mitoni kikāwīpaninaw ka-kī-miywēyihtam ōma ē-mamihcimimiht ōhi oskinīkiwa kā-kī-pē-pīhtikwēyit kayās ita nēhiyawēwin kā-kī-kiskinwahamākēt. ēkospī ohci kī-pē-atoskātam nēhiyawēwin. mihcētwāw māna kī-itōtam mistahi kīkwaya kā-kī-atotiht namōya māna ē-nākatēyimiht māka kākikē kī-itōtam mitoni kwayask. kī-miyo-tōtawēw okiskinwahamawākana mīna tahto kā-nēhiyawēcik māna. omasinahikan kā-kī-osīhtāt itwēwina kā-isiyihkātēk mihcēt māna wīcihikowak. nēhiyawēwin kī-pē-kihcēyihtam kākikē.
Our late mother [late Dr Freda Ahenakew] would be happy with the honouring of this young man who came into her Cree class long ago. He has worked for the Cree language ever since. Many times he was asked to do things without recognition, but he always did them fully and properly. He was good to his students and those who spoke Cree. The book that he wrote, called itwêwina, has helped many. All along, he has respected the Cree languag
In Arok’s own words:
On the evening of Friday, November 22, 2024, I was honoured with a 30-year Long Service Award from First Nations University, and a gift of a drum presented by Elders Dennis Omeasoo and Margaret Rockthunder. I was also honoured to be accompanied by niwîkimâkan Jean Okimāsis êkwa nistês Solomon Ratt. Though they are both “retired”, together we three account for about 87 professional years of service at Saskatachewan Indian Federated College/First Nations University, but well over 100 years of working with nêhiyawêwin / nîhithawêwin, mistahi kâ-kistêyihtamâhk.
3 Responses
The work is vital. Congratulations
Thank for the valuable information always that brings healing to my spirit.
Ehe, Mitoni kakike ni apahcitan Itwewina. Meyosin mostahi!