The Meaning of “Odehmenan”
The symbolism of the word Odehmenan is twofold: One, it represents the core organ that all members of UIC’s Health Sciences Campus are very familiar with in their learning and practice of science and medicine, and two, it emphasizes the high level of “heart work” that is needed to be able to take care of oneself and also take care of our patients and communities. Core to the mission of the Odehmenan Health Equity Center (Odeh Center) is the centering of populations and communities that have been historically marginalized and underserved, and have experienced persistent health inequities. This is an effort that belongs to all of us. We hope the entire Health Sciences community at UIC and UI Health, along with our communities around us, will find the center to be a collective place of dialogue, action and peace.
Pronunciation:
Odeh-me-nan: odéh (oh-debt) me (muh) nan (nan)
Breakdown of "Odehmenan" Heading link
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O Animate demonstrative pronoun indicating something alive that belongs to or is a part of our belonging
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Dewe Associated with a drum or describing a drum
Breakdown and Theme part 2 Heading link
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Odeh Describes my heart
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Menan Implies that it belongs to all of us, and thus is ours
Overarching Theme of the Odeh Center Heading link
Shote Temget Odehnan Ebmadziyak mine Ekendaswiyak…Here is the Heart of our Living and Learning
Further Exploration of the Word Heading link
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Deh Heart
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Ode Deh This heart
Further exploration part 2 Heading link
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Odeh menan This heart of ours
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Gi Odeh menan That heart of ours
Further exploration part 3 Heading link
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Ndeh My heart
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Gdeh Your heart
Further exploration part 4 Heading link
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Odeh menan kewak His/Her heart
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Odeh menanen Our heart
Further exploration part 5 Heading link
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Odeh menan keyak Conjunct for our heart but not yours
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Odeh menan keygo Conjunct for all of our heart
Further exploration part 6 Heading link
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Odeh menan keyek Conjunct for all of your (group) heart
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Odeh menan kewat Conjunct for their heart
Additional Examples of Usage Heading link
O dehmenan yawen shote…Here is the place of our heart
phrase 2 Heading link
O dehmenan ngoji pi…Our heart is everywhere
phrase 3 Heading link
O dehmenan ngoji pi shote…Our heart is everywhere around here
phrase 4 Heading link
Ebyayak shote etemget odehmenan…We came here where our heart abides