It’s time to vote once again on the Indigenous Music Countdown: I just did! Wayne Jackson’s song kîsikaw II is up to Number 9 this week, and if we all keep voting, we can push it even higher. Preview the song (and the rest of the album on Spotify and Apple Music/iTunes).
Visit the Indigenous Music Countdown to vote.
I’m pretty sure everyone who visits this site can get behind a song – in Cree – about Cree language reclamation. In case you need convincing, here’s Wayne’s own description, followed by his lyrics.
A revisit to a song written about language loss and how a person is determined to regain it. This song almost didn’t make the cut, but thanks to the ancestors and being in ceremony at Blue Quills, it was their inspiration that helped me to rewrite this song.
Track 7: ᑮᓯᑲᐤ kîsikaw II (For a While II)
Written by Wayne Jackson
Vocals & Rhythm Guitar: W.T. Goodspirit
Drums: Kham Yanghwe
Lead Guitar, Background Vocals & Harmonies: Rob Kaup
Bass: Lindsay Bueckert
B3 Organ: Graham Guest
Verse 1
nikî-wanihtân nipîkiskwêwin
okiskinohamâkêw nikî-kihkâmik
nohkom nititik “ahkamêyimo
êkâ wanihtâ kipîkiskwêwin”
Chorus
kîsikaw ê-maskamikawiyahk kinêhiyawiwinaw
kîsikaw ê-maskamikawiyahk kipîkiskwêwininaw
Verse 2
nikiskinohamâkosin ê-otinamân,
nêhiyawêwin ta-nisitohtamân
nitahkamêyimon namoya nipakicên
ê-mâmitonêyimakik nicâpânak
Chorus
namoy kihtwâm nika-ati-wanihtân
ê-kiskinohamawakik nôsisimak
Verse 1
I had lost my talk
The teacher scolded me when I spoke
My grandmother said, “persevere
Don’t lose your language.”
Chorus
For a while our culture was stolen from us
For a while our language was stolen from us
Verse 2
I am going to school and I am taking
nêhiyawêwin so I can understand it
I am trying and I’ll never give up
I think about my ancestors
Chorus
I will never lose my language again
I am now teaching my grandchildren
