Kapawe’no First Nation – At Kapawe’no Nehiyawak Kiskinahamâtowikamik we continue daily to teach and learn Nehiyawewin.Nehiyawewin is an oral language, meaning that it is traditionally passed down from generation to generation through speaking, not writing. Therefore, it is only kept alive if spoken and shared and its inherent history enriches the life of anyone who knows it.
It is a work of art, with its words serving to describe action and the natural environment. Most of the words contained within Nehiyawewin represent what we see in nature and we are the closest to mother earth.
Unlike English, it is inflected, meaning that the way words are formulated changes depending on number, gender, tense, etc.
Due to its historical significance, learning Nehiyawewin makes us aware of our local and cultural system that may seem novel to you, but that has been around for many, many years.
‘Learn a word or phase a day, you will be amazed how it will change your life’.
Last modified: June 22, 2023
