The Gwich’in people live close to the land and many activities take place out of doors. Using what you’ve learned so far you’ll take a walk through the woods and learn about what might be said and done in this context.
At the end of the lesson, you will bel able to add some activities to your conversation skills.
Lesson Videos
Resource Video
The following video is from a children’s book where the father points out the name of many things.
Grammar
Basic verb conjugation
Neehihdik – I walk
Neeheedik – he/she walks
Neegeehiidal – they walk
Neehiindik – you walk
Vocabulary
Taking a walk
Deegwii’in – What’s happening?
Deeni’in – what are you doing?
Nijuk hinkhaii? Where are you going?
Deeshi’ìn – What am I doing?
Dee’in? – What are you doing?
Deegwi’in? – What are we doing?
Deekho’in? – What are you guys’ doing?
Dèegii’in? – What are they doing?
Destinations
_______gwats’a’ hihshyaa – I am going to _____________
Ch’ookwat Zheh – store
Geech’oahtan Zheh – school
Tąįį – trail
Han – river
Åukdeek’it – fish camp
Shizheh – Home –
Shijyaa veezheh – The house of my friend –
Shiyeeghan nąįį goozheh – The house of my parents –
Kwaiik’it – Town –
Oo’ok – woods/wilderness –
Ddhah – Mountains
Gwitr’iÅ‚ – work
Activities
Neehihdik – I walk
Neeheedik – he/she walks
Neegeehiidal – they walk
Neehiindik – you walk
Neehihvik – I swim
Shah che’eet’aa – I am flying (in a plane)
AÅ‚ tÅ‚aa – I am boating
Ch’ih’aa – I am eating
Gwal’iin – I see
Ch’iitthak – I hear
Ch’iiÅ‚ii – I sing
________naÅ‚’in — I see _______.
________nah’in? — Do you see _________?
Jidiinah’in? – What do you see?
Conversation
Video – Gwich’in Elders visit informally on the street and discuss fish wheels. They discuss how older fish wheels used to be made and installed.
Also view the following video: students practice speaking Gwich’in talking about hunting:
Record a brief video of yourself pointing out different things in the environment and saying their names in Gwich’in, you don’t need to be in the video as long as we can see a hand pointing out the features.
Plant Database: GTC Department of Cultural Heritage – This resource is for learning more about the plants that the Gwich’in people use. Although this site is based on Canadian Gwich’in, it is a great resource for learning more about the environment.