Indigenous people have a variety of powerful characteristics that distinguish them from other nations, and their language is one of the means to express their culture and uniqueness. Gregory Scofield is a well-known Métis poet who demonstrates how to use Indigenous language and provides the reader with crucial lessons. In the chosen passage, the phrase “hâw, pîkiskwê” and its translation “now, speak” appear several times, which proves repetition as the way to remember and speak this language. In addition, the poet gives a promise to “teach you Cree” under the conditions “that cannot be translated”.
The purpose of this poem is to underline the connection between culture, nature, and words that are all integral for Aboriginal communities. The necessary effect is achieved by mentioning informative English (“the dogs curl”) and Indigenous (“pawâcakinâsis-pîsim/the frost exploding moon”) phrases. The reader is able to imagine the environment where a person and animals united to survive and enjoy the winter in a peaceful manner. Scofield becomes a guide who is passionate about every sound of his native language but also respects the English speaker. This poem shows how two cultures and two languages may co-exist in the modern world.