Anishinaabemowin

Zhaa azhi Manidoo Kaan Wiigwaasgamig wgii te, Epgishmog nikeyaa gii naakwesin.

Zhaa azhi Ma ni doo Kaan Wiig waas ga mig wgii te, Ep gish mog ni ke yaa gii naak we sin. 

A long time ago, there was a ceremonial wiigwaam that pointed to the west. 

Giini mnookmig, mii zhiwe wgii biindige waat wiigwaasgamigong gonda Anishinaabeg. 

Gii ni mi nook mig, mii zhi we w’ gii biin di ge waat wiig waas ga mi gong gon da A nish naa beg. 

In the Springtime the Anishinaabe people would go in there. 

Niibina wgii biindigewag zhiwe wig waas ga mi gong. 

Nii bi na w’gii biin di ge wag zhi we wiig waas ga mi gong. 

A lot of people would go into the Lodge. 

Giiw nendaanaawaa dash wiigo gegoo wii bindigadoowaat. 

Giiw nen daa naa waa dash wii go ge goo wii biind iga doo waat. 

They forgot to bring something inside. 

Gaawii gii nishiznoo giiw nendmoowaat dawe’igan wii biindigaadoowaat. 

Gaa wii gii nish iz noo giiw nend moo waat da we’ igan wii biin di ga doo waat. 

Everything was wrong when they forgot the drum. 

Gonda Anishinaabeg aapiji gii maaji aanoodziwag. 

Gon da A nish i naa beg gii maa jii aa nood zi wag. 

The People started to become very greedy. 

Nini w’gii madbi jiigi Waabanong Shkwondeming.

Ni ni w’gii mad bi jii gi Waa ba nong Shkon de ming. 

There was a man that sat near the Eastern door. 

Kitchi nini maaba w’gii aawi. Aapiji gii aanoodzi. 

Kit chi ni ni ma aba w’gii aa wi. Aa pi ji gii aa nood zi. 

This man was big. And he was very greedy. 

Niibina mooz wiinin, miinwaa mooz kanan wgii maawngdenwan besha. Gaa go gnigenh wiya w’gii mji aa siin. 

Nii bi na mooz wii nin, miin waa mooz ka nan wgii maawng den wan besha. Gaa go gni genh wi ya w’gii mji aa siin. 

He had all kinds of moose fat, and moose bones laying nearby. He didn’t share it with anyone. 

Maanpii Wiigwaas Gamigong, Miigweta Anishinaabeg w’gii maawng zi waat. Gaa go gegoo w’gii nankiisiiwag. 

Maan pii Wiig was ga mi gong, Miig we ta A nish naa beg w’gii maawng zi waat. Gaa go gegoo w’gii nan kii sii wag. 

In this Lodge, the people were just laying around, and they were not doing anything. 

Maaba Nini besho wodi Waabanong Shkwaandeming w’gaa madbit, aapiji w’gii mji zhawebzi. 

Ma aba Ni ni be sho wodi Waa ban ong Shkwaan de ming w’gaa mad bit, aa pi ji w’gii mji zha web zi. 

The greedy man at the Eastern doorway was mean. 

Maaba Nini, w’gii mko kininjiitam pii giigdad. 

Ma aba Nini, w’gii mko kin in jii tam pii gig dad. 

When this Man spoke, he always shook his fist. 

Mii dash n’goding maawnjidiwaad gonda Anishinaabeg zhi we Manidoo Kaaning, mii wiya w’gii kitchi aawkozid oodenaang.

Mii dash n’god ing maawn ji di waad gon da A nish shin naa beg zhi we Ma ni doo Kaan ing, mii wiya w’gii kit chi aaw ko zid oo de naang.

During one of these ceremonies, someone got very sick in the village. 

Bezhig dash Kwe w’gii zhaa oodi Wiigwaasgamigong endji maawnjidiwaat gonda Anishinaabeg. W’gii maajii naan go niwe Wiikaaneyin.

Be zhig dash Kwe w’gii zhaa oodi Wiig waas ga mi gong end ji maawn ji di waat gonda A nish I naa beg. W’gii maa jii naan go ni we Wii kaa ne yin.

A lady went to the Wiigwaam to get help. It was the sister of the sick person who brought her brother. 

“Nwiikaaneh kitchi aawkozi. Wii nibodig go ginabach.” W’gii kida maaba Kwe.

