Cree Sunrise Song

Facelifted from Tansi! Nehiyawetan:

“We found this on the double-u-double-u-double-u-dot-youtubes (as our dear Elder used to say). It is a beautiful song we think Art Napoleon is singing.”

In the Youtube comments, you will find two versions of the words, and a note from Art’s niece claiming her uncle’s singing with pride. For the Cree Literacy Network, I’ve transcribed Art’s words in SRO (and hope somebody will point out any errors so I can fix them!)

waniskâ! pêtâpan ôma
âsay piyêsîsak kî-nikamowak
ê-miyonâkwan kitaskînaw

Wake up! The sun is coming.
The birds are already singing
How beautiful this land of ours is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdYlFIR13PE