How Indian Country Says I Love You
Artwork used with permission by the artist,
TJ Young (Sgwaayaans) of the Kaigani Haida Nation
Since February is the month of romance, we thought we’d query our members, partners and friends to see how they’ll be expressing their affection this season.
With 574 federally recognized tribes, Native Hawaiians and even more state-recognized tribes throughout the country–each with their own distinctive cultures and languages – it’s no surprise that there are endless ways to say “I love you!”
Here are just a few:
Alutiiq Language, Alaska
Qunukamken — I love you
Chickasaw, Oklahoma
Chiholloli — I love you
Diné, Navajo, Arizona/New Mexico
Ayóó’áníínísh’ní — I love you
Klamath-Modoc, Oregon
Moo ‘ams ni stinta — I love you
Mahican Dialect, Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe of Wisconsin
Aʔwãandowãakun — Love
Ktaʔwãanin — I Love You
Mohawk, New York
Konnorónhkwa — I love you
Nimiipuutimpt, Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho
In ‘ee hetewise — I love you
Northern Paiute, Nevada
Nu Soopeda U — I love you
Pesa Nasoopedyadu — Loved
Ojibwa/Bad River Ojibwe, Wisconsin
Gizaagiin — I love you
‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian Language), Hawai‘i
Aloha au iā ‘oe — I love you
Oneida Tribe, Wisconsin
Kunoluhkwa — I love you
Pueblo of Acoma, Acoma Keres dictionary, New Mexico
Thro sii muu — You are dear to me
Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico
Eee-peinoom — I love you
Pueblo of Laguna, Laguna Keres dictionary, New Mexico
Amuu-thro-maa — I love you
Guuts’imi — He/she loves him/her
Pueblo of San Felipe, San Felipe Keres dictionary, New Mexico
Shro- tse-mah — I love you
Pueblo of Zuni, New Mexico
‘Ho’doh’ee’cheht’mah — I love you
Salish, Washington
k? hin x?menc? — I love you
Seneca Tribe, New York
gönóöhgwa’ — I love you
Tlingit, Alaska
Ixsixán — I love you
I daat axajóon — I’m dreaming of you
Ax x’éit yees.á — Kiss me
Tunica, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana
Ma ihkmahka — I love you (to a male)
Hɛma ihkmahka — I love you (to a female)
Twulshootseed, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Washington
ʔuʔušəbicid čəd — I have compassion/unconditional love for you (Non-romantic love)
cay čəxʷ dsx̌aƛ’ — I very much desire you. ‘I love you.’ (Romantic love)
Editor’s Note
The words and phrases in this post were provided by members of the Tribes listed. Spellings and translations may vary, and some words may be missing accents or symbols due to keyboard configurations. We’re happy to add your language and/or hear corrections and suggestions on spellings and translations, so please feel free to contact us at info@aianta.org.