While we’re all in isolation, we’re trying to try to post one video a day from Sol and his fellow Cree teachers. Some from his existing teaching library – and some brand new. Like Sasquatch himself, Solomon Ratt has experience with self isolation. Who better to help out with online Cree lessons for remote learning?
Today, Art Napoleon shares this upbeat greeting tune from his môcikan nêhiyawewin album of Cree-teaching songs for kids (of all ages). This one models basic greetings beautifully, and it’s fun to sing. (You can find the whole album at CD Baby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/artnapoleon).
tânisi mâka: Art Napoleon (northern y-dialect)
tânisi mâka kiya anohc
tânisi mâka kiya anohc
moy nânitaw pêyakwân niya
moy nânitaw pêyakwân niya
miywâsin (miywâsin) ôma (ôma)
miywâsin ôma kîsikaw.
Roughly translated:
How are you today?
Nothing new – same as always, me.
This is a beautiful day.
Dialect notes:
For th-dialect, replace every bolded y with th. Replace every ê with î.
For n-dialect, replace every bolded y with n.
Find a bunch more Cree-teaching songs here: “Songs for Kids“
(About Sol’s shirt: https://creeliteracy.org/2020/03/17/awas-go-away-most-dialects/)
