In honour of International Mother Tongue Day, Art Napoleon shared this very sweet song that he wrote in Northern y-dialect. (I suspect he may have written it for his own little Niska). As Art says: “Here’s a little song in Northern Cree from my old kid’s album that celebrates our kinship to the animal world. Their habitats are our habitats ❤️”
Transcription is my own, with thanks for corrections to Solomon Ratt. (Always grateful for the teamwork!) Note that the ê sound is not used in Northern y-dialect, and Art pronounces ê as î.
Sol also suggested two additional verses – it would be great fun to get kids to add their own verses as well, about various animals (or people!) and their homes.
Art’s “old kids’ album” is still available for purchase online. It’s called Môcikan.
| niska, ô niska tânitê mâka kiwî-itohtân? sâwanohk, ô sâwanohk êkotê mâna ê-wîkiyân | Goose, oh goose Where is it that you are going? To the south, to the south That’s where I usually live. |
| môswa, o môswa tânitê mâka kiwî-itohtân? sakâhk, ô sakâhk êkotê mâna ê-wîkiyân | Moose, oh moose Where is that you are going? To the forest, to the forest That's where I usually live. |
| êkotê mâna êkotê mâna êkotê mâna ê-wîkiyân | That's where, that's where, That's where I usually live |
| kinosêw, ô kinosêw tânitê mâka kiwî-itohtân? sâkahikanihk, o sâkahikanihk êkotê mâna ê-wîkiyân | Fish, oh fish Where is that you are going? To the lake, to the lake That's where I usually live |
| kihêw, ô kihêw tânite mâka kiwî-itohtân? kîsikohk, kîsikohk êkota mâna ê-pimâtisiyân | Eagle, oh eagle, Where is it that you are going? To the sky, to the sky That's where I usually live |
| êkota mâna êkota mâna êkota mâna ê-pimâtisiyân. | That's where, that's where, That's where I usually live |
| [Two more suggested verses - other animals could be added] | |
| wînasakâtihp, ô wînasakâtihp tânitê mâka kiwî-itohtân? wâtihk, ô wâtihk êkotê mâna ê-wîkiyân. | Groundhog, oh groundhog Where is that you are going? In a hole, in a hole, That's where I usually live |
| amisk , ô amisk tânitê mâka kiwî-itohtân? wîstihk, ô wîstihk êkotê mâna ê-wîkiyân. | Beaver, oh beaver Where is it that you are going? To the lodge, to the lodge, That's where I usually live |
