Language Learning
Below you will find oral recordings of Anishinaabemowin and Kanyen’kéha words recorded by Anishinaabe and Kanyen’kehá:ka community members. This will enable you and your students to understand how to properly pronounce the Indigenous words and phrases found in these Learning Bundles. Unless otherwise identified, the Kanyan’kéha words are in the Kenhtè:ke dialect, which is spoken in the Tyendinaga region.
Please note: Simply sharing individual words with students is insufficient in communicating the sophistication of Indigenous knoweldges that connect to relationships with the land and all of creation. To understand the manner in which Indigenous languages enfold and reflect the Indigenous worldview in a more fulsome way we strongly urge you to invite Indigenous community members into your classroom. It is through these rich conversations with community which are supportive of genuine relationship building that Indigenous and non-Indigenous students can truly benefit from learning Indigenous languages. Learning the words below is a starting point not a destination.
*If you have issues listening to the recording, try accessing the page using Google Chrome*
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Plant Species
Names in Anishinaabemowin
- Balsam fir - Zhingob
- Beans - Mashkodiisimin
- Black Ash - Wiisgaak
- Black Earth - Mkadekamik
- Black Walnut Tree - Bagaanaak
- Blackberry - Odatagaagomin
- Blueberries - Miinan
-
Burdock - Mazaan
- Cattail - Apakweyashk
- Cherry - Ookwemin
- Chicory (cornflower) - Mandamin-waabigwan
- Cinquefoil (false strawberry) - Ode’iminaakaajigana
-
Corn - Mandaamin
- Cranberry - Mashkiigimin
- Dandelion - Doodooshaaboojiibik
- Golden Rod - Ajidamoowaanow
- Hickory Nut - Mitigwaabaak-bagaan
- Horsetail - Gizhiibiinashk
- Jack Pine - Wakikaandag
- Juniper - Giizhigaandagizi
- Maple Key - Aninaatig-miinikaan
- Maple Tree - Ininaatig
- Milkweed - Aniniwinsh
-
Moss - Asaakamig
- Mullein - Waaboowaanibag
- Norway Pine - Apakwanagemag
-
Peas - Anijiiminan
-
Pennycress (wild garlic) - Bagwaji’waabi-shigaagowinj
- Plantain - Makakiibag
- Plants - Zaagkii (something is coming through)
-
Poplar - Azaadi
- Prostrate knotweed - Nabagizi-gashka’oozo
- Ragweed (goosegrass) - Nikaishpashkad
- Red Cedar - Miskwaawaak
- Red Oak- Mitigomizh
- Red Osier Dogwood- Miskwaabiiminzh
- Red Willow - Miskwaabiimagoons
- Self-heal - N’noojimo’aa
- Shagbark Hickory - Mitigwaabaak
- Solomon’s seal - Naaniibide’oodegin
- Sow thistle - Bikwak’waabooz
- Spruce - Gaawaandag
- Squash - Wewiinbaanh
- Stinging Nettle - Bazaan
- Strawberry - Ode’imin
- Sugar Maple - Ninaatig
- Sumac - Baakwaanmish
- Tansy - Oshkiniikwebagoons
- Tobacco - Asemma
- Tomato - Gichi-ogin
- Vetch (purple clover) - Miinaande nesoobagak
- White Ash - Baapaagimaak
- White birch - Wiigwaasi-mitig
- White cedar - Waabaagiizhik
- White clover - Waabshkaabgonii nesoobagak
- White oak tree - Wiizhkobi-mitigomizh
- White Pine- Zhingwaak
- Wild carrot/ queen anne’s lace - Bininshi-wazoson
- Wild Raspberry - Miskomin
- Wild rice - Manoomin
- Willow - Oziisigobiminzh
- Yarrow - Ajidamowaanow
Names in Kanyen'kéha
- Balsam fir - Otsò ko:ton *
- Beans - O’sahè:ta
- Black Ash - Ierontáia’ks Ehsa
- Black walnut tree - Tsyohsò:kwak
- Blackberry - Shá:ise *
- Blueberries - Kahrhata’kéha *
- Burdock - Órhote’
-
Cattail -Onó:ta
- Cherry - Ori’kó:wa *
- Chicory (cornflower) -Oròn:ya nikatsi’tsyò:ten
- Cinquefoil (false strawberry) -Wísk na’teyotsi’tsyákhen
- Cranberry - Tó:kwahre *
- Corn - Ó:nenhste
- Dandelion - Nikakonhsá:’a
- Golden Rod - Ostì:nekwar Niyotsi’tsyò:ten
- Hickory nut - Onennóhkara
- Horsetail - Oshonterítsherá
- Jack Pine - Onèn:ta *
- Juniper - Tekanen’takwénhton
- Maple key - Yokawetsherón:te
- Maple Tree - Wáhta
- Milkweed - tsyoranatskà:ra
- Moss - Kanatawakhon Awenráhsa
- Mullein - Kén:reks Aotáhsa’
- Peas - Onékwa *
-
Pennycress (wild garlic) - Kahrhakónha O’nónkseri
- Plantain - Atennénha
- Plants - Kayenthohserahshón:’a
- Poplar - Onerahtón:ta *
- Prostrate knotweed - Japanese raotitsì:tsya (the flower that belongs to the Japaneese)
- Ragweed (goosegrass) - Sha’té:kon na’teyotsi’tsyákhen
- Red Cedar - Onen’tahkwénhton
- Red Oak - Karíhton’
- Red Willow - O’seranekwénhton
- Shagbark Hickory - Onennóhkara
- Solomon’s seal - Teyontyentà:kton
- Sow thistle - Ohnyón:wara
- Spruce - O’sóhkwa
- Squash - Onon’ónhsera *
- Stinging Nettle - Órhehs
- Strawberry - Ken’niyohontéhsha
- Sugar Maple - Wáhta
- Sumac - Taráhkwi’
- Tansy - Otsì:nekwar nikatsi’tsyò:ten
- Tomato - Taméto or Ohiakháhon *
- Tobacco - Oyénkwa
- Vetch (purple clover) - Oharennáhta teyonerahtó:ken
- White Ash - Kanéron o’nón:na *
- White birch - Watenakè:tarons
- White cedar - Yonen’tòren’
- White clover - Teyonerahtó:ken
- White oak tree - Otokénha
- White Pine - Tsyonerahtase’kó:wa
- Wild carrot/ queen anne’s lace - Watatewenní:yo otsíkwa
- Wild Raspberry - Skanekwenh’tará:nen
- Willow - Ó:sé *
-
Yarrow - Teyotsi’tsyarí:’on (flower) / Aró:sen otáhson (root and plant)
*Spellings and pronunciations of these Kanyen’kéha words are derived from Akwesasne Kanyen’kehá:ka community dialect, a sister community to Tyendinaga Kanyen’kehá:ka community.
