ᑭᐢᑭᓄᐦᐊᒫᑐᐏᑲᒥᐠ
kiskinohamâtowikamik
The Cree word for school is ᑭᐢᑭᓄᐦᐊᒫᑐᐏᑲᒥᐠ (kiskinohamâtowikamik).
This noun refers to an institution dedicated to teaching and learning.
Meaning: an institution dedicated to teaching and learning (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
It literally means "the place where they are taught".
Is it said differently in some regions?
The formal term is used in the Plains Cree dialect spoken in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
How do you pronounce it?
kiskinohamâtowikamik
Did you know?
- Because the word contains the root for 'teaching each other', it implies a communal or reciprocal process of learning rather than just a one-way lecture.
- The syllabic writing system used for ᑭᐢᑭᓄᐦᐊᒫᑐᐏᑲᒥᐠ was developed in the 19th century and is designed to be learned much faster than the Latin alphabet.
- In some Cree communities, the concept of 'school' is traditionally linked to 'land-based learning', where the 'place of teaching' is the natural environment rather than a building.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking to class together.
- Aᑕᐘᐄ ᑭᐢᑭᓄᐦᐊᒫᑐᐏᑲᒥᐠ ᐄᐏᐄ?tâ-yô kispina-ma-tô-ikamik ê-yô?Is the school nearby?
- Bᐄ, ᐄᐏᐄ ᑭᐢᑭᓄᐦᐊᒫᑐᐏᑲᒥᐠ ᐄᐏᐄ.î, ê-yô kispina-ma-tô-ikamik ê-yô.Yes, the school is nearby.
- Aᓂᐧᐏᐄ ᐄᐏᐄ.nî-yô ê-yô.I am going now.
