Native American Culture - Language: the Key to Everything | Ron (Muqsahkwat) Corn, Jr. | TEDxOshkosh

One of the most significant losses to the Native American culture is the loss of the indigenous language. This talk addresses the need to revitalize the Menominee Native American language.

NOTE: The opening and closing moments of this talk are spoken in the endangered Menominee language, currently understood by only a few dozen people worldwide. English subtitles have been provided, and should appear soon after the video is posted. English translations of those segments follow:

-----------Opening-----------
My fellow Menominee, all my relations and everyone who is present here. Thank you I say to all of you for gathering here. Now I will speak a little...

I am from the land of the Menominee and I am Bear clan. My grandmother comes from Keshena, Enae:mae:hku:kiw is my mother, Ne:powew-awae:hsaeh is my father, Mahwae:hsaeh is my brother, Ne:pen-a:nakwatu:kiw is my sister. My wife is Awae:hse:saeh and we have 5 children. First born is Omiyosokwewo-opimohtet, then my daughter Waqseci:wan, my son Ci:na:nakwat and also my daughter Nani:maqowiakiw. My last born is Maeqnakwahku:kiw I also have one grandson: he is Powehkaneh.

-----------Closing-----------
When I think about what it means to be Menominee I know that learning our language did a lot for me. As we continue into the future we must remember our ancestors, our fellow living beings, and those still to come in the future. All my relations, that is it.

Ron (Muqsahkwat) Corn, Jr. is a member of the Menominee Nation, a nation with a history in what is now called Wisconsin, that goes back farther than any other modern group of people.

[waitahawhat]

“It is you I love” instead of “I love you.” Wow. So simple yet so powerful.

[the.reel.mccoy.]

Such a beautiful culture and language. After taking my Native American Literature class, I have found no language more beautiful sounding.

[genevricella]

So incredibly moving. Muqsahkwat is bursting with pride and joy in sharing his language. and we should celebrate this in all speakers of endangered languages. I have been a student of languages all my life and I really appreciate the urgency in the need to protect his language and the soul of the Menominee people. 🙏🏼

[TheJesusNerd]

Glad to see the revitalization of our native languages. I'm trying to learn Kickapoo, my tribal language. Its not easy but it's worth it.

[eloievaldovinos]

Náhuatl: NITZLAZOTLA MIEC! TLAZOCAMATI NOTLAYI
(English: I love this a lot thank you uncle)

[dreamer]

What a powerful, moving, inspiring talk. Magnificent. He is a very impressive person; it was wonderful to hear him speak in his language, to hear his story, to see his pride, and amazing to see him wearing indigenous-designed clothing.

[charlessnortley]

Boozhoo indizhinikaaz Miskobenaise. Thanks for highlighting our people. As we say in the Midwest lake superior, Minnesota territory Ojibwe Land, Anishinabe (The Original People/One Nation) we are glad to see a OshKosh Ogichidaag up here showing these people an allowing your story to do the Educating. As all elders an warriors do, we all have similar stories. Luckily for me I grew up on the rez an moved to Minneapolis. So many people say "Where are you from? Omg your handsome you resemble a Bruno Mars type of guy." Mind you I'm 235lbs 6'1 like many of our people on the rez. We literally have to explain ourselves to some people who grew up prejudice an thinking because they have not seen a native so therefore, they treat us like history books an icons/Mascots... I had so many people an women come around me because of the stuff our elders taught us, stories told to us make us literally interesting to other people who didn't grow up seeing or hearing of traditional native Americans. The city natives even made fun of me for being "Rezzed out"... but all there girlfriends an mommas saying I was so respectful an helping. I now hear the word simp. Because I still treat women how I would want my mother treated... some of our values literally got to be taught from the day we Start learning an talking. I knew the words bizaan an maagon (be quiet an Go then) ...

[_HXHfan]

save them, native Americans are precious

[dreamwalkerleah]

The way natives are treated makes my soul cry.

[kaoskewenvoyouma]

In my JR High Native American "Studies" classes, our teacher was Ms. Kiyanii. We always used to tease each other. And come to find out She was a classmate and friend ov my father. So then that made even more sweeter to teaser. R.I.P. MS. KIYANII. And to my other Native relatives, young or old, it's never too late to learn your langauge. It's like the ABCs. I'm still learning myself.

[menom]

Wow, absolutely LOVE your Ribbon-shirt here Ron!!! LOVE this video and all that is said within it!!! Well done Sir!!! :)

[sherrcorn]

Nepaeqtaenesem neköqsemahsaeh Mūqsahkwat. Kēs-kēkētow anom kāēc-onaet wēhcekanan. tahnāēnoh kēsekat kocēqtah kīketinon māēnawac omāêqnomenēw wēhcekanan.
ahpāēnenew enes netāēheh Mùqsahkwat, ketāpanen .
Kemēh

[oliviaarteaga]

I would love to learn all types of Native American language

[matts]

Wow, idk how i ended up here but that language sounds so soothing and calming.

[karlanpenass]

Great job Ronco! I knew I was alwayz proud to be Menominee but this video makes me hold my head a bit higher

[jeffaholics]

This is amazing, can’t say enough how much I salute the efforts.

[HospitalForSouls.X]

I am currently learning about cultures from around the world...I'm doing a personal art project where I will create drawings for every culture and tradition, in order to celebrate the many aspects of our people on earth. But I want to learn because I don't just want to contribute to stereotypes. What I want is to bring honor to people.

[mannamedisaak]

We got to keep this language life it’s beautiful

[aowens]

Thank you from Ireland. Really enjoyed learning your story.

[angeltenorio]

So beautiful ❤, I’m from Mexico and I’m still searching who can teach me my native language. My grandfather new how to sing he died at 23 before he could teach any of his kids.. so we lost it.