Bird Species
Names in Anishinaabemowin
- American Goldfinch - Aginjibagwesi
- American Robin - Apichi
- Bald Eagle - Mgizwaash
- Baltimore Oriole - Ozaawaadinimanese
- Black Duck - Ininshib
- Black-Capped Chickadee - Jigajigaaneshiinh
- Blue Heron- Zhaashagi
-
Blue Jay - Jiindiisiw
- Brown Thrasher - Aanak
- Dark-Eyed Junco - Baatezhiiwiish
- Downy Woodpecker - Baapaasenh
-
Duck - Zhiishiib
- European Starling - Moosobineshiinzh
-
Goose - Nika
- Gray Jay or Whiskey Jack - Wiingwiish
-
Hawk - Gekek
- House Sparrow - Oodenaw-bineshiinh
- Mourning Dove - Miimii
- Northern Cardinal - Misko-bineshiinh
- Osprey - Biijigigwane
-
Pigeon - Omiimii
- Pileated Woodpecker - Meme
-
Raven - Gaagaagi
- Red-tailed Hawk - Memeskoniniisiw
- Red-Winged Blackbird - Memiskoningwiigaans
- Redwinged blackbird - Asiginaak
- Rough-legged Hawk - Mishigekek
- Ruby-Throated Hummingbird - Nenookaashiins
- Sharp-shinned Hawk - Boonse
- White- Breasted nut hatch - Zhagashkaandawense
- Wood Duck - Osiimahoonh
Names in Kanyen'kéha
- American Goldfinch- Otsi’nekwáhrha
- American Robin-Tsihskó:ko
- Bald Eagle - Á:kweks
- Baltimore Oriole - Atyaren’ta’kó:wa
- Black-Capped Chickadee - Tsiktsiré:re
- Blue Heron - Kentsyokwaskó:wa
- Blue Jay - Terí:teri
- Dark-Eyed Junko - Othore’kéha
- Downy Woodpecker - Kwitó:kwito
-
Duck - Só:ra
- European Starling - Katsi’tensherahétken
-
Goose - Káhonk
- Hawk - Katsi’tensé:raks
- House Sparrow - Kanatakón:ha
- Mourning Dove - Orí:te
- Northern Cardinal - Onekwénhtara’ nikatsi’tenhserò:ten
- Osprey - Tsiohwatstaka'we *
- Pigeon - Orite’kó:wa
- Pileated Woodpecker - Karontaká:roks
- Purple finch - Ohiyòn:hiyon
- Raven - Tsyo’kawe’kó:wa
- Red-tailed Hawk - Kahrahakón:ha *
- Red-Winged Blackbird -Tsyó:kwaris
- Ruby-Throated Hummingbird - Raónroan
- Tufted Titmouse - Tsiktsiré:re
-
White- Breasted nut hatch -Tekarontahrónhon
*Spellings and pronunciations of these Kanyen’kéha words are derived from Akwesasne Kanyen’kehá:ka community dialect, a sister community to Tyendinaga Kanyen’kehá:ka community.
Other Animal Species
Names in Anishinaabemowin
-
Bear -Mkwa
-
Beaver -Amik
- Black Squirrel - Asanagoo
- Box Turtle - Mooskadoo
-
Caribou -Adik
-
Chorus frog - Giiwedinong Maamiwi-enetaagozid omagakii
- Deer -Waawaashkesh
- Flying Squirrel - Zhagashkaandawe
-
Fox -Waagosh
- Frog - Omagakii
- Garter Snake -Bepeshiginebig
- Green frog - Ozhaawashko-omagakiins
- Grey Squirrel - Misajidamoo
- Groundhog -Akakojiish
-
Leopard Frog -Bgoji gaazhag egidigaakzid omakakii
-
Moose - Mooz
- Mouse - Waabginoojiinh
- Mud Turtle - Mskwaadesiinh
- Muskrat - Wazhashk
- Northern Water Snake - Gaadi-gnebik
- Oppossum -Bengwajishk
- Porcupine - Gaag
- Rabbit - Waabooz
-
Snake - Gnebig
- Snapping Turtle - Mshiikenh
- Soft Shell Turtle - Detebkinaak
- Spider - Esbikenh
- Spring peeper - Shki-minookig-e-naanoondaagziins omagakii
- Squirrel - Adjidmoonh
- Toad - Babiig-omakakii
