Once Again in January

Margaret-Noodin

By Margaret Noodin

Maanda dibaajimowinans zhibii’aan Waabshkaazo-zenibaasag Kchi-gabegikendaasogamig Michiganong.
This poem was written for the Waabshkaazo-zenibaasag project at the University of Michigan.

Waabshkaazo-zenibaasag tkobidonaanan mitigon miinwaa kina gojing.
White ribbons are tied in trees and many places.

Miidash kina goya daa gikendaaswaad gaye wiikaa g’gaa nenmaasiinanig gaa bi iayaajig.
So everyone will know we will not forget the ones who were here before us.

NAGPRA gii nakinigewin 1990, gaye maashi bagidinigaazsiiwag.
Native American Grave Repatriation Act Program was decided in 1990, but the University of Michigan has not yet returned requested remains.

Giindaan maampii: http://www.nps.gov/history/nagpra/ oshme pii nsostaayeg.

Visit http://www.nps.gov/history/nagpra/ to understand more.

(Note: Not all words match from the first line to the third. Some sounds and ideas simply do not translate.)

Geyabi_Ingoding

Geyabi Ingoding Manido-Giizisong
Still Once More Spirit Sun
Once Again in January

 

Shki-giizis miinwaa shki-biboon gii bi dagooshinwaad geyabi.
New month and a new year have arrived again.
A new month and new year have arrived again.

 

Gaawiin minoenendsiiwag gondag gaa maajaajig, gondag enji-gaanawenjigaazwaad geyabi
They are not well the ones who have gone, the ones held prisoner still
And the ones who have walked on are held prisoner still.

 

Biiskaanaanan gisinang mkwamans Zhiingwaak niimid
Wearing in the cold, bits of ice, Pine dances
Outdoors, wearing icicles, the pine dances.

 

Name giiwedin giizis, pii noodin bi dagooshin Zhiingwaak niimid
Under northern sun when wind arrives, Pine dances
Under a northern sun, as the wind arrives, pine dances.

 

Ozhaaboniganag g’zhaabwaabam’igonanig, daamtaayaang odenanigong geyabi.
Living needles they see through us, we are busy in our hearts still.
Pine needles pierce our busy hearts again.

 

Zhaawskwaazo-zhaaboniganag “naadamoiyang ina” g’gwejim’igonanig geyabi.
Green living needles will you help us they ask us again.
The green needles ask again, “will you help us?”

 

Pane g’daa mikwendaagwadaan ensa kan.
Always we should remember every bone.
We should always remember every bone.

 

Pane g’daa mikwendaagoz’anan ensa jichaak
Always we should remember every soul
We should always remember every soul.

 

Oniijaansinag nd’aawmi mitig-jiibikan-aakiing, jiibayag noondawangwa geyabi.
Children we are of tree-root-earth, ghosts we hear them still.
We are children of the earth and can hear her ghosts.

 

Biinish bagidinigaazwag jichaakag, jiibayag wii noondawangwa geyabi miinwaa geyabi. . .
Until they are released the souls, ghosts we hear them again and again. . .
And until the souls are released, we will hear the ghosts again and again . . .

Copyright © 2021 by Margaret Noodin

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