Powwow Signs Project
The list below includes words in both western and eastern Ojibwe dialects so you can choose the dialect right for your community or make signs including both dialects. The Western Dialect list was created in Gichi-Onigaming: Grand Portage Lake Superior Band of Chippewa and is read by Margaret Noodin and the Eastern Dialect list was created in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan by Alphonse Pitawanakwat who is from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory. Special thanks to Kylie Rice, Kayla Gonyon, and Andrea Wilkerson for making this project happen. We hope you will use these words for your powwow!
Powwow Sign Words
English |
Western Dialect |
Eastern Dialect |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome | Powwow-Welcome
Biindigeg |
Powwow-Welcome-E
Biindigeg |
| Thank you for coming | Powwow-Thank You for Coming
Gimiigwechiwi’igoom omaa bi-izhaayeg. |
Powwow-Thank You for Coming-E
Gimiigwechiwigoom gii-bi-zhaayig. |
| North | Powwow-North-W
Giiwedinong |
Powwow-North-E
Gii’edinong |
| South | Powwow-South-W
Zhaawanong |
Powwow-South-E
Zhaawnong |
| West | Powwow-West-W
Ningaabii’anong |
Powwow-West-E
Epangishmag |
| East | Powwow-East-W
Waabanong |
Powwow-East-E
Waabanong |
| Food | Powwow-Food-W
Miijim |
Powwow-Food-E
Miijim |
| Locker Room | Powwow-Locker-W
Na’etoowigamig |
Powwow-Locker-E
Sanjgogamig |
| Vendors | Powwow-Vendors-W
Wedaawejig |
Powwow-Vendors-E
Edaawejig |
| Restroom | Powwow-Restroom-W
Wiigwaamens |
Powwow-Restroom-E
Wiigwaamens |
| Dancer Registration | Powwow-Dancer Reg-W
Naamijig Aginjigaazowag |
Powwow-Dancer Reg-E
Naamjig Boozbiigaazwog |
| Drum Registration | Powwow-Drum Reg-W
Dewegejig Aginjigaazowag |
Powwow-Drum Reg-E
De’egan Boozbiigaadeg |
| Program | Powwow-Program-W
Mazina’igaans |
Powwow-Program-E
Mizinigaans |
| Schedule | Powwow-Schedule-W
Enakamigak |
Powwow-Schedule-E
Waanaakamigak |
| Please be respectful | Powwow-Be Respectful-W
Manaadenim |
Powwow-Be Respectful-E
Mnaadenim |
| Volunteers | Powwow-Volunteers-W
Nayaadamaagejig |
Powwow-Volunteers-E
Naadamaagejig |
| Arena | Powwow-Arena-W
Izhi-niimi’idiwag |
Powwow-Arena-E
Ednakamigak |
| Powwow | Powwow-Powwow-W
Niimi’idiwin |
Powwow-Powwow-E
Jiingdamog |
| Admissions | Powwow-Admissions-W
Diba’amaagen omaa |
Powwow-Admissions-E
Dbagen maampii |
| Merchandise | Powwow-Merchandise-W
Niimi’idiwin giishpinajigaadewan |
Powwow-Merchandise-E
Edaanding |
| T-Shirt | Powwow-T-Shirt-W
Biitoo-babagiwayaan |
Powwow-T-Shirt-E
Biitobagweyaan |
| Long-sleeved T-shirt | Powwow-Long-Sleeved-T-W
Gegaanoonagweyaag Babagiwayaan |
Powwow-Long-Sleeved-T-E
Gegwaanike’aag Bagweyaan |
| Stickers | Powwow-Stickers-W
Agokiwasigan |
Powwow-Stickers-E
Dagokziganan |
| Pins | Powwow-Pins-W
Zagaakwa’iganensan |
Powwow-Pins-E
Zagaakogaansan |
| Tote Bags | Powwow-Totes-W
Bebaamiwiijigaadeg Mashkimod |
Powwow-Totes-E
Mawedaaswinmshkimadan |
| Sweatshirt | Powwow-Swearshirt-W
Gizho-babagiwayaan |
Powwow-Swearshirt-E
Giizhobagweyaan |
| Youth T-Shirt | Powwow-Youth-T-Shirt-W
Babagiwayaanens |
Powwow-Youth-T-Shirt-E
Bagweyaanens |
| Elevator | Powwow-Elevator-W
Akwaandawebizon |
Powwow-Elevator-E
Kwandebzawin |
| Elder parking | Powwow-Elder-Parking-W
Onoogibizoni’aawaan odaabaanan gichi-aya’aag |
Powwow-Elder Parking-E
Kchiyaag dodaabaanan sanjigwan |
| Relatives/Relations | Powwow-Relatives-W
Nindenewemeganag |
Powwow-Relatives-E
Nawendaaganag |
| Water | Powwow-Water-W
Nibi |
Powwow-Water-E
Nibi |
| Ancestors | Powwow-Ancestors-W
Aanikoobijiganag |
Powwow-Ancestors-E
Aankoobajiganag |
| Sweetgrass | Powwow-Sweetgrass-W
Wiingashk |
Powwow-Sweetgrass-E
Wiingashk |
| Tobacco | Powwow-Tobacco-W
Asemaa |
Powwow-Tobacco-E
Semaa |
| Cedar | Powwow-Cedar-W
Giizhik |
Powwow-Cedar-E
Giizhik |
| Sage (prairie artemesia) | Powwow-Sage-W
Bashkodejiibik |
Powwow-Sage-E
Shkodebak |
| Storytelling | Powwow-Storytelling-W
Dibaajimo |
Powwow-Storytelling-E
Dibaajimaa |
| Dance for Mother Earth Powwow | Powwow-Dance for Mother-W
Oshkikamigikwe Niimiwin |
Powwow-Dance for Mother-E
Shkikamikwe Niimwin |
Powwow Sign Gallery
If you use the words from the Powwow Signs project we’d love for you to send us a photo for our gallery. Here are some from the 50th Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow.
