Monday, November 30, 2009

If anyone knows the dates for Midwinter ceremonies from any other longhouse, let us know. Niá:wen

Friday, November 20, 2009

Ronttókha yonkhishothó:kon/hodi'nigohowáne's okíshotso- Wisdom of our ancestors

When the peacemaker was just a little boy and first began to speak, this is what he said.

"Iah teyoyánere toka ón:kwe yáh tha'teyontateriwanorónhkhwa."
"Te' deóyanre' gye:gwa o:gweh te' ta'deyondadrihwanóhkwa."
"It is not good for people to be unkind to one another."
Rononhshonní:ton/Hononhshoní:ton
The Peacemaker


Thursday, November 19, 2009

Tkaya'tagwe'ní:yo ne Onkwehonwehnéha. Importance of Native language

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Importance of Native language. So why is it important? It is a source of identity ("after all you are what you speak."), and it gives you important cultural ways of thinking and looking at the world and your place in it (especially ceremonially). There is also a lot of research that points to language learning, benefitting other academic areas like reading and writing, math and science, as well as cognitive thinking skills. Check out more on this subject at ACTFL.

Deho’de oihwase:? Naho:ten yori:wase? What’s new?

Its taking some time to get going on the blog, mostly because I'm just learning how to do a blog. Just a couple of things to start off. Check out the sites I've posted Language geek which is a free download site for fonts and keyboard layouts. Once downloaded it will allow you to type in any Haudenosaunee language you would like. Its pretty good and works with most email and word processing programs. Anyway check it out!

The other site is the AMO Language commission of Ontario, which is committed to ensuring the "Revitalization, Retention, Maintenance, and Promotion of the 3 major Native language groups of Ontario. Check out the commissioners, see if you recognize anyone.