Mi'kmaq Honour Song - All State Choir 2008

[sintofg]

I sang this not too long ago and it was made clear that it was NOT a real honor song ( that is belonging to a certain tribe etc) but it does honor the way the Creator as the composer herself said.  . But people will think what they will.

[RMegeso]

Ugh, people get so worked up over stuff like this. Yes, there are tribal traditions that have been broken and shown to the public eye (for example, the Apache Crown Dance). But honestly, you shouldn't blame these guys for singing it. Their teacher chose the sheet music, which was written by someone else in the 1950s. Its a beautiful song... but be upset with who should be responsible (the composer), not the person who sang the song itself.

[AirDawg1]

How many Mi'kmaq and other tribe's have forgotten that our honor song to our people is not meant to be recorded in any way? it's disrespectful. From what I have learned from my elders around the sacred fire at our powwow's, the honor song should never be recorded. Every native should know the reasons, the spirits, and why it should not be recorded. I see the youth today at the powwow, walking the wrong way around the fire, acting up, throwing garbage in the fire, and it hurts to see how we

[AirDawg1]

have changed

[LegendaryStory]

@AirDawg1 I myself wish that the youth were more respectful to the old ways. It's something that has always bugged me, and will always bug me.

[Eastboyz49]

this song is for the water of mikmaq when they travel in there canons, i hope u guys aint makein money of this, or the mikmaqs can take it court

[Mrchucksterz]

And today all people want to do is claim songs. They were not theirs in the first place. Even to the ones who first sung the song, was never there's. It was for the people. Just that we should appreciate the singer who fasted for theses songs. And pray to our ancestors that we are grateful for these songs. You will know a honor song when you hear it. It gets into your body you can feel it in your heart it touches your soul and makes you remember who you are. Hence this is what feeds my spirit w

[Mrchucksterz]

:) if you throw stones we will throw them back. It was a friendship song giving to the mikmaq from the Mohawk. And it's nice to hear anyone who is not in our tribe to sing songs that they do t know the meaning of. Or some mikmaq wouldn't know. Get it strait not a mikmaq song at all. Just to let you all know.

[brittbritt2115]

i love this song we r doing it for chorus this year its kind of hard but fun to do

[leadsingerfreespirit]

I liked it and wasn't offended by this version...I recorded the song in 1992 with freespirit.Thought you all did a great job on a song in another language I've heard worse .

[capitainjz111]

ni'n na mikmaq aqq this is not what the honor song is meant to be

elba disgraceful to me and our people

[dreamer1273]

I am also Mi'kmaq from first Nations you all did a great job thank you

[dirkpdavis]

I hate these wierd songs. I am searching for M'kmaq vidz not this.

[PadfootLivesFree]

i kind of hate this song xD I hum a C# the entire thing because our chorus isn't smart enough to stay on the right pitch for more than 2 seconds lol

[shiauko]

Maybe it's called an honour song cause it's written by someone who isn't Mi'kmaq in honour of the people? Just saying. People seem to like saying that it isn't their honour song. It could be someone else's. Just roll with it, it's beautiful.

I sang this at Festival 500 many years ago, and my Mi'kmaq uncle cried XD

[iHekFetBoi]

my schools is doing this for our concert :D

[MrTTenor]

Hey! I was in this choir! TENOR I FTW

[coolz51396]

i can't wait!! we are singing this song for our chior!! i'm in the solo group

[noelIsadore19]

this aint our honour song

[ShelShelLaliLa03]

I'm doing this song for my school, and I'm in love with it so much! :)

[redhorse67]

Honor song? This is E'go. All our songs can be used as an honor song. Just like all words can be used in prayer. That's why we don't use words lots in our songs. Spirits understand us when we sing. That was cool, thx. But this Lydia person should do the right thing, and not take credit for a song that's been around far longer than just her. Make sense? Probally not, that's how our land was stolen, lol.

[ShelShelLaliLa03]

@redhorse67 I totally agree! I think she claims it because no one has written it down into sheet music, so she probably thought that it should be written down into choral music. :). It's a very lovely piece :)

[MsLolipops123]

i love this songgg

[almamacdou]

This song is sung for our ancestors, It is an interesting take on the original song. Very nice that you would honor us in that way. But who ever lydia adams is, she just probably translated or write the song down. She is not the author, this song has been sung over generations. The Honor song was written by George Paul. Search for it in youtube, you will find it.

