Noondaagwadoon Gikinoo’amaadiiwigamigong: Things That Are Heard At School Project

This project began in 2023 when Gichi-Onigaming, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and Cook County School District set out to increase the amount of Ojibwe language heard where learning takes place. It is aligned with Minnesota’s Indian Education For All initiative which ensures students and educators are knowledgeable about tribal histories, languages, sovereignty, cultures, treaty rights, governance, and socioeconomic experiences within Minnesota.

These words are permanent teachers waiting to be discovered throughout the hallways, in the classrooms and around the building. With a quick QR connection to pronunciation they make it possible for beginners to dive in and experts to confirm they are part of a network of speakers.

Gida-niindaa'imin! Send us something.

Please feel free use these words, send us your feedback about them, and let us know what other words and phrases are needed to reclaim ezhi-onaakonigeyang Anishinaabemong (the way we make decisions in Anishinaabe languages).

Building Words

Cook-Office Naadamaagewigamig (Main Office)
Cook-Principals Office Ogimaawigamig (Principal’s Office)
Cook-Health Office Aakoziiwigamigoons (Health Office)
Cook-Cafeteria Wiisiniwigamig (Cafeteria)
Cook-Kitchen Jiibaakwewigamig (Kitchen)
Cook-Music Room Madwechigewigamig (Music Room)
Cook-Art Room Mazinibii’igewigamig (Art Room)
Cook-Gymnasium Gagwejiiwigamig (Gymnasium)
Cook-Library Agindaasowigamig (Library)
Cook-Boys Cook-Wash Your Hands Gwiiwizensag (Boys), Giziibiigininjii(n) (Wash your hands)
Cook-Men Cook-Wash Your Hands Ininiwag (Men), Giziibiigininjii(n) (Wash your hands)
Cook-Girls Cook-Wash Your Hands Ikwezensag (Girls), Giziibiigininjii(n) (Wash your hands)
Cook-Women Cook-Wash Your Hands Ikwewag (Women), Giziibiigininjii(n) (Wash your hands)
Cook-Unisex Cook-Wash Your Hands Zaaga’amoowigamig (Unisex Bathroom), Giziibiigininjii(n) (Wash your hands)
Cook-Locked Room Na’etoowigamig (Locker Room)
Cook-Computer Room Mazinaabikiwebinigewigamig (Computer Room)
Cook-Media Center Agindaasowigamig (Media Center)
Cook-Auditorium Mazinaatesijigewigamig (Amphitheater/Auditorium)
Cook-School Gikinoo’amaadiiwigamig (School)
Cook-Staff Lounge Endazhi-anwebiwaad Enokiijig (Staff Lounge)
Cook-Conference Room Mawanji’idiiwigamig (Conference Room)
Cook-Anishinaabe Resource Center Anishinaabe Gikinoo’amaagoziwigamig (Anishinaabe Resource Center)
Cook-Speech-Therapy Izhi-gabe-wiidookaageng (Occupational Therapy)
Cool-Speech Therapy Izhi-wiidookaageng-gaagiigidowin (Speech Therapy)

Subject Words

Cook-Social Studies Endazhi-nandagikenimind Bemaadizid (Social Studies)
Cook-Health Mino-ayaawin Gekenjigaadeg (Health)
Cook-Math Agindaasowin (Math)
Cook-Science Bimaadiziwin Gekenjigaadeg (Science)
Cook-Industrial Technology Ozhiga’igewin Gekenjigaadeg (Industrial Technology)
Cook-English Zhaaganaashiimowin (English)
Cook-History Gaa-izhiwebak Mewinzha (History)
Cook-Spanish Mandaaminii-Anishinaabemowin (Spanish)
Cook-Speech Inawe-wiidookaagewin (Speech)
Cook-Writing Ozhibii’igewin (Writing)

Phrases Heard Around School

Minogigizheb (Good morning)
Mino-ishkwaa-naawakwe (Good afternoon)
Aaniin ezhi-ayaayan? (How are you?)
Nimino-ayaa (I am well)
Indayekoz (I am tired)
Aanikoogaabawig daga (Stand in a line please)
Cook-Wash Your Hands Giziibiigininjii(n) (Wash your hands)
Bizaan-ayaadaa! (Let’s be quiet!)

Seven Grandfathers

Cook-Humility Dabasenimowin (Humility)
Cook-Love Zaagi’idiwin (Love)
Cook-Respect Manaaji’iwewin (Respect)
Cook-Honesty Gwayakwaadiziwin (Honesty)
Cook-Courage Zoongide’ewin (Courage)
Cook-Truth Debwewin (Truth)
Cook-Knowledge Cook-Knowledge2 Gikendamowin/Nibwaakaawin (Knowledge/Wisdom)

Cook County Specific Words

Cook-Cook County Cook Deba’igaadeg Aki (Cook County)
Cook-Cook High School Ani-nitaawigi-gikinoo’amaadiiwigamig (Cook County High School)
Cook-Cook Middle School Abiitoo-ombigi-gikinoo’amaadiiwigamig (Cook County Middle School)
Cook-Sawtooth Mts Odatagaagobikaadina (Sawtooth Mountains)
Cook-Sawtooth Elementary Maajiigi-gikinoo’amaadiiwigamig (Elementary)
Cook-Great Expectations Gichi-akawaabanjigaadewinan (Great Expectations) Note: this is a Cook County School
Vikings Waakwegijig (Vikings) Note: This translates as ones who grow near bays (or fjords).
Cook-Success for All Niigaanosedaa – Manaaji’ididaa gakina awiya (Success for Each – Respect for All, literally this means Let’s Lead Together – Let’s All Show Respect)
Cook-Giiwedino-wayekwaagaming Giiwedino-wayekwaagaming Nichiwad (North Shore Storm)

QR Fun Photo Gallery

Please send us photos of QR codes being installed or used in your community! Below are some photos from Cook County Schools in northern Minnesota. Send photos to Stacie Sheldon.