“Nwii kaa nenh kit chi aaw ko zi. Wii nib o dig go gin a bach.” W’gii ki da ma aba Kwe. 

“My brother is very sick. He is going to die.” This woman said. 

Maaba Nini Waabanong Shkwaandeming nemdabid gii kida, “Gegwaa paamenmishinaang maanpii.” 

Maa ba Ni ni Waa ban nong Shkwaan de ming nem da bid gii ki da, “Geg waa paa men mish i naang maan pii.” 

The Man sitting at the Eastern door said, “Don’t bother us here.” 

Owa Kwe w’gii kida, “Weni dash ge zhich ge yaanh? 

O wa Kwe w’gii ki da, “We ni dash ge zhich ge yaanh? 

The woman said, “What am I suppose to do?” 

Owa dash getchi aanoodzid Nini w’gii kida, “Maan jiidig.” 

O wa dash get chi aa nood zid Ni ni w’gii kida, “Maan jii dig.” 

The greedy man said, “I don’t know.” 

Mii dash maaba Kwe w’gii deb binaad wiikaanenhyin, w’giiw maa jii naad zhiwe ni yaaw sag wiig waas gamigong. W’gii mkog daa jii taa wa dash zhiwe maaba wiikaanenh giizhiitaa shing wii nbod. 

Mii dash ma aba Kwe w’gii deb bi naad wii kaa nenh yin, w’giiw maa ji naad zhi we ni yaaw sag wig was ga mi gong. W’gii mkog daa jii taa wa dash zhi we maaba wii kaa nenh gii zhii taa shing wii nbod. 

She grabbed her brother by the arm, and carried him to the middle of that wiigwaam. Her brother just curled up in a ball to die. 

“Aaniish endyeg? Aaniish endji naadmo siiyeg maaba Nwiikaahnenh? Manidoo Kaan sha nii maanpii aawan. 

“Aa niish end yeg? Aa niish end ji naad mo sii yeg maa ba Nwii kaa nenh? Ma ni doo Kaan sha nii maan pii aa wan. 

What’s wrong with you people? How come you are not doing anything to help my brother? This is suppose to be a ceremony?” 

“Ngoodji maanpii!” gii kida dash owa Nini getchi mjizhiwebzid. 

“Ngood ji maan pii!” gii ki da dash owa Nini get chi mji zhi web zid.

“You get out of here” said that mean man. 

Aapiji dash owa Kwe gii nshkim gon niwe ninwan. Gii maa jii dema. Gii maajiibtoo. Besho oodi Nbiishing gii wo madbi. 

Aa pi ji dash o wa Kwe gii nshkim gon ni we nin wan. Gii maa jii de ma. Gii maa jiib too. Be sho oodi Nbii shing gii wo mad bi. 

The woman got mad by what that man said. She took off crying, She ran off. She went to sit by the water. 

Geskana dash w’gii waabmaan ewaabshkizninit wiigwaasaatigon. Nga daapinaa aanind owa wiigwaas miidash zhiwe ji wiikwepinag Nwiikaanenh pii giin nbod. Mii dash owe o gaa zhichget. 

Ges ka na dash w’gii waab maan e waab shkiz ni nit wig waas aat gon. Nga daa pi naa aa nind o wa wig waas mii dash zhi we ji wiik we pi nag Nwii kaa nenh pii giin nbod. Mii dash o we o gaa zhich get. 

Suddenly she saw a white tree nearby. And she thought, “I am going to get that birch bark, and once my brother dies I am going to wrap him in it. 

Mii dash owe wgaa zhichget. W’gii maajii ogiishkweknaad niwe Wiigwaasan. W’gaa zhichgewaat ko zhaazhi. Kitchi mtigoonhs w’gii nakaaznaawa miinwaa shkode asin miidash wgii bkweknaa’at niwe wiigwaasan. Mii niwe wgaa zhi bkweg nawat newi wiigwaasan zhazhi. Eshkwe ying mitigonhsing w’gii saawan niwe shkode sin, miidash w’gii bkwegnaawat niwe wiigwaasan. Miidash owe pii Mnookmig, me maanji ginog go giizhgad mii pii mino bkweshkaat owa wiigwaas. 

