Learn the Word of the Week

Language Revitalization

As part of revitalizing the Ojibwe Language on the Grand Portage tribal lands, we will be featuring a new Ojibwe word every week. We encourage you to use this word in your workday and hopefully outside of work as well. Check back periodically for new words.

These recordings are provided by Erik Martin Redix (Miskwaa anang), Ojibwe Language Coordinator, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

About Pronunciation:

Ojibwe consonants have a similar pronunciation as English.
Vowels have the following pronunciation:

This week's word: bine (Ruffed Grouse)

Maajitaadaa!

Week of 3/4/2024: Maajitaadaa! (Let’s get started!)
click on each word to hear it spoken:

• Week of 10/7/2024: bine (Ruffed Grouse)
• Week of 9/30/2024: waatebagaa (there are bright leaves)
• Week of 9/23/2024: dagwaagin (it is fall)
• Week of 9/16/2024: manoominike (he or she is ricing)
• Week of 9/9/2024: gete-odaabaan (old car)
• Week of 9/2/2024: gikinoo’amaagan (student)
• Week of 8/26/2024: aabawaa (it is warm weather)
• Week of 8/5/2024: niimidaa! (Let's dance!)
• Week of 7/29/2024: miinan (blueberries)
• Week of 7/22/2024: wiingashk (sweetgrass)
• Week of 7/15/2024: waawaatesi (firefly)
• Week of 7/1/2024: baashkide (it explodes from heat)
• Week of 6/24/2024: wiigwaasike (she or he is gathering birchbark)
• Week of 6/17/2024: niibin (it is summer)
• Week of 6/10/2024: ginwashkad (the grass is long)
• Week of 6/3/2024: zagimekaa (there are many mosquitos)
• Week of 5/20/2024: bingoshikaa (there is an abundance of black flies)
• Week of 5/13/2024: gitige (she or he is planting or gardening)
• Week of 5/6/2024: zaagigin (it is sprouting from the ground)
• Week of 4/29/2024: noodin (it is windy)
• Week of 4/22/2024: aamiwag (they are spawning)
• Week of 4/15/2024: ziigwan (it is spring)
• Week of 4/8/2024: awan (it is foggy)
• Week of 4/1/2024: wawiyazh-giizhigad (it is trick day – April Fool’s Day)
• Week of 3/25/2024:biiwan (it is a blizzard)
• Week of 3/18/2024: gisinaa (it is cold weather)
• Week of 3/11/2024: waaban (it is dawn)