[TheFlowermamma]

@almamacdou I agree. It was indeed written by my cousin George and is easily found in here. It's simply so different to what I'm used to hearing, singing & drumming in the traditional way. I'm just more partial to the original version I guess.

[TheFlowermamma]

@almamacdou I agree. It was indeed written by my cousin George and is easily found in here. It's simply so different to what I'm used to hearing, singing & drumming in the traditional way. I'm just more partial to the original version I guess. I like it better with just the drums & voices.

[sasunaruperv]

im singing it at Carnegie Hall this year and this sounds great! this is a great help :) when i got the music i was like whaaat? i didnt understand it but now it makes sense :)

[jetluvr32]

I'm singing this at OAKE this year, and the music is really confusing...thank you for posting and letting me hear it. :)

[PurplePirateHat]

Lol as far as naming it goes this is exactly the same as what I'm singing in school and it is titled Mi'kmaq Honour Song and the name underneath reads Lydia Adams, so if you disagree with the naming of the song, look her up ;)

ASIDE from that, this was a fantastic version and the animal sounds didn't sound fake or cheesy at all in my opinion, i hope my school can do this this good :D

[AlexandraEfthymiou94]

I 'm doing this song in my choir(Greece) and it sound amazing but our animal sound this good!!!!

[mikmaq2008]

this isnt the honor song by the way....its a medicine song given to an elder who died many moons ago here on our land of the mikmaq....who are these people and where is this choir from?

[mikmaq2008]

this isnt the honor song by the way....its a medicine song given to an elder who died many moons ago here on our land of the mikmaq....

[laurenhust1]

ok we are doing this song this year and this is way to slow and all the animals rock, except for the wolf. I am the wolf and mine sounds alot more like an actual wolf, but everythng else was fantastic

[TheAureliaAurita]

The loon is awesome!

[TheAureliaAurita]

YAY!!! No offence but they are too slow!

[TheAureliaAurita]

I love this song sooo much i was the wolf in this song!!!

[membertou11]

this aint the honour song,  search in Youtube .. Mikmaq Honor Song Eastern Eagle Singers

[MrDeviluke]

this is pretty but i dont think its the honor song D:

[Ravenfire385]

The coyote in this video is amusing...we did this song in our choir and I was the wolf. No offence to whoever howled, but that is more of a ooowee than you generally hear in wolves. Really good job all around...I'm just picky and invasive. Sweet job!

[brycesylib]

That was good!

[pdana81]

This is the eagle song! Peskotomuhkati nil, I'm Passamaquoddy... I remember singing this growing up and when i heard this i called my great aunt. I sang this to her and she said that its the eagle song :)

[issue89]

My late aunt used to sing this piece during gatherings.

[kuj4z]

cool and creeot

[ChelseyxJonas]

lmfao this aint the mikmaq honor song. lmfao.

[liongirl2437]

i have 2 sing this song for my choir i like it

[MsDoodlebug9]

I absolutely love this song. I once had to perform it in the 6th grade for MPA. I've been trying to track down the sheet music for it. Your chorus did a superior job with this song. I'm glad to see other choirs doing it. Do you know where I could find the sheet music to Mikmaq Honour Song? Please get back to me. Demi.

[epeter29]

it's interesting reading some of the comments here. we sang this in choir a couple times over the years, and it's called "Mi'kmaq Honour Song." no, it's not the real honour song of the Mi'kmaq people because that is something that can never be recorded apparently. but that is what this rendition is called. get over it. beautiful performance, by the way.

[bigbullhunter06]

although this is a nice song and very well performed but it is not the mikmaq honor song, this is indeed one of the mikmaq songs but it is not the honor song which all these people sing in concerts

[TheDemonKash]

It's amazing that your in this! I'm actually thinking of auditioning this year, but I need to practice a LOT before than on my sight reading. Congrats on getting in and you sound absolutely fantastic.

[TheKarlez]

Wow thats so cool.... that is amazing.....

[saradomin10100]

Great song, Yeah we get to do that this year too.. for our choir concert..

[pdana81]

@saradomin10100 This is not the Mi'kmaq honour song... this is the eagle song

[daveman101Xx]

I understand that it's of complete & irrevocable disrespect to record this sacred song, but as a white person [& a white FOOL, I might add] who's never been to a powwow before, this makes me realize what sorts of stuff our cursed ancestors took away from the First Peoples. I apologize for liking this video =/

[grocking]

This is not "The Honour song..."

