Kenahkihinèn Kwënikishukw

Watch Over Us Every Day (Prayer)
This is a prayer given by Nora Thompson Dean at the dedication of the Delaware Room at the Bartlesville Public Library History Room on 20 November 1974. Over 100 people attended the ceremony.

English:

Our Father who created us, truly thank (You)

Lenape:

Kuxëna Kishelëmienk, kehëla wanìshi

English:

that I can still stand in this place, and that

Lenape:

tìli nkàski kwiakwi yushè nipain, òk tìli

English:

I can still use my own language,

Lenape:

nkàski kwiakwi nakatàmën nihëlàchi èlixsia,

English:

because I know well that all good things come from You

Lenape:

èli nuli watun weltëk wèmi kèku Ki wënchixën.

English:

That is all I can do, to come and just beg

Lenape:

Nal në shùk nkàski lìsin, pèchi may shùk winëwe

English:

so that you take pity on us, all of us, these

Lenape:

tìlìch tëmakelëminèn, wèmi èntxienkw, yuki

English:

our friends here in this building.

Lenape:

kitisënanàk yushè wikwahëmink tali.

English:

Give us good health, (and) happiness,

Lenape:

Milinèn wëlamàlsëwakàn, wëlatenamëwakàn,

English:

so that they can walk around here on this earth.

Lenape:

wënchìch kàski ahpamskaneyo yushè ènta xkwithakamika.

English:

Father who created us, Creator, have pity on us, all of us,

Lenape:

Nuxa Kishelëmienkw, tëmakelëminèn wèmi èntxienkw,

English:

watch over us day by day so that we can walk

Lenape:

kenahkihinèn kwëni kishukw tìlìch kàski ahpamskanèn

English:

here on this earth. Pity me dear Father

Lenape:

yushè ènta xkwithakamika. Tëmakelëmi nuxati

English:

Father who created us, accept from me (this) pleading,

Lenape:

Kishelëmienkw, wètënëmai winëweokàn,

English:

when I stand here pitifully, Father.

Lenape:

ènta yushè nkëktëmaki nipain, Nuxa.

English:

Accept it from me when I talk humbly, dear Father.

Lenape:

Wètënëmai ènta këktëmaktunhea, Nuxati.

English:

That is all I can do, just talk humbly.

Lenape:

Nal në shùk nkàski lìsin, pèchi may shùk nkëktëmaktunhè.

English:

Thank You Father who created us. Amen.

Lenape:

Wanìshi nuxa Kishelëmienkw. Na në lekèch.

Jesus Eluwèt

Kuxëna Kishelëmienk

Wëlamhìtai Ni