This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to persons living or dead is either coincidental or expressed consent was authorized where similarities exist. The story depicts graphic scenes and is intended for 14A audiences. All events are loosely based on stories, opinions, and experiences of selective Aboriginal youth in Calgary. This graphic novel is not to be sold for profit by USAY or any other persons, however donations can be made at www.usay.ca. Several dialects of Blackfoot exist; only one dialect is represented in this work. Traditional Blackfoot legends, stories, and characters inspired the artists and storywriter. This work is intended to be used as a language-learning tool, which should be combined with other resources to be effective in producing a proficient speaker. Readers are encouraged to consult fluent speakers to learn more about pronunciation and stress patterns. Readers should also consult USAY's online Blackfoot eLearning language tool at www.usay.ca for further language development. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without written permission of USAY. For information regarding permission please call 403.233.8225. Copyright Š 2012 Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth ISBN - 978-0-9869058-2-7
Funding generously provided by: Canadian Heritage Aboriginal Peoples Program - Aboriginal Language Initiative
Story by: Marshall Leigh George Translated by: Sandra Manyfeathers
Character inspiration
principal photography
ben carlos pipestem
elodie caron
shayla jade oulette
james ireland
piita manyfeathers
monty bigsky
Rachel gonzalez graphic design
karmen akkerman
amanda peltier
leeanne ireland
john medeiros
tricia veer
myish nanji
joseph greyeyes steven tailfeathers
special illustrations
john medeiros
mitchell poundmaker
megan wells
cory keewatin
creative director john medeiros publisher urban society for aboriginal youth
Moh kin st sis 2135 Ni pay ta pi sini Ah kiy oh ki tsi (Calgary 2135, Life is not the same)
Ano ksahko ah ka kso way ksima (The World is that of prey)
Kii Ak sk imaks (And of hunters)
Ano Ksah ko, ma matapi Ak sina sak sks ii nim Ki tak eks kim (In this world, one must try to remember you can be hunter one moment)
Kitak aks kim ookow (Prey the next)
Tok skas kitak sto waps (But sometimes you get lucky)
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Ika tap iya (THEY USED TO BE HUMAN)
Anohk ah kih yoh kit si Opai ta pi sin (Now they are something else, something more primal)
Ii tapoh kin niy ah Oh to mi ksim staan (Driven by Instinct)
Kii ot sit so kins (and hunger)
Ima tai pon ah ki ya (insatiable hunger)
ahhhhhhhh!
Maa toh ko yoh ki tsi ano ksistiko, Ak sin aat oh tsis it ap iyopa kat sii ksi, Ni tak tsis, tay isoh kip Apinakos. (Nothing new today, have to settle for roots again. I will try again tomorrow.)
Nits ksin ip kita kanisto tsip Ninna, Kitsikakomim.
(I know you will do it father. I love you.)
Apinakos
(Tomorrow...)
mist ap oh toon is (next day)
oki
(hello)
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Pah ts api Ni tak om ah ta po. (Sorry, I’ll go now.)
arooooooooooo!
taka tsis amohk aki? (Who is she?)
maat api akoh oh spo moh wahs. (someone in need.)
Ni kow ah kahs. (i'm hurt.)
Ni tak sina spom ow kow. (I need help.)
Ma at sit amo, Ita poot ni nit ah koh saat sis. (take this, go to my ship.)
Ki kiy ist a po Ma Ninna! (your dead, man!)
Kita ks im stak. (you wish.)
Ah kai to to Ki ahk it sit ah po kaahs. (time to go to grandpas.)
SA!
(no!)
nitakit! (move it!)
oh ma ahs Ikik skin ap sim. (grandpa is so boring.)
Ki tiy yiy yis tsis pa? (are you listening?)
sigh..
Kik esk oot ow? (you're back?)
Kii pohk tsi tsin ii koh kit Nii piis kaan? (Would you tell me about the buffalo jump?)
Ain ni Ik ska so kapi (that is so cool)
Ki ksis kow aan oon iks Anist oh tsim amo? (our ancestors did that?)
Knock, knock
Talon, tsiki! (talen, my boy!)
Ni koh kom ihk! (i got one!)
Tsah toa sists amois tsi? (what about these?)
Ni tak oh koot aan ist oh tsip ainni. (we can do that.)
Ki pohk Isk sin it Ki pai ta pi sin oon isk oh tsik. (please remember the old ways.)
Ii kaam oh tsi pi ya Noh pa piks, Ki tak oh kot tsi kaam oh tsi pi Koh pa piks. (they have saved my people. they can save yours.)
Amo ki to kak sin Ki tak stoon at si pip yoko (a little knowledge can go a long way)