And rules are kind of flexible on recording.

Mi'kmaq drum group Eastern Eagle has recorded an audio version on their album "Sipekne' Katik."

So don't feel guilty for enjoying it.

[mb2boxer]

hahaha this makes me laugh when white people think this is the honour song when you know the honour song can not be recorded. ni'n na lnu. haha but anyway the song sounds great.haha btw ni'n na lnu means i am lnu (white man calls us mi'kmaq) hahaha im glad to be lnu :)

[AmandaLM80]

as a full native americian im shocked they let this song be recorded. they had no right to do this ,this song is a honor song to the Mik'mag . iI bet they didn't even ask George Paul his the one that wrote this song. he work hard he fasted for 5 day s and they play this song like it was just a song . To the Mik'mag speak up what they are doing to this sondg ........PLEASE

[himrasmus101]

lol at you. george paul is a white person name anyway so fuck whoever you are.

[rina123456]

Mik'Maq usually have two names: one "white" as you put it and the other from their own culture

I believe George Paul is Thunder Eagle

[AirDawg1]

@rina123456 yea, we have our government names as well as our spirit names, for example, mine is twin brown bears

[AirDawg1]

@AmandaLM80 this isn't our honor song, ours is kepmite'tmne'j, this is Iko, few comments below u, welaliek explained what this song is and meant for, wela'lin wela'liek.

[cheybug394]

i think i saw some people i knew in the pic but its hard to tell

[hijabieh]

wow i am part mi'kmaq ..and this gave me chiils..eerie ..i love it

[welaliek]

Iko, sung by Mike Paul of Eskasoni, this song is called "Neskawet" this is sung when the "Lnu" Mi'kmaq Chiefs enter the Council of Chiefs and the song would be sung as. the announcement each Chief or "Ikanus" would enter. Sarah Denny my mother started using the song with the permission of the Elder

Mike Paul "Miseljij" to teach the children and pass on the memory of the Wopnakik Mawiomi.. The Great Council of Chief in Mi'kmaq Nation of Eastern Canada..

Joel Denny

[marinasvoice]

at a powwow if the honor song is being played you're not allowed to record it in way or you will be asked to leave.. if you do not leave when asked, security will escort you out to your car.

[TeeToes]

THIS IS THE EAGLE SONG!! no the micmac honour song the micmac honour song is what i sang on my profile my uncles song is this song and the micmac honour song

[gymnastgirl2346]

Our 6th grade and select chorus did that song.

[thugluv02]

this is'nt the Mik'maq Honur song , i am mik'maq and i sing the honur song like dailey ! .. lmao , sounds interesting thou.

[frenchhorn100]

wow this is really good

[xevelynxheartsxmusic]

Wow, this is really, really good. The choir is excellent, and that means a lot coming from me.

[bobospoot]

yep...gathering song...sounds scary

[idajdenny]

I have never heard iko song like that but i really enjoyed it - many thanks for taking an interest in our mi'kmaq songs. i would like to know where your are from exactly

hope to hear more!!!

Wela'lin ti mikmaq women from eskasonit first nation

[sebash27]

as a mi'kmaq from a first nations community this is not the honour song.

[bucketOfmeagan]

lol i've heard :P

what exactly is the honour song then?

[AirDawg1]

@bucketOfmeagan kepmite'tmnej, but it is disrespectful to record audio or video of it.

[clam502]

@bucketOfmeagan It is a song that we sing to honor our ancestors, grand parents parents, Creator for that has been given us. It is exactly that, it is about honor.

[xJGBx926x]

@bucketOfmeagan Kepmite'tmnej ta'n teli-l'nuulti'kw, Nikma'jtut mawita'nej, Kepmite'tmnej ta'n wetapeksulti'kw, Nikma'jtut apoqnmatultinej, Apoqnmatultinej ta'n Kisu'lkw, Tel-ika'luksi'kw ula wskitqamu'k

[jugghead69er]

im mi'kmaq person toooo

[Nikoru2243]

@sebash27 It's just the title of the piece.

[songjudger2000]

@sebash27

i know.. this is not our honor song.

[fontasura]

ok i was in all state choir this year (arkansas)... i WISH we did this song! lol

[kathrynlois]

Great performance -- congratulations!

[avonne100]

YEAH this is awesome.

