Kapawe’no First Nation – Nestled on the land, within the embrace of a traditional tipi, Buffalo Bay Academy high school students engage in more learn; they partake in the living heart of Nêhiyawawin. Here, the classroom extends beyond four walls, grounded in the land itself. Students gather, the warmth of the fire in the center, as they learn the Tansi greetings, absorb the opening prayer, and embrace the words of spring—an embodiment of Nêhiyawak way of life and sovereign learning.
These lessons are vital threads in the fabric of Nêhiyawak miyo pimacihowin. Today, they practice foundational phrases, greetings that serve as a bridge between generations and a reaffirmation of identity:
– Tanisi kiya – How are you?
– Namoya nantow – I am fine.
– Ekwa Kiya – And you?
– Namoyah nantow nista – I am fine too.
– Tansi Kitsikason – What is your name
– [Your name ] Nitsikason – [Name] is my name
– Tanti ochi Kiya – Where are you from
– [ Place ] niya ochi – I am from (place) eg. Kapawe’no ochi niya
As they exchange names and share where they are from, the language flows as words, and connections to each other and to Kapawe’no, the land that has nourished the Nation for generations.
The lesson culminates in the Kâkîsimowin, a prayer of gratitude and protection, a call to the Creator, acknowledging the life given and the guidance needed. Each line, spoken with reverence, reaffirms their place in the world and their responsibilities to each other and to all creation. Ohpinaw Ospwakan (Oh pi now o spwa kun) I lift the pipe.
Buffalo Bay Academy is a place of learning; it is a space where the Nêhiyawêwin breathes, grows, and strengthens with each spoken word and each shared experience. It is a living classroom, one that honors the past and sows the seeds for a future rich with the wisdom of the land and our ancestors.
Last modified: March 23, 2024
