Anishinaabe Culture & Language

Gichi Onigaming Anishinaabemowin

 
 

Daga Anishinaabemodaa! (Let's Speak Anishinaabemowin!)

About Pronunciation:

Consonants have a similar pronunciation in Anishinaabemowin as English.
Vowels have the following pronunciation:

  • a = the "u" in sun
  • aa = the "a" in father
  • e = the "ay" in day
  • i = the "i" in sit
  • ii = the "ee" in teeth
  • o = the "o" in go
  • oo = the "oo" in tooth
 
Banner showing a sunset behind mountains with text in several languages.
Visitors are greeted at the door in multiple languages, including Anishinaabemowin.

NPS Graphic / GM Spoto

Hear Some Spoken Language

Maajitaan* agwajiing - (Go Outside)

Places

Conversation

Actions

Weather

Transportation

Plants

Animals

*words marked with an asterisk*

*These recordings are courtesy of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

The Ojibwemowin audios you are hearing were provided by Ranger Damon. Damon Gezhiibideg Panek is an enrolled member of the Mississippi Band of White Earth Ojibwe and was a Park Ranger at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Before Gezhiibideg’s family “relocated” to White Earth in the 1860’s, they lived on Madeline Island and in the surrounding area. He currently lives on the Red Cliff Reservation with his family.

 

Cardinal Directions

  • Zhaawan - South
  • Giiwedin - North
  • Waaban - East
  • Ningaabii'an - West

Salutations

  • Aaniin - Hi/Hello
  • Gakina awiya - Everybody/All of you
  • Minogizheb / Minogigizheb / Minogizhebawagad - Good morning (the last one is the whole sentence "it is a good morning")
  • Nimbagosendaan mino-ayaayan noongom. I hope you are doing well today.
  • Giga-waabamin - Bye (me to you)
  • Giga-waabamininim - Bye (me to a bunch of you)
  • Gimiigwechiwi'in - I thank you
  • Gimiigwechiwi'ininim - I thank all of you (plural)
 

 
Line drawing of a swimming beaver holding a leafy branch.
Beaver Coloring Page

NPS Graphic / GM Spoto

Learn More

Coloring pages - interpretive lessons with some Anishinaabemowin

Last updated: October 2, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 426
Grand Portage, MN 55605

Phone:

(218) 475-0123

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