The Burt Lake (Cheboiganing) Band of Ottawa and Chippewa

This language was graciously contributed by George (Jaach) Trudeau.

~~Birch bark words / phrases: Wiigwaasi Kidawinan~~

Birch bark: wiigwaas

White birch tree: waabshki wiigwaas mtig

Birch sap: wiigwaas waaboo

(Containers) Boxes: mkakoonh’san

Note: Around the time when the ‘Lady Slipper’ flowers bloom, it is ready for harvesting wiigwaas. There should be a sound of cracking or crackling noise when checking to harvest wiigwaas.

Breaking the birch bark with hands: giishkaakbinin wiigwaas

(Harvesting) Peeling birch bark off the tree: bnagaakbinin wiigwaas

Cracking birch: pkweshkaa wiigwaas

~~The Art of Native Craft Making: mookadaaskeng~~

Cradleboards: ndiknaagan

Birch bark quill boxes: gaawyikeng mkakoonh’san

To cover lodges / homes: gbahgeng wiigwaman

Making a small fire: zhitoong mshkode

Birch bark canoes: wiigwaasi jiimaanan

Small birch bark teepees: wiigwaasi tiipii’san

~~Sewing Materials: Shkigwaasi mookdaaskeng~~

Sinew: datagwaabiinhs

Black Spruce Root: mkade gaawaandg jiibik

Basswood: wiigbiish

~~Climate Related words / phrases: e zhiwebak kidawinan~~

Bronze birch borer) Darn insect killing many birch trees:
minidoo’ish nisan niibina wiigwaas mtigoon

The climate has really changed today (global warning) ii’ose zhiwebat nangwa

Mother Earth: shkagamik kwe

Spring: mnookami

Wind: noodin

Winds of change: aandaanmat
Climate of atmosphere (climate in the heavens) e zhiwebak giizhigong

Life of cycles on this earth: aanke zhiwebat maanpii kiing