In 2012-2013 I travelled to several remote First Nations communities around British Columbia to do hands-on mathematical activities with elementary school kids and teachers. Math Catcher, which provided the free math presentations, has also born several mathematical stories about a young boy, named Small Number, that have been translated into Aboriginal languages from across Canada. I have embedded all of Small Number’s stories and translations here (updated 31 August 2016) for your ears to enjoy the sound of these languages.

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Small Number Counts to 100

Written by Veselin Jungic & Mark MacLean Illustrated by Simon Roy.

Original English.

Apsch Akichikiwan akichikeet isko mitatomitano. Cree Translation by Barry Cardinal.

Poksskaaksini Kiipipo Ito’tokstakiiwa. Blackfoot Translation by Connie Crop Eared Wolf and Eldon Yellowhorn.

Small Number and the Old Canoe

Written by Veselin Jungic & Mark MacLean Illustrated by Simon Roy

Original English.

Small Number and the Old Canoe: Squamish. Squamish Translation by T'naxwtn, Peter Jacobs of the Squamish Nation.

Skwi’ikwexam Qes te Wet’ot’e Slexwelh. Halq'eméylem Translation by Siyamiyateliyot, Kwelaxtelot, and Kwosel, Seabird Island First Nation.

šɛ nuxʷɛɬ hɛga Mɛnaθey. Sliammon Translation by Mabel Harry, Karen Galligos, and Oshelle from the Sliammon Nation.

Gadim G̱an g̱anhl W̓ii Mm̓aal. Nisga'a Translation by Hlguwilksihlgum Maaksgum Hlbin (Emma Nyce), Ksim Git Wil Aksnakw (Edna Nyce-Tait), and Wilp Sim’oogit Hleeḵ (Allison Nyce).

Háusayáyu'u du glwa. Heiltsuk Translation by Constance Tallio and Evelyn Windsor.

ʔanaḥʔis Huksyuu ʔuḥʔiš qiickʷiiʔaƛʔi č̓apac. Huu-ay-aht Translation by Benson Nookemis from the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Nation.

Small Number and the Old Canoe. Hul'q'umi'num' Translation by Ruby Peter (Sti’tum’at).

Small Number and the Basketball Tournament

Written by Veselin Jungic, SFU, and Mark MacLean, UBC Illustrated by Jean-Paul Csuka, Canada

Original English.

APSCH AKICHIKIWAN IKWA KAMISIKTIT KOSKEWNTOWAN METAWEWINA. Cree Translation by Barry Cardinal from Bigstone Cree Nation.

Poksskaaksini Itsinssiwa Ki’tsa’komootsiisini. Blackfoot Translation by Connie Crop Eared Wolf and Eldon Yellowhorn.

čišɛtawɬ kʷ ƛiqɛtəs ta p̓əʔač - Mɛnaθey. Sliammon Translation by Mabel Harry, Karen Galligos, and Oshelle from the Sliammon Nation.

Small Number and the Big Tree

Written by Veselin Jungic and Mark MacLean Illustrated by Simon Roy and Jess Pollard

Original English.

kwi'kwushnuts 'i' tthu thi thqet. Hul'q'umi'num' Translation by and narration by Delores Louie (Swustanulwut).

mɛnaθɛy hɛga t̓aχəmay. Sliammon Translation by Betty Wilson (Ochele) from the Sliammon Nation.

Etsím Skw’shim iy ta Hiyí Stsek. Squamish Translation by Setálten, Norman Guerrero Jr. of the Squamish Nation.

Small Number and the Skateboard Park

Written by Veselin Jungic & Mark MacLean Illustrated by Simon Roy

Original English.

Apsch Akichikewin ikwa eta kasooskawtuykeetaw metaweewnihk. Cree Translation by Barry Cardinal.

Small Number and the Salmon Harvest

Written by Veselin Jungic & Mark MacLean Illustrated by Simon Roy & Jess Pollard

Original English.

Etsíim Skw’eshim na7 ta Tem Cháyilhen. Squamish Translation by X̱elsílem Rivers.

Skw'ikw'xam Kw'e S'ole_xems Ye Sth'oqwi. Halq'eméylem Translation by _Xotxwes.

Small Number and the Salmon Harvest. Sliammon Translation by Betty Wilson.

kwi’kwushnuts ’i’ tthu tsetsul’ulhtun’. Hul'q'umi'num' Translation by Ruby Peter (Sti’tum’aat).

ʔeʔimʔaƛquu mimityaqš ʔanaḥʔis Huksyuu. Huu-ay-aht Translation by Benson Nookemis from the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Nation.

Small Number and the Old Totem Pole

Written by Veselin Jungic and Mark MacLean Illustrated by Bethani L’Heureux

Original English.

I am unfamiliar with these (and all) Aboriginal languages, so please let me know if I have made any errors in this blog post, and especially if the special characters are not rendering correctly.