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Ishtinike Turtle Story

1

2

English

When Ishtinike saw the Turtle by the water, he thought to himself,

Ponca

Ishtinike aka, ke thin ni eshan a’hi te danba, e’xchi, wa’thi’gthan ga’xai,

3

English

“I will make this turtle my meal, I am very hungry.”

Ponca

“Ke thinke, btha’te tamike, nanpanhi te, a’ta’shan bthin.”

4

English

Ishtinike became very quiet as he walked a short distance.

Ponca

Ishtinike aka xthe’azhi xti, manthinte he’ba’di nanshtan, biama.

5

English

Then he raised his voice and said to the Turtle,

Ponca

Ganki hu te, tha’he’ga zhi xti, ke thin u’ki’e gantha, te

6

English

“Aho, you over there.”

Ponca

“Aho, thi she’ta u’wi ki’e.”

7

English

“What is the matter, venerable man” said the Turtle.

Ponca

“E’atanwa? niashinga ni-ke, abiama, ke aka.”

8

English

“You are in great danger,” said Ishtinike

Ponca

“Thi u’thinanka ta’nike, abiama Ishtinike aka

9

English

“The maker has decided to make a great flood, and the ground will be covered with water and you will be drowned.”

Ponca

Wakanda aka nidan tanga ga’xe ta’ka, a’di tande bthuga nidan aka a’bi’nantha ta’ka a’di, ni’u’t’e ta ta’ni’ke

10

English

Turtle said, “But I can live in the water.”

Ponca

Ke’aka e”githan, thanzhan, ni kedi u’ki a’bthin.

11

English

“This time the danger is to great for you” Said Ishtinike.

Ponca

Thanzhan, u’thi’nan ka te, a’tanshan ta’ka, abiama Ishtinike aka.

12

English

“This time you cannot live in the water”

Ponca

“A’di, ni u’ki thi thinge ta’ni’ke”.

13

English

After the two, had talked for a long time,

Ponca

Wi’dan ka’shi u’ki’kiai’ te,

14

English

Ishtinike convinced Turtle to leave the water, and go to the hills.

Ponca

I’shtinike aka, ke thin, ni-ke ga’shi’be hi’te, u’ketan, biama Ganki pa’he ta, the a’gazhi, abiama.

15

English

Ishtinike went ahead and hid himself.

Ponca

Ishtinike aka pa’hanga a’thai bi’dan, I’kinanxthai te.

16

English

After a long time, the Turtle came crawling up the hill.

Ponca

Ka’shi itha’pai, ganki ke’ aka minde pa’he than a’hi ite.

17

English

Ishtinike caught the Turtle by surprise and captured him.

Ponca

Ishtinike aka, ke thin sabazhi ga’xai u’than i’te.

18

English

He then prepared himself for a meal to satisfy his hunger.

Ponca

Ki haha kithai te, ke than tha’te gantha biama, nanpehin te A’tashan biama.

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  • Ponca Tribe of Nebraska

    Although the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska does not have a reservation, the Ponca Restoration Act established our fifteen-county Service Delivery Area across Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. We offer a broad range of health, social, educational and cultural services through five office sites.

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    Ponca Tribe - Circa 1906