Our October Native Word of the Month honors Every Child Matters Day, a National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Boarding Schools, which was recognized on September 30.
Residential schools impacted all Native people and the effects on our people, language and culture continue to this day. The day of remembrance is an opportunity to reflect on the history of residential schools, and remember the lost children, the survivors, and all those affected.
It is also a reminder of the importance of language revitalization and an opportunity to celebrate and use our language by proudly saying, “We remember you.”
Uxintr’ilniyh = We remember you all (Deg Xinag)
Saakkay enots’olneek = We remembered the children (Denaakk’e/Koyukon)
Translation by Susan Paskvan
Neets’elndéyh = We remember you (Dihthaad Xt’een Iin Aanděeg’/Tanacross)
Nitighijinish = We remember you (Dinak’i/ Upper Kuskokwim)
Nineegwaandaii = We remember you (Dinjii Zhuh K’yaa/Gwich’in)
For more translations, view our Native word of the month archives on the Foundation website.
We also invite you to access free online language-learning lessons by signing up for Doyon Languages Online! We currently have lessons available for Benhti Kokhut’ana Kenaga’ (Lower Tanana), Denaakk’e (Koyukon), Holikachuk and Dinjii Zhuh K’yaa (Gwich’in), as well as a special set of Hän lessons based on the work of the late Isaac Juneby. All interested learners may sign up and access the courses at no charge – sign up today!