National Adult Literacy Database

February 13, 2012

The story below comes to us from Rosthern, Saskatchewan. The author, Henry Earl Gardypie, was recently enrolled at the Generations Ahead School. His story was published in the book entitled "Sharing Aboriginal Stories". In the story below, Cree is in italics. Cree is the translated language.

Drumming Traditional Knowledge

by Henry Earl Gardypie

My name is Henry Earl Gardypie. I am a Willow Cree from Beardy’s First Nation. And I am a great hunter.
Henry Earl Gardypie nitisikason. Nipisikopawiyiniw oma niya Beardy’s First Nation ohci. Misimaciwiyiniw oma niya.

We went to the Glen Scrimshaw Gallery. I seen an old bed that had no nails. It was put together with dowels.
Glen Scrimshaw Gallery niki tohtana. Ekota niwapaten mistikonipewin Namakikway sakahikana e-ohci apataki.

We went to the Duck Lake Museum. I learned how my ancestors hunted buffalo, and how the women used all the parts of the buffalo.
Duck Lake Museum niki tohtanan. Ekota kikiskeyiten tanisi Kimosominowak eki isi minahocik paskwaw mostoswa. Ekwa iskwewak kakiyaw eki apicitacik.

We went to Birch Cabin Forest. This is one of my hunting grounds. I hunt elk and moose there. I call for elk in mid-August and call for moos in mid-September. The last ones are deer in November. I get them at Lobstick Lake.
Birch Cabin Forest niki tohtanan. Ewako peyak ni macaw askis. Ni macitotawawak wincapak ekwa moswak ekota. Niki tohawak wincapak nantaw Opahowipisim. Ekwa niki tohawak moswak nantaw Nohcitowipisim. Iskweyac apisimosisiwak, nantaw Yikopiwipisim. Lobstick Lake niki kacitinawak.

We went to Our Lady Shrine Pilgrimage. I liked being with the Elders Irene Gamble and Josephine Gardypie. I cooked some fish there.
Our Lady Shrine Pilgrimage niki tohtanan. Nimiyoweyiten kete ayak Irene Gamble ekwa Josephine Gardypie. Kinisew ekota nikisiswaw.

We went to the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre. I seen a leather outfit with no thread.
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre niki tohtanan. Ekota ka wapataman pahkekino ayowinisa makikway asapap e apacihit.

At the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society I seen the atlatl that my ancestors used to hunt with. I also seen a stone bowl that was used for grinding food.
Nete Saskatchewan Archaeological Society niki wapaten atlatl ki mosominawak esa eki maciwakecik. Ekwa mina niwapaten asiniwiyakan, Eki sikwahahikakecik.

We went to Saskatoon. We went to the Government of Canada building. I went to fill out my residential school claim. I went to residential school from 1967 to 1969.
Saskatoon niki tohtanan. Government of Canada building niki tohtanan. Eki natopehwak nisoniyam. Niki kiskinowamakosin. Kiskinowamatokamikik 1967 iskok 1969.

We went to Batoche. I was really amazed how a small number of Aboriginals had to fight off a British force of thousands. I liked it when the Aboriginals disabled the Steamer North Cote.
Batoche niki tohtanan. Niki kiskeyiten eki cakawasisicik nehiyawak enotinacik misakamik simakanisa 1885. Nimiyoweyiten ek pihkonacik anih Osih North Cote.

My Culture-Task is to make a hand-drum. I have to make a drum-stick too.
Ni Nehiyaw-Atoskewin oma. Ka osihak misitikwaskikos ekwa pamanatik.

This is my hand drum finished. I will now have to learn a song. Soon I will make a big Pow-Wow drum.
Awita nimistikwaskikom. Piko ekwa kanikamoyan ni kiskeyiten. Nika osihaw misimistikwaskik wipac.