Day 57 - Naomi Jacko

tansi nitôtemak, Naomi Jacko nitisîyihkâson. nitôhcîn tahkâkamin sâkahikan askîhk ekwa kihci-okimâskwew âhpitawikosisânocenas.

Translation:
Hello friends, how are you? My name is Naomi Jacko. I am from Cold Lake First Nations and Elizabeth Settlement.

I begin by introducing myself in one of my native languages, as I find language revitalization an integral part of decolonization. Furthermore I believe it to be foundational to my own personal resurgence.

I am an Indigenous female, more specifically I am a Denesuline and Metis student, residing on lands designated under Treaty 6 territory. I feel it necessary to position myself in all the work I do.

Although I do not know you personally, I am grateful that you exist, and are reading this now. kinanâskomitin, thank you. I know I am not alone.

One of the most powerful parts of reconnecting with language is that, for me, every word I learn feels like medicine. Even now, writing this to you, feels healing.

There is a poem I wrote in nehiyawewin(Cree), I will share this with you:

nipimâcihewâw Naomi

(nee-pih-MAA-chih-hay-wah Naomi)

ninehiyawi-kiskinwahamâkosin

(nee-NEH-hee-yah-wee kees-KEEN-wah-hah-maa-koh-sin)

ninâpêhkâson

(nee-NAA-pay-kah-son)

nisôhkahtwân


(nee-SOH-kah-twahn)

nimiyweyihten ka-pimohtahoyân

(nih-mee-yweh-YEE-h-ten kah-pih-MOH-tah-hoh-yahn)

​
I revive Naomi

by re-learning to speak nehiyawewin

I am brave

l am resilient

My spirit is like a rainbow


In creating that, along with all else I learned, I can feel the strength of my ancestors speaking through me. Finally, speaking my language in a country[Canada] where it was prohibited for most of its history, gives me hope for our future.

ekosi maka

Naomi Jacko
Edmonton, Alberta