Native Languages Quotes

“I mean, if Native languages have no gender, then why should we? And why, for that matter, should God?”
― Tomson Highway, Kiss of the Fur Queen

“All native languages are in danger of dying in Canada. We must each do our part in any way we can to preserve these languages. Cree is my native tongue, the first language I spoke when I came into this earth, so I feel it's my responsibility to do whatever I can to help preserve it.”
― Tomson Highway

“The card has a black bird graphic and unfamiliar words: Gaagaagi Noodin. The back of the card lists a cell-phone number and an e-mail address, and there's a handwritten message: Lucy, come home where you are loved.”
― Angeline Boulley, Sisters in the Wind

“You can change my name to Misho Abe. ME-show is short for Mishomis. It means 'Grandpa.”
― Angeline Boulley, Sisters in the Wind

“And what does the bah mean when she calls her Lily-bah?"

"It's a suffix added to a person's name after. they pass away." He speaks softly. "It means they aren't in this world anymore. They are something beyond who they were here.”
― Angeline Boulley, Sisters in the Wind

“Do you know what Gimiwan means?" I ask.

"It means 'rain.”
― Angeline Boulley, Sisters in the Wind

“Gichimanidoo is our word for God. Creator. Gih-CHEE-man-ih-doe is perfect. We humans are flawed.”
― Angeline Boulley, Sisters in the Wind