Mii dash o we wgaa zhich get. W’gii maa jii o giish kwek naad ni we Wiig waa san. Mii maan da w’gaa zhich ge waat zhaa zhi. Kit chi mtig oonhs w’gii na kaaz naa wa miin waa shko de a sin mii dash w’gii bkwek naa’at ni we wig waa san. Mii ni we wgaa zhi bkweg na wat ne wi wiig waa san zhaa zhi. Esh kwe ying mi ti gonh sing w’gii saa wan niwe shkode sin iin, mii dash w’gii bkweg na awat ni we wiig waas an. Mii dash o we pii Mnook mig, me maan ji gi nog go giizh gad mii pii mi no bkwesh kaat o wa wig waas. 

This is what she did. She went to that tree and started to cut down the birch bark. What they used to do was to get a long stick, they split the end, and they put a piece of flint in that stick. They would then stick it into the tree and cut lengthwise until it peels off. At Springtime, on the longest day of the year, once you make that cut, the bark just peels off.  

Epiichi wiigwaasket dash maaba Kwe, mii gii moozhaat wiya ginoowaabmigot Waaboozoonhyin gii kitchi ginoowaabmigon. Wgii ginoowaabmaan shgo gayii maaba Kwe newe Waaboozoonhyin. “Gdaa naadmoowaa nago Nwiikaanenh?” Wgii zhoobiingwetaagon dash niwe Waaboozoohyin miidash giin maadjiibtoonid. 

E pii chi wiig waas ket dash maa ba Kwe, mii gii moo zhaat wi ya gi noo waab mi got. Waa boo zoonh yin gii kit chi gi noo waab mi gon. Wgii gi noo waab maan shgo ga ‘yii maa ba Kwe newe Waa boo zoonh yin. “Gdaa naad moo waa na go Nwii kaa nenh?” Wgii zhoo biing we taa gon dash ni we Waa boo zooh yin mii dash giin maad jiib too nid. 

As this woman was peeling off the bark, she felt someone looking at her. A little bunny was staring at her. She looked at that rabbit, and she said, “Can you help my brother?” The rabbit just blinked at her and hopped away. 

Maaba Kwe gii giizhiitaa wiigwaasket. W’gii gezbinaan owe wiigwaas. Miidash wig biish wgii daapnag. Mtigop dash giiw zhitoon miidash gii tkobdoot owe wiigwaas. Miidash ogii maajii oondag owe wiigwaas w’gii maajii oondang oodi Wiigwaasgamigong maawngzanit niwe Wiikaanhneyin. 

Maa ba Kwe gii gii zhii taa wiig was ket. W’gii gez bi naan o we wig waas. Mii dash wig biish w’gii daap nag. Mti gop dash giiw zhi toon mii dash gii tkob doot owe wiig waas. Mii dash o gii maa jii oon dag o we wig waas w’gii maa jii oon dang oo di Wiig was ga mi gong, maawng za nit ni we Wii kaanh ne yin. 

This woman finished gathering the bark. She rolled it up. Then she got a willow. She made string with it and she tied the birch bark. She put it on her shoulder and went back to the wiigwaam where her dying brother was lying. 

Maaba dash Kwe gii toon maanda wiigwaas shiweying niwe Wiikaanenhyin maawngizinid. Wgii ginowaabmigon dash go niwe Niniwan emadbinid zhiwe Waabanong Nnikeyaa. Mii dash maabe Kwe w’gii ginoonaad. “Kii kendaan na gegoo? Kagwetaani miji zhiwebiz?” W’gii naan. W’ga dash gegoo w’gii gosiin, Mii gweta gii maamiijid owe mooz wiinin. 

Maa ba dash Kwe gii toon maan da wiig waas shi we ying ni we Wii kaan enh yin maawng izi nid. Wgii gi no waab mi gon dash go ni we Ni ni wan e mad b nid zhi we Waa ba nong N ke yaa. Mii dash maa ba Kwe w’gii gi noo naad. “Kii ken daan na ge goo? Kag we taa ni miji zhi webiz? W’gii naan. W’ga dash geg oo w’gii gos iin, Mii gwe ta gii maa mii jid o we mooz wii nin. 

The woman put the birch bark roll beside her dying brother. The greedy man at the Eastern door just looked at her. Then the woman said to him. “You know what? You are a really mean man. He did not say anything to her, he just kep eating his moose fat. 

