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skoden
< "let's go then"
DCHP-3 (Nov 2022)
Indigenous activists use skoden to fight colonialism (see the 2025 quotation).
expression — Indigenous resistance, esp. First Nations, informal
an expression used to initiate a conversation or action.
Type: 1. Origin — Skoden is considered First Nations slang by a significant number of sources (see all four 2018 quotations); however, information on the term's origin and frequency is lacking. According to Anishinaabe artist Curtis Kagige the term is part of a semi-formalized exchange, consisting of skoden “let’s go then” and stoodis “let’s do this” followed by kayden "okay then' (see the fourth 2018 quotation). The term came to wider prominence in 2017 in the form of a meme that consisted of an image of an anonymous Indigenous man in a boxer’s stance, with skoden in text beneath. The man, who passed away in 2015, was Pernell Bad Arm from Kainai Blood Reserve in Alberta, and the photo was used without his consent (an image of the meme has not been reproduced here at the request of Bad Arm's surviving family, see the 2018 quotation). In 2017, First Nations hip hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids released their single skoden which was named as one of 2017's best 100 songs by CBC music. In 2018, skoden was spray painted over "Sudbury" on the city's water tower (see Image 1) and also showed up in graffiti on highway overpasses (see first and second 2018 quotations).
Quotations
2018
Already one of the more noticeable acts of alleged mischief in Greater Sudbury, the recent graffiti on the downtown water tower has now been designated as Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers' crime of the week.
Greater Sudbury Police and Crime Stoppers have asked the public to help them identify those responsible for climbing the Pearl Street tower and painting SKODEN - slang for "let's go then" - over the word Sudbury. Police believe the graffiti was out there between July 6 and 8
The estimated value of the damages is undetermined at this time.
The tower is owned by Sudbury Wolves Sports and Entertainment, which had asked police to investigate the matter.
2018
Police are looking for the public's help in identifying those responsible for a graffiti spree.
The word "skoden" - Anishinabe slang for "let's go then" - appeared in block letters on the downtown water tower earlier this summer.
More recently, it has shown up on various surfaces bordering highways north and west of Sudbury.
"SKODEN was painted 25 times on the highway," according to a release from Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers.
The word appeared "11 times on rock faces, three times on safety devices, and (once) on a concrete barrier," the release states. "The mischief took place on Highway 17 from McKerrow to Long Lake Road and on Highway 144 between Highway 17 and Chelmsford."
The graffiti was reported on Aug. 14 by the Ministry of Transportation.
The value of the vandalism is undetermined.
2018
The word skoden has been used by various Indigenous communities for a long time, but has been more of an inside joke/slang word for "let's go then." It started gaining popularity on Indigenous people's social media feeds a few years ago, and more recently showed up when someone spray-painted skoden over the Sudbury water tower.
2018
Curtis Kagige, an Ojibway artist based in Sudbury, says the word is no mystery to those who are familiar with Indigenous slang.
"In short, skoden is a precursor to 'let's go then,' like, where do you want to go?," Kagige said.
"The comeback would be 'sdoodis' like 'let's do this. The third person would say 'kayden.'
"It's used when three or more people are wanting to do something or holding an idea of some sort, or some kind of initiative."
2018
The original Skoden meme featured a picture of a homeless man with his fist drawn. We knew him only as Skoden. Just like many other homeless Indigenous folks in this country, he got his picture taken probably without his informed consent and got stripped of his identity. This man died in a shelter in Lethbridge, Alberta in 2015. His name was Pernell Bad Arm, a generous and kind person according to his family.
2019
GOODKID -- Considered offensive and profanity
BEAVER -- Deemed too sexual
MMMBEER -- Vetoed because it is alcohol-related
SOBR1 -- Also rejected because it is alcohol-related
SKODEN -- Rejected because it promotes violence
OVRTAXD -- Refused because it is considered a political message
NOTACOP -- Deemed offensive to law enforcement
2019
The pair come from the Haisla Nation, near Kitimat, B.C., and have racked up all kinds of accolades — including nominations for an Indigenous Music Award and a Western Canadian Music Award, in addition to Polaris — for their 2017 album The Average Savage and their single Skoden was named one of the year’s best 100 songs by CBC Music.
The record seeks to crush racist stereotypes about Indigenous communities; they mix in clips of derogatory old film and cartoons underneath thumping beats, and sling cutting, thoughtful lyrics about their lives as Indigenous men in Canada.
“As the Snotty Nose Rez Kids, we speak back to the stereotypes that present us as untamed, ill-mannered and vulgar savages, reclaiming ourselves as the seventh generation on the rise. We tell our stories to show that we may be a little rough around the edges but that roughness makes our lives interesting,” a news release says.
2022
A year later, the company’s merchandise includes not only stickers, but also stationery, buttons, jewelry, phone accessories, prints, clothing and home wares.
The goods are plastered with phrases such as “Ever sick,” “Live Laugh Skoden,” and “Go smudge yourself.” But other designs tackle more serious issues. They denounce racism, the Indian Act and the colonizer mindset. Or, like the sticker that says, “Intergenerational trauma ends with me,” they show a desire to make the world a better place.
One thing is clear about Jackson’s already abundant catalogue of designs: they have struck a chord.
2025
Since that point in time the word Skoden has morphed and transcended through time and space. We use the word to fight back against oppression. We use the word as a knowing wink and as an affirmation of unity. It’s participatory. It’s funny. Even powerful. Skoden has been around in its current form…since??? Not Time Immemorial, but in our Indigenous languages I think we all have a word or words like this that mean many things and one thing at the same time.
References
- CBC News (2018): Skoden
Images