- Tree Frog - Agoozimagakii
- Turtle - Mkinaak
- Wolf -Mah’iingan
- Wood frog -Mitigo-omagakii
Names in Kanyen'kéha
-
Bear -Ohkwá:ri
- Beaver - Tsyanì:to
- Chorus frog - Rontsharokwátha otskwà:rhe
- Deer -Ohskenón:ton
-
Fox -Tsítsho
- Frog - Otskwà:rhe
- Garter Snake- Otsinonhyahré:na
- Green Frog- Tsikere’táhnyaks
- Groundhog - Anonhwaráweron
- Moose - Ska’nyónhsa
- Mouse - Otsinó:wen
- Muskrat -Anótyen
- Northern Water Snake - Othoro'kéha Oná:to
- Oppossum - Waniheyà:tha
- Porcupine - Anèn:taks
- Rabbit - Kwayén:’a (a cottontail) / Tehahonhtané:ken (a jackrabbit)
- Racoon - Atí:ron
- Snake - Ò:nyare
- Snapping Turtle - Kanyáhten
- Soft Shell Turtle - Ka'nyónhses A’nó:wara
- Spider -Takwa'áhson
- Spring peeper - Kenkwité:ne Tsikere’táhnyaks
- Squirrel - Arò:sen
- Toad - Wahstonhronón:ke Tsikhnennà:taks
- Turtle - A’nó:wara
-
Wolf - Okwáho
- Wood frog - Otskwà:rhe (general word for frog)
Other Words
Names in Anishinaabemowin
- Cedar tea - Giizhik-niibiishaaboo
- Container to collect maple sap - Biskitenaagan
- Fire - Ishkode
- Forest habitat - Mitigwaaking endaat
- Maple/ Sweet Water Ceremony - Ziizibaakodoke Manidooke
- Rocks - Asiniin
- Smudge - Bkwenezige
- Smudge Mix - Bkwenezigan
- Smudging -Bkwenezod
- Snowshoes - Aagamak
- Soil - Aabiooshkine
- Thank You - Miigwech
- The Three Sisters - Niswi nmisenyik
-
Water - Nibi
-
Water Walkers - Nibi Emoseyik (plural) Nibi Emosaawdang (The one who walks for the water)
Names in Kanyen'kéha
- Cedar tea- Onen’takwenhte tí:
- Container to collect maple sap- Kanà:tsyonk
-
Fire - Ó:tsire
- Forest habitat - Kahrhákon Rontyentáhkhwa
- Maple/ Sweet Water Ceremony - Wáhta Tenhontenonhwerá:ton
- Rocks - Onèn:ya
- Science - Sha’oyé:ra
- Smudging -Ayontyen’kwaráhrho
- Snowshoes - Kahwèn:kare
-
Soil - O’kèn:ra
- Thank You -Nyá:wen
- The Three Sisters - Ahsen nikontate’ken:a
- Water - Ohné:ka
- Water Walkers - Ohnekà:ke Wáhtentyes
Moons
Kanyen'kehá:ka Moons
- Midwinter Moon -Sha’tekohserí:hen Wenhnì:tare
- Great Snow Moon - Wata’kerokwaskó:wa Wenhnì:tare
- Sugar/ Maple Moon - Wáhta Wenhnì:tare
- Thunder Moon - Ratiwé:ras Wenhnì:tare
- Planting Moon -Tewayénthos Wenhnì:tare
- Strawberry Moon - Ken’niyohontéhsha Wenhnì:tare
- Green Beans Moon - Orhótsheri Wenhnì:tare
- Corn Moon - Okahseró:ta Wenhnì:tare
- Harvest Moon - Yeyenthókwas Wenhnì:tare
- Food Storing Moon - Yontéhkhwayens Wenhnì:tare
- Hunting Moon - Rontó:rats Wenhnì:tare
- Resting Moon - Watoríhshens Wenhnì:tare
Anishinaabe Moons
- Spirit Moon -Minido Giizis
- Bear Moon -Makwa Giizis
- Sugar Moon -Ziinsibaakwadoke
- Sucker Moon - Namebine Giizis
- Flower Moon -Waawaaskone Giizis
- Strawberry Moon -Ode’min Giizis
- Raspberry Moon -Mskomini Giizis
- Thimbleberry Moon -Datkaagmin Giizis
- Corn Moon -Mdaamiin Giizis
- Falling Leaves Moon -Biinaakwe Giizis
- Freezing Moon - Mshkawji Giizis
- Little Spirit Moon -Manidoo Giizoonhs
- Big Spirit Moon -Manidoo Giizis