Ojibwe Language

Marcus Ammesmaki taught students how to introduce themselves in Ojibwe. He included a greeting

“aaniin” or  “boozhoo” (Hello)

or “manidoo mahiingan in-dizh-in-ikaan-digoo.”+  (Marcus’s name is spirit wolf)

boozhoo- reference to nanaboosh (traditional character in all ojibwe stories)

 

“makwa nin doondem” (I am bear clan)*

“mikinakak nin doondem” (I am turtle clan)*

“migizi nin doondem”  (I am eagle clan)*

“ma’ iingan nin doondem”* (I am wolf clan)*

“waa-bizh-eshi nin doondem”* (I am martin clan)*

If a person does not know their clan they must say

“gaawiin mashi ingi-keni-maasiin indoodem.”+ ( I don’t yet know my clan.)

“niin (your name) (n)indizhinikaaz”* (My name is (your name before or after the whole phrase)).

“indigoo”# (your name or nick name)

(I am called this (your name) – this is what I go by)

He also introduced himself by his clan, which happened to be wolf.

“manidoo mahiingan in-dizh-in-ikaan-digoo.”+  (My name is spirit wolf)

 

If a person does not know their clan they must say

“gaawiin mashi ingikenimaasiin indoodem.”+ ( I don’t yet know my clan.)

 

In the Ojibwe Waasa-Inaabidaa dictionary it also says

“boozhoo” or “aaniin” (Hello)

When you introduce yourself you would say

“niin (your name) (n)indizhinikaaz”* (My name is (your name before or after the whole phrase)).

 

“indigoo”# (your name or nick name)

(I am called this (your name) – this is what I go by)

 

*Fond du Lac

+Grand Portage/Michigan

#Mille Lacs