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ᐱᐳᐣ (Pipon)
A metaphor for pipon, or winter, is "snow blanket," because this is the season in which Mother Earth covers herself in a blanket of snow and goes to sleep, and many of the animals are in hibernation. The moons for this season are kīsī pīsim (elder moon), and opāwacakwanasis pīsim (wind clearing moon). The Asiniskaw Īthiniwak would tell stories and give teachings in this cold, quiet season. -
ᓯᑲᐧᐣ (Sikwan)
Sikwan, or break-up, actually translates to "rattling in" or "rattling feathers" (sisi = rattling; kwan = feathers) because this is the season in which the ice begins to candle, the snow settles, the streams start running, and the geese fly in - all of these sound like rattling. The moons for this season are mikiswi pīsim (eagle moon), and niski pīsim (goose moon). The Asiniskaw Īthiniwak would hunt geese and ducks. -
ᒥᖪᐢᑳᒥᐣ (Mithoskāmin)
Mithoskāmin, or spring, translates in English to "good moving water" (mitho = good; ska = moving or walking; min = water) because this is the season in which water ways that have been frozen during the months of pipon (winter) and sikwan (break-up) open and can be used for canoe travel. The moons for this season are athīki pīsim (frog moon) and wāwī pīsim (egg laying moon). All the snow is gone and new growth is visible. During this season, the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak build and repair canoes, gather eggs, make tools and baskets, and tap birch trees once the sap stops running.
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ᓀᐱᐣ (Nīpin)
Nīpin, or summer, actually translates to "gifts from the water" (nipi = water; in = to give) because this is the season in which water is providing life in the rivers and through the raspberry and blueberry rains. The moons for this season are paskahawī pīsim (egg hatching moon) and paskowī pīsim (moulting moon). The Asiniskaw Īthiniwak would fish, gather berries and medicine, and make pottery. Nīpin also marks the new year for the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak - this is when you count how many winters old you are.
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ᑖᑳᐧᑭᐣ (Tākwākin)
Tākwākin, or fall, actually translates to "gathering" or "adding up" (takwa = gathering; kin = it is happening) because this is the season in which birds and people gather to prepare for the coming winter; the birds prepare to leave and the people prepare to stay in one place. The moons for this season are hopahamowī pīsim (flying moon), pimahamowī pīsim (flying back moon), and nanimitahamowī pīsim (getting ready moon). The Asiniskaw Īthiniwak would hunt moose and bear, prepare pounded and smoked meat, and trap fish.
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ᒥᑭᐢᑲᐤ (Mikiskaw)
Mikiskaw, or freeze-up, actually translates to "plenty of beads" (mikis = beads; kaw = plenty) because this is the season in which leaves are at the height of their fall colours, the frost and snow is glistening, and the hoar frost is forming - all looking like beads. The moons for this season are kaskatinowī pīsim (freeze up moon), and thithikopiwi pīsim (hoar frost moon). The Asiniskaw Īthiniwak would hunt caribou.
