Kuxëna Kishelëmienk

Our Father Who Created Us . . . Prayer by Nora Dean.
It was on University Forum Television at the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma in October 1980. Anthropologist Terry Prewitt also took part in the videotaped interviews which were two one-half hour shows discussing many things about the Lenape people. The hostess was Francine Ringold and she asked Nora to close with a Lenape prayer. The sound quality is not very good as she was speaking low and the recording is copied from a third generation videotape.

English:

Our Father who created us, thank you that I can stand here in this place,

Lenape:

Kuxëna Kishelëmienk, wanìshi tili nkàski nipain yushe tali,

English:

and for all good things you have given me, thank You,

Lenape:

òk wèmi weltëk kèku ènta milian, wanìshi,

English:

water, and for the sun shining upon us on this earth

Lenape:

mpi òk yu ènta kishux pèchi òxekamakuna yushe xkwithakamika

English:

Give us a good road so that we can continue

Lenape:

Milinèn weltëk tëmakàn tìlìch kàski ikalìchi

English:

to live longer here on this earth. Forgive us

Lenape:

pèchi pètawsinèn yushe ènta xkwithakamika. Punelìntàmainèn

English:

when we do that which is wrong and when we say something wrong. Thank You Dear Father

Lenape:

wèmi ènta ahchanilan òk ènta ahchanaptunhe. Wanìshi Nuxati,

English:

and accept from me this pleading. Amen.

Lenape:

wètënëmai winëweokàn. Na në lekèch.

Kenahkihinèn Kwënikishukw

Jesus Eluwèt

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