Words of Welcome

As we approach the one month mark before the start of the 21st annual American Indian Tourism Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, we look forrward to welcoming delegates from many of the sovereign nations around the United States.

With so many tourism professionals and cultural heritage experts in one place, we want to be sure to extend a warm welcome to our attendees in as many languages as possible.

We queried our tribal partners and other experts and asked how they say “Hello” or “Welcome” in their Native languages. (Thanks to all who participated, and as always, it’s never too late to submit your own additions.)

 

Abenaki Language, Penobscot Nation, Maine

I greet, welcome him	məpehkʷíhlαmα
Hello!	kkʷēyˊ

 

---

Alutiiq (Suqpiaq), Alaska

How are you? / Hello	Cama’i (Cha-My)
Thank you	Quyanaa (Coy-yana)

 

---

Arikara Language, Three Affiliated Tribes; Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation; North Dakota

Hello

Geed

 

---

Chickasaw, Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma

Hello

hallito

 

---

Cherokee, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, North Carolina

Hello

Siyo

 

---

Eyak Language, Eyak Village, Alaska

Hello	Iishuh
Welcome	Awa’ahdah aanda’IAXshA’a’chL

 

---

Hidatsa Language, Three Affiliated Tribes; Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation; North Dakota

Hello

Dosha-

 

---

Mahican Dialect, Stockbridge – Munsee Tribe of Wisconsin

How are you?	Koonumunthe
I am fine	Noonumunthe
Glad you made it to morning (When addressing a group, add “hima”)	Kwãapunuxeen
Glad you made it to evening (When addressing a group, add “hima”)	Koonnãakxeen
How are all of you?	Koonumutheʔmã

 

---

Mandan Language, Three Affiliated Tribes; Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation; North Dakota

Hello

Du shka sha-

 

---

Miccosukee Language, Seminole Tribe of Florida

How are you?; how’s it going? A form of greeting but the meaning varies depending on how it’s used

Che-hen-ta-mo?

 

---

Mohawk Language, Akwesasne (St. Regis Mohawk Tribe), New York

“Do you still have the Great Peace?”	“Shé:kon skennenkó:wa ken”
Today the greeting is shortened in Akwesasne	“Shé:kon!”

 

---

Northern Paiute, Nevada

How are you?

Hau u

 

---

Ojibwemowin (Ojibwe) Language; Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Wisconsin

Greeting	Boozhoo
Hello	Aanii

 

---

‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian Language)

Hello	Aloha
Welcome, to say to people	Welina
Welcome, as in a warm greeting	Heahea

 

---

Osage Nation, Oklahoma

Hello

Hawey

 

---

Shawnee, Shawnee Tribe, Oklahoma

Hello	Aho
Welcome	Picfako

 

---

Sugcestun Language, Eyak Village, Alaska

Hello	Camai
Welcome	Tai ggut itra

 

---

Twulshootseed, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Washington

How are you?	ʔəsx̌id čəxʷ
Good day	haʔł sləx̌il
We are joyful that you folks have arrived	ʔəsǰuʔil čəł ʔə ti sułəčilləp
We are joyful to see you folks	ʔəsǰuʔil čəł ʔə ti səslaʔbdubułəd

 

---

Unangax (Aleut) Language, St. Paul Island, Alaska

Hello & Welcome.

Aang (Pronounce like ‘song’)

 

Unangam tunuu (the Aleut language), Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, Alaska

Hello & Welcome.	Aang
Hello.	Aang Aang

 

Note: The words and phrases in this post were provided by members of the tribes listed. Spellings and translations may vary. Some words may be missing accents or symbols due to limited characters on a keyboard.

We’re happy to add your language and/or hear corrections and suggestions on spellings and translations, so feel free to contact us at info@aianta.org.

Year of Indigenous Languages

Learn more about the year of Indigenous Languages and view more posts in AIANTA’s Native Greetings series here.

 

Photo credits: Top image: Oneida Nation of Wisconsin; Canoe image: Tulalip Tribes.