Hownikan Podcast Citizen Potawatomi Nation

The episode takes a look at the history of Native Americans and infectious disease, how the CPN human resources department has adapted during the coronavirus pandemic and a new United States Department of Agriculture program helping get food to Tribal members in Kansas. We’ll also learn some words for bugs and insects in Potawatomi just in time for the summer.

Amo – bee; Zazbakwdokét amo – honey bee; Wangenos – ant; Gwakwadé – grasshopper; Bojkwanshi – dragonfly; Jikskotmosi – cricket; Mémégé – butterfly; Kwe mnedoshé – lady bug; Oje – fly; Mnedoshé – insect; Mosé – worm; Skemé – mosquito; Wawatési – firefly; Wemkwoyane – caterpillar; Éspiké – spider; Wézhigawet éspike – black widow spider; Éspikwabuk – spider web; Asawe – loust

This episode is all about COVID-19. Tribal members around the world tell us how their lives have been affected and changed. We’ll also talk to CPN’s lead doctor heading the Tribe’s efforts against COVID-19 and learn a few phrases in Potawatomi that apply to social distancing.

Gégo zam nibwekén beshoch! Don’t stand too close!; Ngo’en I gdon. Cover your mouth.; Ngo’en I gdon epich jachamyen. Cover your mouth when you sneeze.; Zam manek bmadzejek ibe. There are too many people over there.; Gzibinenjen! Wash your hands!; Gshatgen! Stay home! (Telling one person); Gshatgek! You all stay home! (Telling more than one person); Gégo dagneshikén. Don’t touch me.; Gégo dagnakén o kekyat. Don’t touch that elder.; Nasena ezhechkeyen. Be careful what you are doing.; Nasena gishpen Gde-zhya odanek. Be careful if you are going to town.; Ni pi je ezhyayen? Where are you going?; Cho nde-zhyasi ngoji. I am not going anywhere.; Wisnedawewgemgok nde-zhyamen. We are going to the grocery store.; Gme gishek gda-bgedna o séma mine madmoyen. Every day you should put down some tobacco and pray.

During this episode, we’ll learn about the relationship between humans and butterflies, and hear from a Tribal member who has been exploring her ancestry and Tribal culture. CPN Language Department Director Justin Neely also teaches Potawatomi words about spring.

Waskonédo – flower; Tkep – spring; Mokjewen – bubbling spring; Mnokme – Spring (as in the season); Gtegan – garden; Gte'gé – He or she gardens; Ogeni waskonedo – rose; Demen – strawberry; Nenwesh – milkweed plant; Mémégé – butterfly; Mdemoze-ngwabjegen – rainbow; Gmowen – raining; Kwansegebisa – downpour; Kiwgemek – storm cellar; Jigwé – thunder; Jigwe wepojgewen – thunder bolt; Pskazhé – bloom; Wawyasto – tornado

This episode contains stories of Tribal members and CPN departments contributing to the greater community — from enacting change through leadership roles to making communication easier and encouraging others to connect with their culture through music.

Justin Neely from the language department also teaches Potawatomi vocabulary relating to health and the human body:

Déwkwé – headache he/she has
Winéndep – brain
Nenjén – hands
Bagzede – foot swollen he/she has
Dé'/nde – heart/my heart
Déwapne – heart problems he/she has
Kan – bone
Mnobmadze – healthy he/she is
Bipisdé – Lung
Niyow – body (my body)
Peshkwéji – pregnant he/she is
Mskwe – blood (inanimate)
Bmadze – alive he/she is
Nek – arm
Yaknogé – sick he/she is
Kat – leg
Bgéjiwapne – flu he/she has
Yakmedmowen – ache or pain

This time on Hownikan Podcast, we’ll hear from a Tribal member and high school student whose dreams include space travel and learn about how CPN manages its land today. Language Department Director Justin Neely also teaches the differences between animate and inanimate words in Potawatomi.

This episode introduces a CPN member who owns her own Native American architecture company, outlines the Nation’s new Adult Protective Services department and discusses home genealogical DNA testing kits that became popular in the last decade. We’ll also learn astronomy words in Potawatomi.