Greetings in Pawnee.

Common Pawnee Greetings & Phrases

The Pawnee language is a vibrant part of the tribe’s cultural identity. Though it is spoken by few today, efforts are underway to revitalize and teach it to younger generations. Here are some useful greetings and expressions in Pawnee:

Kíno'owúu? – How are you?

Ráno óhpi? – How is it going?

Kíno'owúu núhkta? – How are you today?

Ráno óhpi núhkta? – How are things today?

Tsa'áwit? – What is your name?

Tsa'áwit áhko? – What is your name again?

Núhkta'aha? – What time is it?

Táh ríhkta'aha? – What day is it?

Kíno'owúu kóohka? – How is your family?

Kíno'owúu pahka? – How is your health?

Mahkíra kóohka? – How is your day?

Ma'heónemestoo – Thank you.

Máhkta – Goodbye.

Who Are the Pawnee People?

The Pawnee are one of the Indigenous tribes of the Central Plains, historically centered in what is now Nebraska and Kansas. They were a confederacy of related bands, primarily the Chawi, Kitkahahki, Pitahawirata, and Skidi, each with their own ceremonial practices and leadership.

The Pawnee were both agricultural and nomadic, a dual lifestyle that allowed them to thrive for centuries. In the spring and early summer, they cultivated crops such as corn, beans, pumpkins, and squash in permanent village sites. In the late summer and fall, they organized hunting expeditions to follow the buffalo, which were central to their diet, clothing, tools, and spiritual life.

Sharitarish, a respected Pawnee chief

The Pawnee's spiritual beliefs were deeply tied to the stars and natural cycles. They conducted elaborate ceremonies to honor the Creator, the Evening Star, the Morning Star, and other celestial beings. These observances often dictated planting times, hunting seasons, and social duties.

Sadly, the 19th century brought devastating change. Epidemics of smallpox and cholera, combined with pressure from American expansion and intertribal conflict, drastically reduced the Pawnee population. By the late 1800s, they were forced onto a reservation in present-day Oklahoma.

Today, the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma is a federally recognized tribe. Through language programs, cultural revitalization efforts, and intergenerational storytelling, the Pawnee continue to celebrate their identity, resilience, and heritage.

The Pawnee Language in The Revenant

Language plays a key role in cultural survival and visibility. In the 2015 Oscar-winning film The Revenant, viewers are introduced to a Pawnee character who speaks his native language. These moments are more than artistic flourishes—they’re acts of representation and reclamation.

The film's producers worked closely with Pawnee language consultants to ensure authentic usage. Each phrase spoken reflects accurate pronunciation and contextual meaning. By including Pawnee dialogue, the film brings historical realism to life while raising awareness about a language at risk of fading away.

This collaboration between Hollywood and Indigenous communities demonstrates the importance of respectful storytelling. It also shows how modern media can be used as a platform to educate global audiences about Native American languages and the cultures they represent.

Whether through cinema, educational programs, or community efforts, each step toward language revitalization brings us closer to preserving the voices of the past for generations to come.