It’s no secret that we’re huge Buffy Sainte-Marie fans around here at Cree Literacy Network, for the music, the teaching, the storytelling, and the passionate life of activism she’s still living like a 30-something while the rest of the world struggles to catch up. What’s truly humbling is hearing she likes us, too. Especially Solomon Ratt’s translation into Cree of some of her best-known songs. We thank you Buffy: kinanâskomitinân! (And thank you to Michif language warrior, Heather Souter, for the heads up to the interview!)
After you listen to Buffy’s talk with Tom Power, scroll down to find some of those song translations we’re so proud to offer to her – and to everyone – in Cree!
Buffy Sainte-Marie, Starwalker: tr. Solomon Ratt (y-dialect)
Buffy Sainte-Marie: Qu’Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan (y-dialect)
Buffy Sainte-Marie’s “Take My Hand for a While” sung in Cree by Tammy Lamouche
Buffy Sainte-Marie: Universal Soldier (Solomon Ratt, y-dialect)
My Country ’tis of Thy People You’re Dying: Buffy Sainte-Marie
