Cree Literacy Network

wahwâ I just discovered a new way to help promote Cree language while also promoting original songwriting – in Plains Cree – from W.T. Goodspirit (a.k.a. Wayne Jackson), and you can, too!!

(You probably already know Wayne’s name as moderator of the FaceBook group Nêhiyawêwin (Cree) Word/Phrase of the Day, and director of nêhiyawê Cultural Institute, and as a Cree language Instructor at University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills.)

So here are some of the cool music-related things I knew nothing about  until today (duh!):

1. There’s an Indigenous Music Countdown where anyone can check in to see what’s hot this week. It’s been running since 2000 and it’s hosted in Winnipeg by NCI’s Dave McLeod (I think his picture is in the dictionary beside “cool”.) 
2. The song ᑮᓯᑲᐤ Kîsikaw II (For a While II) by W.T. Goodspirit (a.k.a. Wayne Jackson) cracked the countdown this week at Number 38.
3. Anyone can register to vote for Wayne’s single, so we can all help it move up the chart in the week(s) ahead.
4. YOU can literally vote often! If you register, you’re entitled to five votes per day, through the week (Saturday to the following Friday, when the new list is released). 

ALSO:

1. There is a National Association of Native American Music, that hosts annual Native Music Awards.
2. W.T. Goodspirit (a.k.a. Wayne Jackson) is nominated in the category “Best Traditional Roots Recording” for his original song sâkihitowask (Love Medicine) from his album Nocikiwikamikosihk (Where the Elders Dwelt). Click the link to listen at the NAM site.
3. Download the Award Nominees from the Apple Music here.
4. Download the Award Nominees from Spotify here.
5. Anyone can download an official ballot to vote (they request that you vote in each category)

In case any of this is news to anyone else besides me, here are more links where you can:

1. Find Wayne’s album(s) at https://www.wtgoodspirit.com/ (at his website)
2. Find lyrics to Wayne’s original songs in nêhiyawêwin (so you can READ and SING along.) 
3. On Apple devices, look up Wayne’s album(s) at Apple Music by searching “W.T. Goodspirit”.  
4. Find Wayne’s songs on Spotify.
5. Download individual songs, or whole albums. Downloads are worth more in the stats than simply streaming (and individual downloads are only about $.99 apiece!)

This is a great opportunity for everyone here to take a small, active part in something fun that can help promote nêhiyawêwin all across Canada.

• In my defense, I did know that Wayne released this album in 2024 with 10 original songs, all written in Cree for us to download and enjoy – any time at all, whether they’re on the top 40 list or not!
• I also know that Wayne is far too humble to promote any of these ideas on his own behalf, so we need to step up and help give things a little shove.
• As the saying goes, I was TODAY years old when I learned this stuff, so please send me a note and let me know what needs fixing. 
• Did I mention Vote, Vote, Vote? Let’s make some commotion together for W.T. Goodspirit and for nêhiyawêwin.