Gaawiin G'gaa Nenmaasiinanig (We Will Not Forget)

The following text was written and translated by Howard Kimewon and Margaret Noori and read by students and community members in protest of university holdings of the remains of 405 native individuals on March 20, 2008.

More information: Michigan Daily Article

Mii noongwa maajtamigak minookamig.
This is the start of spring.

Mii maanda gabe boon gaa baabiitoowying.
This is what we have waited for all winter.

Gaye niin daa bishigendaasiin maampii bi ayaanh ishkwaa nbooyaanh mazinaigan makakonsing.
I would not like to be put here in a cardboard box after I walk on.

Gaye minonendsiiwag gondag kaa maajaajig mindomwan.
These ones who have walked on their spirits are not feeling well.

Gaye mashi bigidnigaasiiwag wii ni dagooshinawaad waa izhaawaad.
They will not let them finish their journey.

Gaye wii kaa g'gaa nenmaasiinanig gaa bi iayaajig.
We will not forget the ones who were here before us.

N'gaa bagosendaami chibignigooyeg wii ni obizikaayeg waa izhaayeg.
We all hope you will be released, you have to complete your journey.

Gaye wiika n'gii nendsiimi maampii maanda kiing gaa miinigooig wii mjiganaamiig n'wiioominanan wii n'da kendamiig gaa bi ezhi bimaadiziyang.
We had good thoughts when this land was given - you should not hold these bodies to understand how life was for them, to study them.

Ingoding miidaaswak-shi-niiwak-shi-niizhtana-shi-shwaaswi mii geyabi wi minik ebwaad kaa nboopinig.
1,428 is the number of people who have passesd on but are still here.

Niiwak-shi-naanan kenjigaazwag debendaaziwaad.
They know where 405 of them belong.