native american heritage month: language is the key to everything

TEDX talk given by Ron (Muqsahkwat) Corn, a language warrior

One of the most significant losses to the Native American culture is the loss of the indigenous language. This talk addresses the need to revitalize the Menominee Native American language.

Opening (spoken in Menominee)

My fellow Menominee, all my relations and everyone who is present here. Thank you I say to all of you for gathering here. Now I will speak a little…

I am from the land of the Menominee and I am Bear clan. My grandmother comes from Keshena, Enae:mae:hku:kiw is my mother, Ne:powew-awae:hsaeh is my father, Mahwae:hsaeh is my brother, Ne:pen-a:nakwatu:kiw is my sister.

My wife is Awae:hse:saeh and we have 5 children. First born is Omiyosokwewo-opimohtet, then my daughter Waqseci:wan, my son Ci:na:nakwat and also my daughter Nani:maqowiakiw. My last born is Maeqnakwahku:kiw I also have one grandson: he is Powehkaneh.

Closing (spoken in Menominee)

When I think about what it means to be Menominee, I know that learning our language did a lot for me. As we continue into the future, we must remember our ancestors, our fellow living beings, and those still to come in the future. All my relations, that is it.