Winnebago =ire

[Rory M Larson]

I have a couple of questions about the Winnebago
pluralizing particle =ire.  I was wondering if
any of the Hochank specialists in particular
would be willing to respond?

1.  How would you describe the relationship
    between =ire and =wi?  I understand that
    =wi is a general pluralizer that can be
    employed anywhere, while =ire is restricted
    to the 3rd person plural.  Is there any
    semantic distinction between them?  For
    3rd plural, when would you use =ire, and
    when would you prefer =wi?

2.  In Lipkind, I found that =ire can be used
    for both active and stative verbs.  The
    example given for an active verb was /xe/,
    "bury" (or was it "dig"?).

       xe         xa=wi          xa=ire

    The example given for a stative verb was
    /sh?ak'/, meaning "old".  I recall the
    "they are old" form as being

       sh?agire

    (Now I'm forgetting if that glottal was
    there or not.  Correct me if I'm wrong!)

    I assume that /sh?ak'/ is related to OP
    /iNsh?age/, meaning "old man".  I assume
    its original form would be something like
    /*sh?ake/.

    Would it be correct to say that the =ire
    ending conditions a-grade ablaut in active
    verbs, but not in stative ones?

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

Rory