G’miigwechtoonaa, G’miigwechweaa’naa (We give thanks for things, We give thanks to others)

We have found that one of the most common reasons to learn the language is a desire to give thanks using the language that has echoed in this place for centuries. Humility and the ability to slow down and count your blessings, ask for guidance, and be present for others are fundamental concepts beautifully expressed in Anishinaabemowin.

The following text was sent to us by Andy Chosa, translated by Howard Kimewon and transcribed by Margaret Noodin.

Today we give thanks for our many blessings.
Noongwo	g’miigwechweyaanaa	GizheManido	minik	miinigwezwii’anan	miinwaa	maanagooing.
Today	we give thanks to	the Creator	for so much	fortune	and	what we have been given.

 

We give thanks for the sky above and the earth below.
G’miigwechtoonaa	maanda	maampii	aki	g’bagidnamaagoing	wii iyaaying
We give thanks for	this	here	earth	we have been offered	to be on

 

miinwaa	maanda	n’waamdaaming	giizhigong.
and	this	that we see,	the heavens.

 

We give thanks for the rising of the sun and the moon.
G’miigwechweaa’naa	g’bagidnamaagoing	giizo	miinwaa	dibikigiizo	wii	aabjikaazying.
We give thanks to them,	we have been offered	the sun	and	the moon	to	use.

 

We give thanks for the beauty of our surroundings.
Gaa miigwechweaa’naa	kina gego	gwenaajong	g’gaa miinigoing.
We give thanks to them	all things	beautiful in this place	we have been given.

 

We give thanks for our parents who brought us into this world and taught us about life.
Kchi miigwetchwinim	maanda	bimaadziwin	gaa miizhiyang	gashe	miinwaa	gos.
Thank you both for	this	life	we are given	mother	and	father.

 

We give thanks for our brothers and sisters who shared our childhood with us.
Gaa miigwetchwigo	noongwa	maamwe	gii bi kooganiiyaang	ge niinwe	nikaayeg	miinwaa	miseyeg.
We all thank you	today	together	who were raised here	with us	brothers	and	sisters

 

We give thanks for our friends who have journeyed along life’s path with us.
Gaa miigwetchweaananing	genwa	kwiijkenanig	gaa bi wiijsemigoo’ing.
We are thankful for	our	friends	who walked along with us.

 

We give thanks for the laughter of the children.
Gaa miigwetchweaananing	gondag,	baapwin	miinwa	chinendamowin	genwa	binoojiyag	eyaamwaad.
We are thankful for	them,	the laughter	and	the happiness	our	children	they have.

 

And we give thanks for the love in our hearts.
Gaa miigwetchwigo	maanda	zaagidwin	odenang	eyaamaan.
We all thank you for	this	love	in our hearts	we have.