Miidash maaba getchi mjizhiwebzid Nini giinaabid kojiing. “Wiya biyaa.” Gii kida. Kina wiya w’gii kitchi ginoowaabmaa’an niwe biyaanjin. Miidash kitchi geskana w’gii bi biindiget maaba Nini. Aapiji w’gii ginoozi miinwaa aapiji w’gii mdidoon niwi miiwnginan dibaang baaskawaajin. Aapiji niwe miiwnignan w’gg maamiikominaagoziwan. Miinwaa go maaba Nini aapiji go gay’ii wgii maamiikominaawgozi. Niibina mnidoominenhsan w’gii biwan zhiwe baaskang. Aapiji go w’gii maandaaw gi ninii awi. W’gii naaniibawi dash zhiwe Waabanong Shkwaandeming. 

Mii dash maa ba get chi mji zhi web zid Ni ni w’gii naa bid ko jiing. “Wi ya bi yaa.” Gii ki da. Ki na wi ya w’gii kit chi gi noo waab maa’an ni we bi yaan jin. Mii dash ki tchi ges ka na w’gii bi biin di get maa ba Nini. Aa pi ji w’gii gi noo zi miin waa aa pi ji w’gii mdi doon ni wi miiwng i nan di baang baas ka waa jin. Aa pi ji ni we miiwng i nan w’gii maa mii ko mi naa go zi wan. Miin waa go maa ba Ni ni aa pi ji go gay’ii wgii maa mii ko mi naaw go zi. Nii bi na mni doo mi nenhs an w’gii bi wan zhi we baas kang. Aa pi ji go w’gii maan daaw gi ni nii awi. W’gii naa nii bawi dash zhi we Waa ba nong Shkwaan de ming. 

The greedy and mean man looked over to the Eastern Doorway and he said. “Someone is coming.” The people stared at this approaching person. Suddenly this man came into the lodge. He was tall and he had two eagle feathers sticking out from the back of his head. He was very striking. He had beads all over his outfit. He was very handsome. He stood at that Eastern Door. 

Maaba dash Nini getchi mji zhiwebzid w’gii kida, “ Bekaa! Gaawii mamdaa zhinda wii bi biindigeyin! 

Maa ba dash Ni ni get chi mji zhi web zid w’gii kida, “ Be kaa! Gaa wii mam daa zhin da wii bi biin di ge yin! 

The greedy man said, “You are not allowed in here!” 

Maaba dash Nini wgaa bi biindiget w’gii kida, “Wgaa go ginigenh w’gii kendziin epiichiin ii’yaanh. Gaawii w’kii kendziin ge dood maanhmbaa. 

Maa ba dash Ni ni w’gaa bi biin di get w’gii ki da, “W’gaa go gi ni genh w’gii kend ziin e pii chii ii’yaanh. Gaawii w’kii kend ziin ge dood maanh mbaa. 

That Man stood there and he said, ”You don’t know my power, You don’t know what I can do!” 

Miidash maaba getchi mjizhiwebzit Nini w’gaa naat. “Jiibwaa bi biindigeyin, zhinoomooshin ge zhichgembaa.” 

Mii dash maa ba get chi mji zhi web zit Nini w’gaa naat. “Jiib waa bi biin di ge yin, zhi noo moo shin ge zhich gem baa.” 

The greedy man said, “Before you enter this lodge, I want to see your power.” 

Maabaa dash Nini wgaa bi biindiget wgii kida, “Gmidji zhiwebis. Gegwaa pogjiikwishke! 

Maa baa dash Ni ni w gaa bi biin di get wgii kida, “Gmid ji zhi we bis. Geg waa pog jiik wish ke! 

The man with the feathers looked at him and said, “You have a bad attitude, don’t fool with me! 

Maaba dash getchi mjizhiwebzid Nini w’gii oo ginawaabmaan besha miidash wgii gaanjiwebnaat. Miidash maaba Man daawgnini w’gii bagoshkonid kitchi shpiming. Pii dash w’gii daang shing mitakmik w’giiw kitchi jiiwng se aki miinwaa go Nimkiig w’gii mdawewag. “Mii awe epiitchiiyaanh.” W’gii kida. 

Maa ba dash get chi mji zhi web zid Ni ni w’gii oo gi na waab maan be sha mii dash wgii gaan ji web naat. Mii dash maa ba Man daaw gi ni ni w’gii ba gosh ko nid kit chi ship ming. Pii dash w’gii daang shing mi tak mik w’giiw kit chi jiiwng se aki miin waa go Nim kiig w’gii mda we wag. “Mii awe e piit chii yaanh.” W’gii ki da. 

