N'zaagitonaa eyaa'iyang, Anishinaabemowin Dopwin (We Love You, Language Table)

Written and Read by Margaret Noori

N'zaagitonaa eyaa'iyang, Anishinaabemowin Dopwin,
We love you, Language Table

Giishpin bi izhaamigoyin,
If we come to you
bi namadabiyaang,
and we sit
miinwa gigidoyaang,
and we talk
gdaa bi bimaadiz na?
will you be alive (for us)?

Giishpin semaa miinigoyin, aaniish ge ezhi naadamoyingiba?
If we offer you tobacco, what will you help us become?

Waabzheshii wii aawiyaang wii chi waasa waabandamaang ge ni ezhiwebag?
A marten looking far into the future?

Pukane wii aawiyaang wii nagamoyaang?
A grasshopper making a song?

Gimewan wii aawiyaang wii naamademeyaang oshkiwaaskoneing?
Rain on a new flower?

Anishinaabemowin Dopwin, N' Bazigeminaa,
Language Table, Our Sweetheart,

Gawiin pisagaag eta g'da'aawesii.
You are not only a flat board.

Wii Nakweshkodaading, ingoji g'daaw.
You are a meeting place.

Kinomageng ingoji g'daaw.
You are a university.

Kina nda'anamewinaanin miinwa nda'bwajigewinaanin
All our prayers and dreams

Ndo maamaawi'iyaami
gather there

biinjiiying kiin e-ayaawiiyin mitigo'ode.
inside your wooden heart.

N'zaagitonaa, Anishinaabemowin Dopwin,
We love you, Language Table,

kaa waabaamigoo miinwa, miinwa, miinwa, miinwa pane.
we'll see you again, and again, and again, and again forever.

© 2009 Margaret Noori

Margaret Noori

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