W8BANAKI PILASKW odanak ABeNAKI newspaper VOLUME 15 - NUMBER 3 fall 2020 rapidly changing world, life must continue. sovereign rights to this land is often being How do we interact and continue the very threatened not only by government but also important work of reform within our nation? by other nations encroaching on what is our Groups such as “Reforming the Abenaki nation’s ancestral territories. Our lands office, Circle” are called upon to be creative in the the Ndakina Office, has worked diligently to efforts to continue this important process. As ensure this process is followed closely. Abenaki people our capacity to adapt is being called upon. It is difficult, but not impossible We at council support these efforts and will to continue to build our community. We are continue to lead the discussions and relying more and more on technology to meet negotiations with other nations and and deal with sensitive issues that can government. jeopardize the stability and sustainability of our nation for future generations. Here in the community, our current project of creating new streets and the infrastructure to This pandemic is forcing us to reflect on our continue to build houses is nearing its end. limited resources and how we as a nation We now have the space to build in the area of choose to use them in a way that will sustain 30 new houses for our young families wishing us now and well into the future. to either remain or return to the community to raise their families. In loosing a dear friend, brother and teacher, Chief Joe Norton, I am made to think about We continue to grow. As a collective we can just how short life is. Although his legacy will continue to do what is necessary to leave a remain the driving force of those he left strong foundation for the generations to come. Word from the Chief behind, his work at this crucial time was indispensable. He will be missed! Kwaï fellow band members, In peace and friendship, We continue to work hard to ensure our voice These are very trying times. With all of us is heard and recognized as the stewards of doing our best to deal with the adjustments our lands. We have but little lands where our needed to live our lives in the midst of a people thrived as a nation in the past. Our Chief Rick O’Bomsawin Word from Councillors In addition, we are awaiting a bid for work to replace the gantry located in the front, facing the river. We also received a bid for the renovation of the heart of the church. However, the work was postponed considering that the front wall and the gantry are a priority. Minor repairs were done to the parish priest's home. ALAIN O'BOMSAWIN CLAIRE O'BOMSAWIN Councillor On the health side, the “mini- Councillor emergency service” project, which was scheduled to open in Kwaï everyone, However, the date for the September at the Coopérative de Kwaï, resumption of normal activities Solidarité et de Santé Shooner- for the seniors of the Jauvin, has been postponed until As you can imagine, no community has not yet been around the first quarter of 2021. activities have been organized determined. We will inform you I hope you were able to enjoy the summer despite the pandemic for seniors in recent months due as soon as it has been set. to the Covid-19 pandemic. and its many limitations. Please note that this service will Until then, I wish you a nice end be accessible to all Odanak The first post-confinement of summer and a beautiful As for the community church, residents, whether or not you are activity was held in mid-August beginning of fall filled with painting work on the roof is a cooperative member. and was a corn roast. I would health and love. expected to be started or like to thank everyone who completed, while other work will Wli Wni participated in this event. It was See you next time! be done on the front of the good to get together after all building to make the wall this time. weatherproof. Alain O’Bomsawin Claire O’Bomsawin 2 Word from Councillors to respond to the expectations and and federal governments over who “Jordan's Principle”. demands of the population to the would pay for his specific care. extent that our capacities allow us Another magnificent production to do so given the situation we are Jordan River died at the age of 5 by Alanis Obomsawin. facing. without having received the recommended services he needed. Recently, as part of the Présence The years that followed were a autochtone 2020 festival, I had the long legal and political battle that privilege of attending the screening led to the creation of “Jordan's of Ms. Alanis Obomsawin's Principle” in 2007 in memory of documentary film at the Montreal this little boy who was a victim of FLORENCE BENEDICT Museum of Fine Arts. the discriminatory and colonial Councillor government system of the day. Kwaï, For those unfamiliar with Jordan's Principle by definition: *It is to Fall is already around the corner ensure that all First Nations children and the last few months have been living in Canada can access the difficult for everyone; with the products, services and supports confinement, restrictions, manda- they need, when they need them. tory mask wearing, social Funding can help with a wide range distancing and so on! In spite of of health, social and educational everything, summer was finally, needs, including needed supports let's say, almost normal. The sun for First Nations LGBTQ and Two- and the heat did not disappoint. Spirit youth. With all of our employees Among those present in the room at At any time, you can contact the teleworking, essential services the time of the presentation, we Odanak Health Centre for more were maintained. I would like to noted the presence of Alanis information about the Jordan's take this opportunity to salute Obomsawin, filmmaker, as well as Principle program at 450 568-6766. their work and their daily efforts to Ms. Cindy Blackstock, a great meet the needs of the Nation's Gitxsan activist and Executive In conclusion and according to the members since the onset of this “JORDAN RIVER ANDERSON, Director of the First Nations Child last updates, we did not have any pandemic. the Messenger” is a 65-minute and Family Caring Society who is Covid-19 cases in our community, which means that the measures I would also like to mention that documentary that tells the story of fighting for the well-being of decreed by the governments have the Musée des Abénakis as well as a child from Norway House Cree children and who played a very been effective for our community. the “Awikhiganigamikok” library Nation in Manitoba who was born important role in this battle with the with multiple disabilities and his government for the recognition and have reopened their doors to the Let's continue in this direction, with family who found themselves application of Jordan's Principle, general public since July 13, to respect for others. Let's not let up! everyone's delight. caught in the middle of one of whose dedication to this cause we these jurisdictional disputes (*by can clearly see in the documentary. Take care of yourselves and we'll Life is slowly but surely returning definition, the jurisdictional dispute talk again after the holidays. to normal and we hope that the arose because different levels of Much more than a political and Council offices will reopen very government fund different services legal battle, this documentary Wliwni soon. We continue to attend the for First Nations children, especially recounts the collateral damage of weekly meetings as elected those living on-reserve). This led to an entire family leading up to the *Source Wikipedia. representatives of the Nation and disputes between the provincial completion and application of Short Column on the Abenaki Language In this issue, I will discuss THE FORMAT ION OF THE PLURAL OF ANIMAT ED NOUNS. Since indefinite and definite articles do not exist in Abenaki, the singular of a noun, such as tree, designates a tree as well as the tree and the plural of trees. 1. As a general rule, to form the plural of ANIMATED nouns, "ak" 3. For names ending with "em", add "ok". is added to the plural. Woman Phanem Phanemok Tre e Abazi Abaziak We also add "ok" to all names ending with "akw or agw" and Eagle Mgezo Mgezoa "skw or sgw". To form these nouns in the plural. Replace the Snake Skok Skokak Frog Chegwal Chegwalak "w" with an "o". Wowaron Agbalam Agbalamak Cod Nokamagw Nokamagok Bread Ab8n Ab8nak Kid Aw8ssis Aw8ssisak Groundhog Agaskw Agaskok Wave (on the water) Te g w Te g w ak Flea Pabikw Pabikwak 4. For names ending with "ad or id", the "d" is removed and re- Kettle Kokw Kokwak placed by "jik". Skunk Seg8gw Seg8gwak Baker Nodab8nkad Nodab8nkajik 2. For names ending in "a" or "8", simply add "k". Widower Sigwid Sigwijick Homme San8ba San8bak 1 Chef S8gm8 S8gm8k Excerpt from the book INITIATION À LA GRAMMAIRE ABÉNAKISE, Monique Nolett-Ille, Odanak, 2006. 3 Word from Councillors 1. Generate a movement of - Draw a real, sincere and traditions and our spirituality for positive and constructive actual portrait of the personal and monetary purposes. cultural affirmation Abenaki nation about our Many of these people claim to be identity, social, cultural and our allies, they have sneaked into 2.