The greedy man looked at him and walked up to him and pushed him. The minute that he touched him, the man with the feathers jumped high up in the air, that when he landed on the ground, the whole ground shook and you could hear thunder in the ground. The man with the feathers looked at the greedy man, and said, ”That’s my power!”

Miidash maaba getchi mji zhiwebizid yaabi w’gii paamenmaasiin niwe. Wiya go maaba iidig kitchi iyaa w’gii nendam. W’gii kendaa’naawaa niwe maawndaagniniwan kitchi aawanid. 

Mii dash maa ba get chi mji zhi we bi zid yaa bi w’gii paa men maa siin ni we. Wi ya go maa ba ii dig kit chi iyaa w’gii nen dam. W’gii ken daa’naa waa ni we maan daawg ni ni wan kit chi aa wa nid. 

The greedy man did not want to push him anymore because he knew this was a great person. 

Miidash w’gii bigidnin wiibiindiget. “Aaniish gonda wiya endji niimtawaasik ninda yaakozinjin? Aaniish gweta endji ginoowaabmiyek? Aaniish endji niim sii yek? Aabiish ode’we ginan? 

Mii dash w’gii bi gid nin wii biin di get. “Aa niish gon da wi ya end ji niim ta waa sik nin da yaa ko zin jin? Aa niish gwe ta end ji gi noo waab myek? Aa niish end ji niim sii yek? Aa biish ode’we gin an? 

As soon as the man with the feathers entered, he said, “How come nobody is dancing for thuis sick person laying on the ground? How come you are just looking at him? How come nody is dancing? Where are the drums? 

Gaaye wiya gii kendziin waa zhitchget. Mii gweta w’gii nook kiwebwaat. 

Gaa ye wi ya gii ken dziin waa zhitch get. Mii gwe ta w’gii nook ki web waat. 

Nobody knew what to do. They sat there with their heads down. 

“Niimtoowig maaba bemaawnggizad. Niimtoowig jiwii animinoyaat “wgii kida  maaba MaandaawgNini. Gaa’ye dash wiya gegoo w’gii zhichgesii. 

“Niim too wig maa ba be maawng gi zad. Niim too wig naa ji wii ani mi no yaat.” Wgii ki da maa ba Maan daawg Ni ni. Gaa’ye dash wi ya ge goo w’gii zhich ge sii. 

“Dance for this person on the ground, Dance so that he can get well again.” Said the handsome man with the feathers. Nobody di anything. 

Miidash maaba Nini getchi mjizhiwebzid w’gii naabit kojiing. “Nishke! W’odi wiya biyaa!” Kina wiya w’gii naabi wodi. 

Mii dash maa be Ni ni get chi mji zhi web zid w’gii naa bit ko jiing. “Nish ke! W’odi wi ya bi yaa!” Ki na wi ya w’gii naa bi wodi. 

The greedy man looked to the Eastern doorway, and said, “Look, someone is coming!” and everyone looked over.

Mii gegwa w’gii bi biindiget. Ma’ingan dash awa. Ma’ingan w’gii abi biindige. Mii dash go zhiwe Niniwan emaawngzanjin naanaawsag w’gii bagoshkinit maaba Ma’ingan. 

Mii geg wa w’gii bi biin di get. Ma’ingan dash a wa. Ma’in gan w’gii abi biin di ge. Mii dash go zhi we Ni ni wan emaawng zan jin naa naaw sag w’gii ba gosh ki nit maa ba Ma’ingan. 

Something came walking in and it was a wolf. A wolf came in the door., and when the wolf came in it jumped right over that man laying in the middle. 

Mii dash zhiwe zoowaanigong w’gii njibdenig pskowginesewin maaba ma’ingan. Mii dash maanda pskowkinesewin w’gii biinjbidening w’dooning maaba Wiikaanenh bemaawngizad mtakmik. Miidash go we weyib maaba waanibopa w’gii bsagwiinjgaabwit. Mii gegwa w’gii mina nowgizid we’yib. 

Mii dash zhi we zoo waa ni gong w’gii njib de nig pskow gi ne se win maa ba ma’ingan. Mii dash maan da pskow ki ne se win w’gii biinj bi de ning w’doo ning maa ba Wii kaa nenh be maawng gi zad mtak mik. Mii dash go we we yib maa ba waa ani bo pa w’gii bi zag wiinj gab wit. Mii ge gwa w’gii mi na now gi zid we’yib. 

