This is How We Gather

Every September, AIANTA produces the American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC), a gathering of tribal enterprises, Native-owned businesses and tourism professionals from around the country.

“Dreams gather quickly like Spring crows, and they scatter.”

~Simon Ortiz (Pueblo of Acoma), Poet
Woven Stone (Sun Tracks)

We queried our tribal partners and other language experts and asked how they say “Gathering” in their Native languages.

(Thanks to all who participated, and as always, it’s never too late to submit your own additions.)

‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian Language)

Formal gathering, like a conference	ʻaha
Informal gathering, or to gather	hui
Gathering in celebration	hoʻolauleʻa

Seneca Language, Seneca Nation, Salamanca, New York

They go about gathering

hadi:es (haw-dee-ays)

Tlingit, Alaska

We are gathered together; refers to people assembling, congregating, gathering together, etc. for some form of meeting

woosh kaanáx̱ wutuda.aadí

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: Male dancers (c) Oneida Nation; Snow Mountain Pow Wow (c) Las Vegas Paiute Tribe.