Thanks to Celeste Tootoosis for sharing this link today on FaceBook to acknowledge Victoria Day as a reminder of the permanent promises of treaty. The words to Cree songs are often a little telegraphic – a kind of shorthand. That makes it even more important when Celeste connects the dots with a few extra comments in English (in square brackets).
The words here are adjusted a very little from those transcribed in the YouTube link by Ernest Hester – and Northern Cree provided the link for all of us to enjoy. We owe them both our thanks, so we can listen and read (or even sing) along.
kihci-okimâwiskwêw
kikî-mîkonawa
kiskiwêhon
kâkikê ka-wî-wêpâstan
ᑭᐦᒋ ᐅᑭᒫᐏᐢᑵᐤ
ᑭᑮ ᒦᑯᓇᐘ
ᑭᐢᑭᐍᐦᐅᐣ
ᑳᑭᑫ ᑲ ᐑ ᐍᐹᐢᑕᐣ
The Queen [Victoria]
Gave unto us
The flag [to remember we have a treaty]
May it forever wave in the wind