A spark came from his tail in mid air, and that spark spiraled down and went into the dying mans mouth. As soon as that spark went into his mouth, the man stood up, and he was cured. 

“Mii maaba Nwiikaanenh, Aapiji maaba Kitchi twaa wendaawgozi.” w’gii kida maaba Mandaowginini.  

“Mii maa ba Nwii kaa nenh, Aa pi ji maa ba Kit chi twaa wen daaw go zi.” w’gii ki da maa ba Man da ow gi ni ni.  

This is my brother, and his power is great, said the Holy Man. 

“Mii maaba eniiyogaaded Nwiikaaneh, Ma’ingan. Miidash nzaam w’gii naandwe’aat ninda ninwan, aabdig w’gaa miigwechwenmaa’aa. Aabdeg gegoo w’ga miinaa’waa waa mii jit. Kina go da daapinaanan niwe kanenhyin be maawngdegin. Kina ge we daa daapnaan wiinin be maawngdeg. Kina age w’da daapnan o we miijim zegkinand maaba Nini getchi mji zhawebzid. 

“Mii maa ba e nii yo gaa ded Nwii kaa neh, Ma’ingan. Mii dash nzaam w’gii naand we’aat nin da nin wan, aab dig w’gaa miig wech wen maa’aa. Aab deg ge goo w’ga mii naa’waa waa mii jit. Ki na go da daa pi naa nan ni we ka nenh yin be maawng de gin. Ki na ge we daa daap naan wii nin be maawng deg. Ki na a ge w’da daap nan o we mii jim zeg kin and maa ba Ni ni get chi mji zha web zid. 

This is my four legged brother, the wolf. And because he cured this man, you must give him offerings. You must give him something to eat for what he did. He will accept all of those bones that are laying on the floor. He will accept all that fat that is laying around. He will also take all that greedy man’s food that he’s got tucked away behind him. 

Mii dash maaba Ma’ingan kina gegoo w’gii miijid zhiwe be maawngdenig Wiigwaasgamigong. Kina go gegoo w’gii miijin maaba Ma’ingan. Gaa go yaabi wiyaa ooshmi gegoo w’gii yaaziin. Gaawii woshme wiya zaasganan w’gii yaawaa siin. 

Mii dash maa ba Ma’in gan ki na ge goo w’gii mii jid zhi we be maawng de nig Wiig was ga mi gong. Ki na go ge goo w’gii mii jin maa ba Ma’ingan. Gaa go yaa bi wi yaa oosh mi ge goo w’gii yaa ziin. Gaa wii wosh me wi ya zaas ga nan w’gii yaa waa siin. 

So the wolf started to eat everything off the ground inside that Wiigwaam. The wolf ate everything. Nobody had more than the other person. Nobody had more fat rinds than the other. 

Mii dash maaba MaandawgNini gaa naad niwe bemaadzinjin. “Nga yaa go zhinda. W’ga zhinoomoonim waa zhi Manidoo ke yig. W’gii wiindmaagoom go go ding, W’gii nendaanaawaa dash.” 

Mii dash maa ba Maan dawg Ni ni gaa naad ni we be maad zin jin. “Nga yaa go zhi nda. W’ga zhi noo moon im waa zhi Ma ni doo ke yig. W’gii wind maa goom go go ding, W’gii nen daa naa waa dash.” 

The holy man told the people, “I am going to stay here, and I am going to show you how to do this ceremony again. You were told once, and you forgot, and I am going to show you one more time.” 

Kina gegoo w’gii mzinbiiyaan zhaashkiing. W’gii mzinbiiwaan ge wiibmaadbinit bemaadzinjin. Niniwag nikeyaa, kwewag gaye bane’ying. Shkode ge wii tek, miinwaa Odewegan gay’ii wii teg. 

Ki na ge goo w’gii mzin bii yaan zhaash kiing. W’gii mzin bii waan ge wiib mad bi nit be maad zin jin. Ni ni wag ni ke yaa, kwe wag ga ye ba ne’ying. Sh ko de ge wii tek miin waa Ode we gan gay’ii wii teg. 

He drew everything for them in the sand. He drew where the people would be sitting. Men on one side and women on the other. The fire here, and the drum here. 

“Mii dash endji mzinbiimaa maanda wii maamnanendm’yig.” Wgii kida. 

“Mii dash en dji mzin bii maa maan da wii maam na nend m’yig.” W’gii ki da. 

