Thread by @upstephanie

A Pronunciation Guide for Edmonton’s Ward Names

A Thread

I would like to acknowledge that the wards are part of Treaty 6 Territory, a traditional meeting ground for many Indigenous communities, including the Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Blackfoot and the Métis Peoples.

This guide is merely to help pronounce the Indigenous words. It is intended to educate respectfully, not teach the language. Please, at the very least, find out what the names mean. The first link posted includes short video clips on each ward. Watch them. Please.

Let’s start with the name for all of it. Edmonton is known as Amiskwaciwâskahikan in Cree (Nehiyawewin).

A
Missk
Watchey
Woss
Sky
Gan

I’ve included the wards in the order they are listed on this @CityofEdmonton website. edmonton.ca/city_governmen…

I’m following the pronunciation of the recordings made by Indigenous Peoples that are on the above mentioned website. I’m not using the phonetic guide.

Nakota Isga

Nah
Ko
Tah

E
Ska

Anirniq

Ah
Nil
Nuk

Tastawiyiniwak

Tass
Tah
Ween
Ah
Wuck

Dene

Deh
Nay

O-day’min

This one has 2 prononciations I’ve heard.

Oh
Day
Min

OR

Oh
Day
Ah
Min

Métis

May
Tea

sipiwiyiniwak

C
P
Ween
Oh
Walk

papastew

Pah
Pah
Stay
Oh

pihêsiwin

P
Hay
Sah
Win

ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi

E
P
Kokanee
Peeoh (like a stormtrooper shot)
Tsi (slight prononciation of the t, like the 2nd half of the word shih tzu)

Karhiio

Gara (hard g, as in gold)
Hee
Yoh

The audio clip sounds like you can roll the r in Gara ever so slightly, but I don’t think anyone would care if you do that or not.

Sspomitapi

Ssspoh (extra emphasis on the additional s)
Me
Tah
P

If you read them all, thank you for taking the time.

May each name become as respected and shared with pride by the citizens who live there. #YegVote #YegCC #Yeg