During our Indigenous Peoples Day Assembly, our lower school gathered to honor the land where we learn and the Abenaki people. We read a Mohawk Prayer of Thanksgiving (below), burned sweetgrass, and made an offering of Abenaki corn that we grew in our school garden. Caleb roasted potatoes for the whole school to enjoy.
Wliwni! Abenaki for thank you.
“Ohenton Kariwatehktwen Teithinonwaratonkhwa”
Kanian’Kehaka (Mohawk) Prayer of Thanksgiving: A Good Morning Message/Prayer
Akwekon onkweshona entitewatkawe ne kanonhweratonhtsera.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Ohnekashona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Ohtonteshona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Kakhwashona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Kahishona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Ononhkwashona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Kontirio.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Karontashona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Otsitenokona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Kaieri Nikawerake.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Ahsonhthenhneka Karahkwa.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Tshitewahtsia Karahkwa.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Otsistohkwashona.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Kaieri Niionkwetake.
Teithinonwaratonkhwa ne Shonkwaiatison.
English Translation:
To be a human is an honor, and we offer thanksgiving for all the gifts of life.
Mother Earth, we thank you for giving us everything we need.
Thank you deep blue waters around Mother Earth, for you are the force that takes thirst away from all living things.
We give thanks to green, green grasses that feel so good against our bare feet, for the cool beauty you bring to Mother Earth’s floor.
Thank you, good foods from Mother Earth, our life sustainers, for making us happy when we are hungry.
Fruits and berries, we thank you for your color and sweetness.
We are thankful to good medicine herbs, for healing us when we are sick.
Thank you, all the animals of the world, for keeping our precious forests clean.
All the trees of the world, we are thankful for the shade and warmth you give us. Thank you all the birds in the world, for signing your beautiful songs for all to enjoy.
We give thanks to you gentle Four Winds, for bringing clean air for us to breathe from the four directions.
Thank you, Grandfather Thunder Beings, for bringing rains to help all living things grow.
Elder Brother Sun, we send thanks for shining your light and warming Mother Earth.
Thank you Grandmother Moon, for growing full every month to light the darkness for children and sparkling waters.
We give you thanks, twinkling stars, for making the night sky so beautiful and sprinkling morning dew drops on the plants.
Spirit Protectors of our past and present we thank you for showing us ways to live in peace and harmony with one another.
And most of all, thank you Great Spirit, for giving us all these wonderful gifts, so we will be happy and healthy every day and every night.
Translation by Chief Jake Swamp