“I am drawing this so that you can remember” he said. 

Ma’ingan dash w’gii biidaagon bezhig kanenhs. Mii dash w’gii daapinang owe wiigwaas, miidash minwaa w’gii mzinbiiyang kinoomaadwin. Aapiji w’gii minobiigaade maanda wiigwaas. Ngamwinan w’ge gii mzinsin noon. 

Ma’in gan dash w’gii bii daa gon be zhig ka nenhs. Mii dash w’gii daa pi nang o we wig waas, mii dash min waa w’gii mzin bii yang ki noo maad win. Aa pi ji w’gii mi no bii gaa de maan da wiig waas. Ngam wi nan w’ge gii mzin sin noon. 

The wolf came up and brought a moose bone. Then he picked up the birch bark, and he drew everything on that bark with that bone, and that big roll of birch bark had beautiful pictures of everything. Even the songs were on there. 

W’gii kidwag bemaadzidjig owe wiigwaas w’gii minowesin dbishkoo go wda dawegese. Dbishkoo w’go wdaa maadziimgad. Gii maad ziim gad. 

W’gii kid wag be maad zi djig o we wig waas w’gii mi no we sin dbish koo go wda da we ge se. Dbish koo w’go wdaa maad ziim gad. Gii maad ziim gad. 

They say that this birch bark had a beautiful sound and that it sounded like a drum. It had a beautiful sound. It was alive. 

Miidash maaba Mandowginini w’gii zhaamad niwe Niniwan getchi mjizhiwebzinit, w’gii miinan owe Wiigwaas kinoomaadwin, w’gii naan “Mii maanda waa zhiwebag maanpii. Aabdeg ge maanda eteg zhinda, aabdeg kwii maajiidoon w’odi. Wii naadmaawgyig naa wii maamnanedmayg, maaba Ma’ingan w’da ani shkwii. Maanpii Waabanong Shkwaandemiing w’da nji ginowenjige jibwa zhiwebag miinwaa maanda. Bemaadzidjig miinwaa jiibwaa kitchi aawkziwaad maanpii. W’da naagdawendaan maanda Wiigwaasgamig. Mii gweta kanan miinwaa wiinin nendwendang. 

Mii dash maa ba Man dowg in ini w’gii zhaa mad ni we Ni ni wan get chi mji zhi web zi nit. W’gii mii nan o we wiig waas ki noo maad win, w’gii naan “Mii maan da waa zhi we bag maan pii. Aab deg ge maan da e teg zhin da, aab deg kwii maa jii doon w’odi. Wii naad maaw gyig naa wii maam na ned mayg, maa ba Ma’ing an w’da ani shkwii. Maan pii Waa ba nong Shkwaan dem ing w’da nji gi no wen ji ge jib wa zhi we bag miin waa maan da. Be maad zid jig miin waa jiib waa kit chi aawk zi waad maan pii. W’da naag da wen daan maan da Wiig waas ga mig. Mii gwe ta ka nan miin waa wii nin nend wen dang. 

And the Holy Man went to the greedy man, and he said, “ This is to remind you what goes on in here. And you have to take what is in here, and you have to take it out there. As a reminder, my friend the wolf is going to stay and live with you. He is going to live outside that eastern door, so that people will not bring in that sickness inside here anymore. He is going to protect this lodge. All he requires is fat and bones. 

Miidash w’gii tkobnaad niwe Man’inganan zhiwe shkondeming. “Mii dash mbe ji nimaajaa’aanh. W’gii maajii bimose dash Epgishmog nike’yaa. 

Mii dash w’gii tkob naad ni we Man’in ga nan zhi we shkon de ming. “Mii dash mbe ji ni maa jaa’aanh. W’gii maa jii bi mose dash Ep gish mog ni ke’yaa. 

And then he tied up the wolf outside the lodge on the Eastern doorway. He said, “It is my time to go, my journey continues, and he went toward the west. 

“Gegwaa maajaa ke.” W’gii kidwag bemaadzidjig. 

“Geg waa maa jaa ke.” W’gii kid wag be maad zid jig. 

The people said, “Don’t go.”

“Aabdeg go wii maajaa’aanh. Epginshmog nda ani zhaa” 

“Aab deg go wii maa jaa’aanh. Ep ginsh mog nda a ni zhaa” 

“I have to go, I am going to the west.” 

Bemaadzidjig w’gii ngamtoowaa’an animsenit. 

