Indigenous languages are grounded in the physical, social, and cultural landscape of communities. When individuals learn a language, they also learn to position themselves in the values and world views inherent to those communities. As researchers, this positioning is one of many ways to better understand an Indigenous perspective on health and wellbeing. This is just one of the many reasons why it is important to keep Indigenous languages active, because the language acts as a tool to ensure that the research centres Indigenous perspectives and strengths.

Various student researchers affiliated with the NT-NEIHR have worked with Indigenous interpreters in the Northwest Territories (NWT) as part of their research projects. Below is a list of words gathered from these projects. They are intended to act as a stepping stone for learners. This is an ongoing project, and is not meant to be a static reflection of the diverse range of languages that exist across the NWT. If you have words related to research and/or health and well-being that you would like to share, please reach out to dayeon.kim@mail.utoronto.ca!

Every Monday, a new word will be added to this bank! This resource is meant to help Indigenous health students and researchers alike to learn a little bit more about the Indigenous languages within the Northwest Territories. For a more comprehensive description of the Indigenous languages in the Northwest Territories, click here.

We would like to acknowledge and thank the work of Elizabeth (Sabet) Biscaye, who helped us translate and record the words in this bank.

Word of the Week:

Previous words:

Ɂatáina-u?

Language: Denesuline

English Translation: Are you well? (greeting)

Pronounciation: