The Gift of Knowledge / Ttnúwit Átawish Nch’inch’imamí

Virginia Beavert , PhD, a member of the Yakama Nation and native speaker of Sahaptin, is a 2006 recipient of the Washington Governor's Heritage Award; 2007 Central Washington University Alumna of the Year; 2008 recipient of the Ken Hale prize of the Society for the Study of the Indigenous Languages of the Americas; and 2008 recipient of a Distinguished Service Award, University of Oregon. She has been a professor, director of the Sahaptin Language Program, and scholar-in-residence at Heritage University in Toppenish, Washington, on the Yakama Indian Reservation, since 1991. She is coauthor of Ichishkíin Sinwit Yakama / Yakima Sahaptin Dictionary (University of Washington Press, 2009).

"The Gift of Knowledge / Ttnuwit Atawish Nch'inch'imamâi is a treasure trove of material for those interested in Native American culture. Author Virginia Beavert grew up in a traditional, Indian-speaking household. Both her parents and her maternal grandmother were shamans, and her childhood was populated by people who spoke tribal dialects and languages: Nez Perce, Umatilla, Klikatat, and Yakima Ichishkâiin. Her work on Native languages began at age twelve, when she met linguist Melville Jacobs while working for his student, Margaret Kendell. When Jacobs realized that Beavert was a fluent speaker of the Klikatat language, he taught her to read and write the orthography he had developed to record Klikatat myths. After a stint in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, Beavert went on to earn graduate degrees in education and linguistics, and she has contributed to numerous projects for the preservation of Native language and teachings. Beavert narrates highlights from her own life and presents cultural teachings, oral history, and stories (many in bilingual Ishishkâiin-English format) about family life, religion, ceremonies, food gathering, and other aspects of traditional culture."--Provided by publisher.

List of Illustrations Map of Hunting, Fishing, and Food-Gathering Sites Preface Acknowledgments 1. The Culture That Made Me Who I Am Now / Inmí Tiinwít Wapíitat 2. My Story / Inmí Ttáwax¿t 3. Life Circles / Wyá'uyt Wä'íshwit 4. Experiences and Reflections / Pina'ititámat Wä'íshwit Conclusion / Wának¿'it Appendix: Guidance for Academic Researchers Ichishkíin-English Glossary References Index