Thanks to Shannon Dumba, an enthusiastic student of Cree (and my fellow “Rhythm Ratt”) for sharing her how she’s learned the moon’s phases in Cree. She illustrated them with this beautiful collage, she used them in writing an original poem in Cree (for which she’s provided audio), and she even sang them to the tune of “Moon River” to help support her learning. And she’s shared all of it in time for this Friday’s new moon. That’s some impressive dedication from an adult learner, but it also shows some of the variety that teachers – and learners – can use to help reinforce a collection of material like this!
Bravo, Shannon! Thanks for helping us all learn!
| tipiskāwi-pīsim | The Moon |
|---|---|
| ispīhk kā-kāmwātēyimoyān | When I see darkness |
| tipiskāwi-pīsim nikiskisomik | the moon reminds me |
| miyonākwan kiyām ē-tipiskāk | there is beauty in the night |
| ispīhk kā-mōciki-ayāyān | When I am merry |
| tipiskāwi-pīsim kīmwēw ‘nikamo’ | the moon whispers ‘sing’ |
| ispīhk kā-wanisiniyān | When I get lost |
| tipiskāwi-pīsim nikiskisomik | the moon reminds me |
| ē-pimācihoyān | I am on a journey |
| ispīhk kā-mōcikāyāyān | When I feel free [in high spirits] |
| tipiskāwi-pīsim kīmwēw ‘nīmihito’ | the moon whispers ‘dance’ |
| ispīhk nitēh kā-pīkonikātēk | When my heart is torn in two |
| tipiskāwi-pīsim nikiskisomik | the moon reminds me |
| niwāhkōhtēn askiy ēkwa niwāhkōmāwak acāhkosak | I am the earth and the stars |
| ispīhk kā-sakiniskēnak nīcimos | When I am in love |
| tipiskāwi-pīsim kīmwēw ‘ocēm’ | the moon whispers ‘kiss’ |
| ispīhk kā-mēscipayimisoyān | When I feel less than |
| tipiskāwi-pīsim nikiskisomik | the moon reminds me |
| ē-misiwēsiyān. | I am whole |
| ispīhk kā-nēstosiyān | When I am tired |
| tipiskāwi-pīsim kīmwēw ‘aywēpi.’ | the moon whispers ‘rest.’ |
| Conventional English Term | Cree Term (standard spelling) | Cree Term (syllabics) | Literal Translation from Cree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moon Phases | wāskāpayiw ēkwa ākwā-acinākohisow tipiskāwi-pīsim | ᐚᐢᑳᐸᔨᐤ ᐁᑿ ᐋᒁ ᐊᒋᓈᑯᐦᐃᓱᐤ ᑎᐱᐢᑳᐏ ᐲᓯᒼ | the cycle of the moon's changing appearance |
| new moon | oskakocin tipiskāwi-pīsim | ᐅᐢᑲᑯᒋᐣ ᑎᐱᐢᑳᐏ ᐲᓯᒼ | it hangs new |
| waxing crescent moon | ati-wāwiyēsiw tipiskāwi-pīsim | ᐊᑎ ᐚᐏᔦᓯᐤ ᑎᐱᐢᑳᐏ ᐲᓯᒼ | she begins to be round |
| waxing quarter moon | āpihtaw-akocin tipiskāwi-pīsim | ᐋᐱᐦᑕᐘᑯᒋᐣ ᑎᐱᐢᑳᐏ ᐲᓯᒼ | she hangs half suspended |
| waxing gibbous moon | kēkāc wāwiyēsiw tipiskāwi-pīsim | ᑫᑳᐨ ᐚᐏᔦᓯᐤ ᑎᐱᐢᑳᐏ ᐲᓯᒼ | she is almost round |
| full moon | wāwiyēsiw tipiskāwi-pīsim | ᐚᐏᔦᓯᐤ ᑎᐱᐢᑳᐏ ᐲᓯᒼ | she is round |
| waning gibbous moon | kēkāc mēscipayiw tipiskāwi-pīsim | ᑫᑳᐨ ᒣᐢᒋᐸᔨᐤ ᑎᐱᐢᑳᐏ ᐲᓯᒼ | she is almost worn out, gone |
| waning quarter moon | ati-mēstakocin tipiskāwi-pīsim | ᐊᑎ ᒣᐢᑕᑯᒋᐣ ᑎᐱᐢᑳᐏ ᐲᓯᒼ | it is hanging used or burnt up |
| waning crescent moon | ati-mēscipayiw tipiskāwi-pīsim | ᐊᑎ ᒣᐢᒋᐸᔨᐤ ᑎᐱᐢᑳᐏ ᐲᓯᒼ | she is on the way to being gone |
| waning crescent moon | pōni-wāwiyēsiw tipiskāwi-pīsim | ᐴᓂ ᐚᐏᔦᓯᐤ ᑎᐱᐢᑳᐏ ᐲᓯᒼ | she stops being round |
