wemistikôsiw
The English phrase "white person" is wemistikôsiw in Cree.
wemistikôsiw is used to refer to a person with light skin, typically of European descent.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of wemist (white) and the suffix -ikôsiw (a person/being).
Did you know?
- The word wemistikôsiw contains a root that refers to the color 'white', but in some contexts, it can be associated with the concept of 'snow' or 'brightness'.
- In some traditional contexts, descriptors for people of European descent refer to their arrival from across the sea rather than the color 'white'.
- Because Cree is a verb-centric language, the term functions more like saying someone 'is white' rather than simply using a static noun for 'a white person'.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new neighbor.
- AKî-itâwa nîyâ kî-niyâmaw?Ki-itawa niya ki-niyamâw?Did you meet the new person?
- BÊyê, wemistikôsiw nîyâ kî-itâwa.Eye, wemistikôsiw niya ki-itawa.Yes, I met a white person.
- AKî-isîyêna kî-itâwak?Ki-isiyena ki-itawak?Was he friendly?
- BÊyê, kî-itâwa wî-itâswê.Eye, ki-itawa wi-itaswe.Yes, he seemed like he wanted to help.
