The Education of Little Tree: how linguists can help expose fake Indians

The other day I picked up a copy of The Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter; it’s a well-known fraud. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Education_of_Little_Tree) Let me show a linguist’s small contribution to the question of its authenticity.… Continue reading

This is what Old Testament Chinook is like

If you’re looking for a preacherly way to thunder at people in Chinook Jargon, you are in luck, comrade. Here’s how: Just like in English, you use outmoded ways of talking from long… Continue reading

Giving thanks in Chinuk Wawa

O nsaika drit yutl tomtom kopa nsaika tanas shako kopit sik. Nsaika wawa mirsi kopa ST kopa ukuk. “Oh, we’re really glad about our children recuperating. We thank God for it.”   …pi… Continue reading

Trial run of the Chinook Bible History, 5 years earlier

  5 years before it was published at Kamloops as a book, the Chinook Bible History in shorthand made a partial appearance in the Kamloops Wawa newspaper. At the end of one installment (KW#117, June… Continue reading

How many hearts? Ain’t no doubt.

Herewith, learn how the number of hearts ascribed to you in Chinook Jargon reveals your faith status. If you have blood coursing through your aorta yet, you will find this thrilling — and chillingly… Continue reading

More Haida Chinook songs

The last thing I posted on this topic was an all-time hit, for my site. (See ‘‘Mocking Haida song lyrics in Chinuk Wawa“.) Here’s more Haida Chinook songs: “Chinook Love Song” from Mrs.… Continue reading

Mystery: “sorts” in Kamloops Chinuk Wawa

I’m putting this up in hopes one of you will jar my brain with a clue: Where does the word “sorts” in Kamloops Chinuk Wawa come from? Discovering it in the Kamloops Wawa newspaper (#116… Continue reading

I’m Chief William of Sugarcane, and I’m talking to you chiefs as if you were in my house with me..

A chief uses his influence to persuade other Native leaders to modernize their people with Chinook literacy. Istir Sondi. Shugar Kin Naika Wiam taii kopa Shugar Kin Naika mamuk ukuk pipa kopa maika… Continue reading

Why Father St. Onge isn’t answering your Chinook letters…

<Rev. L.N. St Onge.> Aias lili iaka sik Pir Sint Onsh, kakwa wik kata iaka mamuk pipa kopa msaika. Iaka yutl tomtom kopa msaika. Tlus kanawi msaika mamuk hilp iaka kopa styuil. “For… Continue reading

4 Aboriginal letters from Spuzzum + North Bend

From Kamloops Wawa #115 (April 1894):