéwik               They work

“O” verbs are formed as in this example:

            Nked                          I say

            Gked                          You say

            Kedo                          He/she says

            Nkedmen                  We (-) say

            Gkedmen                  We (+) say

            Gkedom                    You say (pl)

            Kedwik                      They say

Here are some irregular verbs:

            Nzhya                        I go

            Gzhya                        You go

            Zhyé                           He/she goes

            Nzhyamen                We (-) go

            Gzhyamen                We (+) go

            Gzhyam                    You (pl.) go

            Zhyék                         They go

            Nbya                          I come

            Gbya                          You come

            Byé                             He/she comes

            Nbyamen                  We (-) come

            Gbyamen                  We (+) come

            Gbyam                      You (pl) come

            Byék                           They come

            Ndodma                    I smoke

            Gdodma                    You smoke

            Wdemé                     He/she smokes

            Ndodmamen           We (-) smoke

            Gdodmamen           We (+) smoke

            Gdodmam                You (pl.) smoke

            Wdemék                   They smoke

Nwisen                      I eat

            Gwisen                      You eat

            Wisne                        He/she eats

            Nwisnemen              We (-) eat

            Gwisnemen              We (+) eat

            Gwisnem                  You (pl.) eat

            Wisnik                       They eat

            Njibtep                      I sit

            Gjibtep                      You sit

            Jibtebe                       He/she sits

            Njibtebmen              We (-) sit

            Gjibtebmen              We (+) sit

            Gjibtebem                You (pl) sit

            Jibtebwak                 They sit

            Nnibwe                     I stand

            Gnibwe                     You stand

            Nibwe                        He/she stands

            Nnibwemen             We (-) stand

            Gnibwemen             We (+) stand

            Gnibwem                  You (pl.) stand

            Nibwek                      They stand

            Nbos                          I ride

            Gbos                          You ride

            Bose                           He/she rides

            Nbosmen                  We (-) ride

            Gbosmen                  We (+) ride

            Gbosem                    You (pl.) ride

            Boswik                       They ride

Additional suffixes…

-wak, -wek, and –wik often appear at the end of Win and Winwa verb forms. 

Animate Descriptive Verbs

These are often a surprise to learners, because most of these verbs would be considered adjectives in English.  They are verbs of being in a state of something.  Here are some examples of Verbs that describe the state of being of an Animate Subject:

  1. Bkedé                                                To be Hungry
  2. Gashknabagwé                               To be Thirsty
  3. Mbiwé                                               To be Wet
  4. Kébigwé                                            To be Blind
  5. Dépseni                                             To be Full (of food)
  6. Bigéje                                                 To be Cold
  7. Wizhge                                              To be Strong (physical)
  8. Mgegeno                                          To be Large
  9. Gachiye                                             To be Small
  10. Békadze                                            To be Calm/Patient
  11. Zegze                                                 To be Afraid
  12. Yabyétze                                           To be Lazy
  13. Bmadze                                             To be Alive
  14. Zhewébze                                         To happen to someone
  15. Gkadze                                              To be Rich
  16. Gdemagze                                        To be Poor
  17. Ninoze                                               To be Weak
  18. Mishkweze                                       To be Strong (emotional/spiritual)
  19. Minwewze                                       To be Ambitious/Hardworking
  20. Mamkaze                                         To be Surprised
  21. Kyébatze                                           To be Naughty/Foolish
  22. Ntagze                                               To be Sad
  23. Shkadze                                            To be Angry
  24. Nodagwze                                        To be Noisy
  25. Akwadze                                           To be Anxious

Verbs 1 – 9 are formed more like Animate Action Verbs, while verbs 10-25, ending with –ze, have their own unique conjugation pattern. 

            Nbekté                                  I am hungry

            Gbekté                                  You are hungry

            Bkedé                                    He/she is hungry

            Nbektémen                          We (-) are hungry

            Gbektémen                          We (+) are hungry

            Gbektém                               You all are hungry

            Bkedék                                  They are hungry

            Ngashknabagwé                 I am thirsty

            Ggashknabagwé                 You are thirsty

            Gashknabagwé                   He/she is thirsty

            Ngashknabagwémen        We (-) are thirsty

            Ggashknabagwémen        We (+) are thirsty

            Ggashknabagwém             You all are thirsty

            Gashknabagwék                 They are thirsty

            Nbigéj                                    I am cold

            Gbigéj                                    You are cold

            Bigéje                                     He/she is cold

            Nbigéjmen                           We (-) are cold

            Gbigéjmen                           We (+) are cold

            Gbigéjem                              You all are cold

            Bigéjek                                  They are cold

            Ngachi                                   I am small

            Ggachi                                   You are small

            Gachiye                                 He/she is small

            Ngachimen                           We (-) are small

            Ggachimen                           We (+) are small

            Ggachim                               You all are small

            Gachiyek                               They are small

-ze Verb Conjugation

When the first sound in a double consonant is muted, that means that they are blended together so the second sound is prominent.  If a word ending with a vowel comes before that word, you hear both sounds clearly.

            Nbmades                                          I am alive

            Gbmades                                          You are alive

            Bmadze                                             He/she is alive

            Nbmadsemen                                  We (-) are alive

            Gbmadsemen                                  We (+) are alive

            Gbmadsim                                        You all are alive

            Gbmadzik                                         They are alive

            Nshkades                                          I am angry

            Gshkades                                          You are angry

            Shkadze                                            He/she is angry

            Nshkadsemen                                 We (-) are angry

            Gshkadsemen                                 We (+) are angry

            Gshkadsim                                       You all are angry

            Shkadzik                                           They are angry

            Ntages                                               I am sad

            Gtages                                               You are sad

            Tagze                                                 He/she is sad

            Ntagsemen                                       We (-) are sad

            Gtagsemen                                       We (+) are sad

            Gtagsim                                             You all are sad

            Gtagzik                                              They are sad

            Ngedmages                                      I am poor

            Gedmages                                        You are poor

            Gdemagze                                        He/she is poor

            Ngedmagsemen                             We (-) are poor

            Ggedmagsemen                             We (+) are poor

            Ggedmagsim                                   You all are poor

            Gdemagzik                                       They are poor

Other orders…

            Negatives

            Cho ntagzesi                                    I’m not sad

            Cho nshkadzesi                               I’m not angry

            Cho she yabyétzesi o                     He/she is really not lazy

            Cho ngekadzesimen                      We (-) are not rich

            Cho gi kyébatzesik gnijansek      Your children were not naughty

            Participles

            Bémadzet                                         The living one

            Bémadsejek                                     The living ones (people)

            Békadzet                                           The calm one

            Békadsejek                                       The calm ones

            Békdét                                               The hungry one

            Békdéjek                                           The hungry ones

            Kyébatzet                                         The naughty ones

            Kyébatsejek                                     The naughty ones

            Conjuncts

            Gi migadiwik gi bémadsejek égi nshkadsewat

                        Those people were fighting that were angry

            Gi nshkadzik gi bémadsejek égi migadiwat

                        Those people were angry who were fighting

            Odanek nwi zhyamen éwi kyébatsiygo

                        We (-) will go to town to be naughty

            Bmadgé o gigabé égmegishek éwi wizhget

                        That boy swims everyday to be strong (physically)

Text Box: N + verb 
G + verb
Verb 
N + verb + men
G + verb + men
G + verb + m
Verb + k
Conjugation of verbs ending in -wé and yé

Giwé – to go home

Wébiwé – to run away

Mnekwé – to drink

Giskonyé – to get undressed

Biskonyé – to get dressed

Ngiwé            N + giwé                    I go home

Ggiwé            G + giwé                    You go home

Giwé              Giwé                          He/she goes home

Ngiwémen    N + giwé + men       We– go home

Ggiwémen    G + giwé + men       We+ go home

Ggiwém        G + giwé + m            Y’all go home

Giwék            giwé + k                     They go home

Nwébiwé                              N + wébiwé              I run away

Gwébiwé                              G + wébiwé              You run away

Wébiwé                                Wébiwé                    He/she runs away

Nwébiwémen                      N + webiwé + men             We- run away

Gwébiwémen                      G + wébiwé  + men            We+ run away

Gwébiwém                          G + wébiwé + m                  Y’all run away        

Wébiwék                              wébiwé + k                           They run away

