This prayer is the result of Detroit youth from the “Sons of Traditions Youth Group” working together to create a positive message. Each youth contributed a line and Ojibwe.net worked together to help them translate their prayer into Anishinaabemowin. The youth attended the 12th Annual World Sabbath on Sunday January 30, 2011 and delivered their prayer. Listen to a teacher reading the prayer slowly to learn to pronounce the words.

Youth Prayer

God (Gizhemanido) / Great Spirit (Chi Manido) / Grandfathers (Mishomisag), Grandmothers (Gokomisag)

Chi miigwetch	maanda	gaa miizhiyaang	giizhigad.
Great thanks	this one	that you gave us,	this day.
I thank you for this beautiful day.

Naadamawishin	chigikendamaa	maanda	e-kinomaagoyaanh.
Help me	to know it	this	I am learning.
Help me with my schooling.

Nd’daawendaan	ge niin maanda	chiniigaanimaamba	ezhi-shkiitamaa’aa.
I want	for myself	to be put forth in front	the way to be able.
I am willing to put forth the effort to succeed.

G’gawaabamishinaang	eneweyaanigiziyaang.¹
Watch over all of us	all those in my family.
Watch over	my family.

G’baagosendamaami	gondag	ingitizimnaanig	miinwaa	nd’nawendaganinanig²
We all hope	those	parents	and	relatives

wii chiminozheyaawaad.

they will be well.

Hope that some of my family members are feeling better.

Naadamaw	gondag	nd’nawendaganinanig²	chiwaamdamwaad	genwa	bimaadziwin.
Help them	those	relatives	look out for them	(and) their	life.
Help all our relations on the road to recovery as a people.

Miinshinaang	mashkawiziwin	miinwaa	shkwaa’a dendamowin.
Give us	strength	(for what)	I will suddenly realize.
Give us the strength and wisdom to make healthy choices.

G’bizindaaigo	gii gimiiyaang.
We listen to you,	what you give to us.
We’re listening to you when you give us guidance.

Note: “eneweyaanigiziyaan” is a term for a group that is all one – it is not exactly relations by blood only.

Note: “nd’nawendaganinanig” is more literally a term for family as it is used in English.