Page 22 - Georgina Island

Language

Although we have a rich traditional background and a strong
connection to our language and culture, in our community, the
WORDS TO KNOW Anishinaabe language, Anishinaabemowin, is used fluently
Anishinaabemowin only by the people who are older. There are less than five
(a-nish-nabay-moe-in):
Anishinaabemowin speakers on Georgina Island.
the Anishinaabe language
Those who speak the language say that Georgina Island’s
words and way of speaking are different from nearby Rama
and Christian Island. They are closer to the way that those from
Christian Island talk. Though Anishinaabemowin has a good
chance of surviving, we all fear that soon our Georgina Island
way of talking will soon pass.

Anishinaabemdaa
(ah- nish-in ah-bem-dah)
Shtaataa haa
(ssshht –tah –hah)

Ngichi Baap
(git chay bop)

Ngichi baashkaap
(git chay baa szhh cop)

Ngodin eta gibmaadis
(god in eta gee bah mah dis)

Ka waabmin
(gah wob min)

Baamaa ka ginoonin
(bah mah kah gee no neen)
Aanii gonaa iidik
(ah nee go nah id dick) Our language was once completely oral—we did not write in the
language—but that has changed over time. We now have a system of
Aaniish gonaa apiji writing that goes back to the 1830s. Although the real communication in
(ah neesh go nah op gee) our language remains oral.
Gizaagin
Most of us speak English on a daily basis, although we know
(gee zah g in)
some words and phrases in Anishinaabemowin. We speak
English primarily because now we spend most of our lives
in English-speaking settings. We use the English language
in our homes and in our schools. Young people learn
Anishinaabemowin in classroom settings much like other
students in Ontario learn French.

20 Georgina Island First Nation

ogemawahj_community_book1.indd 20 2019-02-27 10:32 AM