Stay and listen
Educator teaches children Kanien’kéha at Mohawk School in Akwesasne. Taken in October 1985. (Credit: George Mully)
Story told by Allen Simon
For me, regardless of where I am, I will always talk in my Native language. There are people who enjoy listening to me speak in Mohawk and they stand there, genuinely interested. Some even ask if they can stay and continue listening.
They say, “We like the way you're talking.”
I tell them, “You’re welcome to stay; there’s nothing wrong with that.”
I believe I might be one of the few people in our community who does this. To me, it’s only natural to help others learn our language. If someone approaches me seeking assistance, whether they’re an elder or not, I’m more than willing to help.
They might ask me how to pronounce a word or what it means and I gladly assist them. After all, why should I keep this gift my Creator gave me all to myself?
My language is meant not just for me but also to help others. That’s the principle I live by and it aligns with my beliefs. To me, every person has a beating heart and that’s what truly matters.
Kanien'kéha version
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Kanien'kéha version ↓
Sewen'terón:tak tánon' sewatahónhsatat
Construction contract written in Kanien’kéha in October 1905. (Courtesy: Alex M. McComber)
Allen Simon Roká:raton
Tsi nì:'i, arenhátien ka' ní:ke's, tiokontáhkwen enkatewennón:tahkwe' tsi nikewennò:ten. Ionkwè:taien' ne ronon'wéskwani aionkwatahónhsatate' tsi Kanien'kéha wákhthare' tánon' tho rón:nete' kwah tokèn:'en thoti'nikonhratihénthos. Ótia'ke ki' enionkeri'wanón:tonhse' tóka' ken enwá:ton' enhonnè:sheke' tánon' ienhontahsónteren' ahontahónhsatate'.
Enhonnì:ron', "Iontion'wéskwani tsi ní:ioht tsi sáhthare'."
Enkhehró:ri', "Wakatshennón:ni aiesewen'terón:take', iah ki' thé:nen teiontié:ren."
Kwah í:kehre' ken' nitsatión:ha ken' niiakwaiéhrha' ne kanakerahserá:kon . Tsi nì:'i, kwah nek sha'oié:ra nakheié:nawa'se' akohrèn:shon aieweientéhta'ne' tsi nitewawennò:ten. Tóka' ónhka'k entionkwáttate' ne kaia'takehnháhtshera' iakéhsaks, tóka' tiakó:ien' tóka' ni' iah, akwah tho niwakerihò:ten akheié:nawa'se'.
Sewatié:rens enionkeri'wanón:tonhse' oh ní:tsi owén:na' enia'ì:ron' tóka' ni' oh nahò:ten' kén:ton tánon' tió:konte' wakatshennón:ni akheié:nawa'se'. Oh káti' nontié:ren í: khok akaterá:ko' kí:ken tsi nahò:ten' Shonkwaia'tíson' rakwá:wi?
Iah nek nì:'i tewaká:wen tsi nikewennò:ten nek tsi ne ò:ni' ahotiia'takéhnha' ne roniá'tia'ke. Nè:'e karihwakwe'ní:io khá:wi tsi ní:ioht si kónhnhe' tánon' eh tho karátie' tsi nahò:ten' tewakehtáhkwen. Tsi nì:'i, akwé:kon ón:kwe akawé:ri teiaonriáhkhwa' tánon' ne aonhà:'a tiorihowá:nen.
Translation by Sahawisó:ko’ Arquette