Ngiskonyé                N + giskonyé                        I get dressed

Ggiskonyé                 G + giskonyé                        You get dressed

Giskonyé                   giskonyé                               He/she gets dressed

Ngiskonyémen        N + giskonyé + men           We- get dressed

Ggiskonyémen        G + giskonyé + men           We+ get dressed

Ggiskonyém             G + giskonyé + m                Y’all get dressed

Giskonyék                 giskonyé + k                         They get dressed

What do these mean?

Nmnekwé

Biskonyék    

Nwébiwémen

Ggiskonyémen

Ggiwém ne?

Mnekwék

Gbiskonyé ne?

Nmnekwémen

Wébiwék gi nemoshek

Gmnekwé ne?

Ggiwémen

Answers:

Nmnekwé                                         I am drinking/I drink

Biskonyék                                         They are getting dressed/they get dressed

Nwébiwémen                                  We- are running away/we- run away

Ggiskonyémen                                We+ are getting undressed/we+ get dressed

Ggiwém ne?                                    Are y’all going home?/do y’all go home?

Mnekwék                                         They are drinking/they drink

Gbiskonyé ne?                                Are you getting dressed?/do you get dressed?

Nmnekwémen                                We- are drinking/we- drink

Wébiwék gi nemoshek                 Those dogs are running away

Those dogs run away

Gmnekwé ne?                                 Are you drinking?/do you drink?

Ggiwémen                                        We+ are going home/we+ go home

Understood?

Wne ste tan                                         He/she understands it

                                                            (what is being said)

Gne ste tan ne?                                    Do you understand it?

Wne stotwan                                       He/she understands him/her

Gne sto to ne?                                     Do you understand me?

Gne sto twa ne?                                   Do you understand him/her?

Gne sto twak ne?                                 Do you understand them?

Gne sto ta gwnan ne?                          Does he/she understand us?

Gne sto ta gwnanek ne?                      Do they understand us?

Jo gne ste tos non                                I don’t understand you.

Gne sto tan ne i?                                

Do you understand that?

Gne sto tam ne i?

            Do you people understand that?

Ahau, nse tem ok ode

            Ok, understand this!

Ne sto tan

            I understand!

Ne sto tamen

            We understand! (excl.)

Gne sto tamen

            We understand! (incl.)

Gne sto tamen ne?

            Do we understand? (incl.)

Jo, gne ste to snon

            I don’t understand you.

Gne sto twa ne?

            Do you understand him/her?

Gne sto towem ne?

            Do you people understand me?

Gne sto twen

            I understand you.

Nse ta gwse

            He/she is understandable!

Gne ste townem

            I understand you people.

Jo, gne ste to wso nem.

            I don’t understand you guys.

Gi gne ste tam ne ga wje yajmoawat gi kékyajek wnago

            Did you understand what those elders told the people yesterday?

Gne sto twam ne ga wje kedyan

            Do you all understand what I said?

Gne sto tam ne i nga ket?

            Do you people understand what I said?

Ahau, gse tem ok jayék éktot ode kewézi

            Ok, understand everything this old man says!

Bsetmok

            Listen (all of you)

Ahau, bsetmok jayék éktowat gi nakéndemwajek mine gsetemok jayék i ézhyayen ibe émawjeshnowat gi neshnabék.

            Ok, listen (all of you) to everything these wise ones say to you all and understand all they say when you go over there where those Indians have gathered!

Bno wi pi égi penojéwiyak pené she gi yajmowat ibyé nebgeshmok gi kékyajek.

            Long ago when we were children always those elders spoke to us when evening came.

Bama she pi gwi byé na wat ni kenomagewnen bwamshe ebyat o gatikno.

            They will bring those teachings back before this spotted eagle returns!

Mano gwi zhe wébet mine!

            It will happen again!

Gwi gne sto twak jayék gin wa i byé zhe wébek i

            They will all understand when it happens!