Be maad zid jig w’gii ngam too waa’an a nim se nit. 

The people started to sing to him as he started walking off to the distance. 

Aapiji w’gii kitchi nendmoog w’gii bizhaanid ninda Maandowgininiwan. Kina gegoo w’gii aandsidmaagwan. Shki maadziwin gii yaa’naa waa Ode’wegan ge aapijii w’gii minoweshin. 

Aa pi ji w’gii kit chi nend moog w’gii bi zhaa nid nin da Maan dow gi ni ni wan. Ki na ge goo w’gii aand sid maag waan. Shki maad zi win gii yaa naa waa. Ode’we gan ge aa pi ji w’gii mi no we shin. 

The people were so happy he came because he changed everything for them. He gave them life again. The drum was sounding so good. 

W’gii ginoowaabmaa’an dash go gonda bemaadzidjig niwe Maandaawgininiwan ni zaagdasenit zhiwe Wiigwaasgamigong. W’gii ginowaabmaa’an dash go piinish waasa ni yaa nit. Pii waasa niyaanit dash, waaboozoonh w’gii ni aawi maaba. W’gii kendanawaa dash maaba waaboos kitchi twaa nini w’gii aawit maaba waaboozonnh, maage maaba kitchi twaa Nini waaboonhzoonh w’gii aawi. W’gii kendaanaawaa dash go giishpin miinwaa daa bizhaani giishpin minezwaat. 

W’gii gi noo waab maa’an dash go gonda be maad zid jig ni we Maan daaw gi ni ni wan ni zaag da se nit zhi we Wiig was ga mi gong. W’gii gi noo waab maa’an dash go pii nish waa sa ni yaa nit. Pii waa sa ni yaa nit dash, waa boo zoonh w’gii ni aa wi maaba. W’gii ken daa naa waa dash maa ba waa boos ki tchi twaa ni ni w’gii aa wit maa ba waa boo zonnh, maa ge maa ba kit chi twaa Nini waa boonh zoonh w’gii aawi. W’gii ken daa naa waa dash go giish pin miin waa daa bi zhaa ni giish pin mi nez waat. 

As he walked out that western doorway, people crowded around to see him go. They looked at him go off in the distance. As he kept walking, he was no longer a man. He was a rabbit. They knew that the holy man was a rabbit, maybe turned into a man, or maybe a man that turned into a rabbit. They knew the holy man would come back when he was really needed. 

Miidash owe w’gaa zhi waabmaa’at niwe waaboozoonhyin Epginshmog nike’ya w’ni zhaanit. 

Mii dash o we w’gaa zhi waab maa’at ni we waa booz oonh yin Ep ginsh mog ni ke’ya w’ni zhaa nit. 

And so that is how they saw that Waaboos walking toward the sunset.

W’gii minaajaa’an dash niwe waaboozoonhyin. W’gii mizinbiiwaa’an kitchi siniing zhiwe ‘wgii shki waabmaa’at niwe waaboosoonhyin. W’gii nakaaznawaa owe kitchi twaa tisigan (Onaman). W’gii mizinbiiawan dash niwe waaboozoonhyin pognan zgaswaanaa’nit miinwaa niwe tooganan, miinwaa miiwnginan nzaam owe w’ga zhichgenid. 

W’gii mi naa jaa’an dash ni we waa boo zoonh yin. W’gii mi zin bii waa’an kit chi si niing zhi we ‘wgii shki waab maa’at ni we waa boo zoonh yin. W’gii na kaaz naa waa owe kit chi twaa ti si gan (Onaman). W’gii mi zin bii aa wan dash ni we waa booz oonh yin pog nan zgas waa naa’nit miin waa ni we too ga nan, miin waa miiwng in an nzaam owe w’ga zhich ge nid. 

To commemorate what the holy man did for them, they drew his picture on a rock where the rabbit was first seen. They used the sacred paint, and they painted him smoking a pipe, with his big ears to honour him in what he had done. 

Maaba dash Ma’ingan wiikaa w’gii webnaasiin Anishinaaben. Nimosh dash nango gda zhi kenmaanaa. 

Maa ba dash Ma’in gan wii kaa w’gii web naa siin A nish inaa ben. Ni mosh dash nango gda zhi ken maa naa. 

The wolf never left the Anishinaabeg and is the dog as we know it.  

Miigwech Betsy Lee Kechego.