Let’s All Learn Gwich’in
With Allan Benjamin from Old Crow
Gwich’in Expressions:
Gwich’in Ginjik Native Language
Dinjii zhuh ginjik jihtth’ak I understand Native language
Lée nizhigwiłts’īk? Are you hungry?
Jidìi Niindhan? What do you want?
Jidìi nid i’ii? What do you have?
Jidìi Kàgwanah’in? What are you looking for?
Ch’ivēedzyāa at’iinihthān kwaa I don’t like mushrooms
Gwiint’lo dzan virh jidthihłii I really wish for boiled muskrat
Ch’ankaii nihthan I want blood soup
Łuh chīl sheenit kanahée Get wood chips for me
Gwanzhīh Plants
Jii kʼāii tʼiinchʼuu This is a willow
Jii tsʼiigyūu tʼiinchʼuu This is rhubarb
Jii tLʼoo tʼiinchʼuu This is grass
Jii szīh tʼiinchʼuu This is spruce gum
Jii chʼatʼān tʼiinchʼuu This is a leaf
Jii nūʼ tʼiinchʼuu This is moss
Jii dineedzīL tʼiinchʼuu This is spruce cone
Jii TLʼoodrik tʼiinchʼuu This is wild onions
Jii deetrūʼ jak tiinchʼuu This is juniper
Jii nichīh tʼiinchʼuu This is rosehips
Jii Lidii masgit tʼiinchʼuu This is labrador tea
Jii jak tʼiinchʼuu This is berries
When I was a kid this Elder gave me a Gwich’in name”CHIH AHAA”
Translated it means”walking ahead”
Allan Benjamin – CHIH AHAA