[starsinger808]

doing this song on thursday in CT

cant wait

this sounds awesome =D

[MGZolyn]

that's awesome! you'll have a lot of fun :)

my suggestion though is to DEFINITELY volunteer to make animal noises or chant, otherwise you have to sing "ooo" the ENTIRE song. blech :P

[NoshmigoPrunes]

hey you were there too? me too! i think we did pretty well. lol

[NoshmigoPrunes]

hey what state is this for? I'm going to be in CT All-States this Thursday, singing the exact same songs you did with the same conductor. Is Dr. Thomas a nice guy?

[MGZolyn]

this is minnesota.

hahaha, dr. thomas is pretty much the coolest guy ever!!

you'll love him :)

good luck at all state! you should post your own performance!

[SUNSNARE06]

What a coincidence, in 2006 here in NY, Andre Thomas was my All State conductor and we did the Mikmaq Honor Song as well

[lovelee199]

im mikmaq but i live in newfoundland where is this school ? p.s you guys did great !

[welaliek]

I'ko was song by Michael Paul in Eskasoni and redone by Sarah Denny and this is how my mom will sing it! Iko was sung as the " Iknanusk" or leaders from each districts, meet at the grandcouncil tent or kji'wikiwom, wigwam.. Joel Denny

[UNsoldierLieutenant]

Creepy yet good yet cool yet pretty yet happy yet sad

[nikkichar]

This is not an honor song, But other than that lol this song is beautiful, its actually called i'ko. i dont know if its an eagle song, but maybe it is my grandfather used to sing this song on his front step and the lots of eagles would come and soar above the yard

[OHSCC]

"mikmaq honor song pattywack  mickmack"

I love how you put pattywack on here.

I was in the men's choir. This was my favorite song that mixed did.

[DenDenPaul]

well sry to put you guys down but this ain`t the Mi`Kmaq honor song but this is the "Eagle" song not the honor song

[berryblitz07]

i know! and the sound isn't authentic which is driving me nuts!!

[buzzaki]

This is a choral arrangement, created by an ethnomusicologist.  It is not intended to be authentic.

[berryblitz07]

then perhaps they should respect us and not sing OUR songs. at least unless they know what they are.

[buzzaki]

Is it the title that is putting you off?

[flatt1942]

you've said that about a couple of versions of this tune on youtube. what would make it more authentic? even if this isn't an honor song and is a gathering song or something like that, it's more of a tribute. people do arrangements of things all the time that hint at a style, but don't necessarily hit it dead on... and usually that's done on purpose.

[xXOblivionKnightXx]

I love this song! I'm the Wolf in this performance. I can't believe we're already done singing at Orchestra Hall. Craziness.

[bucketOfmeagan]

holy crap that's you?! I've ALWAYS wanted to tell you you are amazing in this song :DDDD

haha i am so glad i never have to sing this again :)

[glonnie15]

That was AWesome!!!!

[skylightrazors]

my great grandmother use to sing this to everyone, especially her grandchildren. it's a familiar chant to most mikmaq people. you guys did a great job. i am also astonished by you guys making those animals sounds. quite amazing.

[EskMikmaq]

nice song, an old Mi'kmaq chant, but it's not the Mi'kmaq honour song. i liked the whole song though. Good Job.

[MGZolyn]

thanks, but i'm confused. the music we got definitely said mi'kmaq honour song... lol

[EskMikmaq]

don't be confused, i mean no offence or anything, but it's not the Mi'kmaq honour song. I'm Mi'kmaq and i speak the language and live on the reserve.. this song is an old chant, and if you look it up on youtube "mi'kmaq songs" and you will find songs similar to this one called "i'ko".

[leviherknee]

i dunno about ya'll .. but i didnt hear the mikmaq honor song .. i just heard noises and somewhat of a chant .. but dont get my wrong i think it sounded wikkit.but if you say its mikmaq honor song u should really sing the mikmaq honor song .. hoka hey

[vinylreality]

I did this when I was about 8 or 9. I was the owl :)

It's a great piece. We surrounded the audience for it so the sounds came from all around

[QTPA2TI]

omg

my gr6 class is doing this song 4 choir

i luv it

u guys do a great job!!!!!!!!!!

[Xxyelp666xX]

*spine tingleing* omg o_o i cant belive u guiez actually took the time to under stand mik'maq OlaLian(thank you)

[nemesis853]

welalin is thank you in mikmaq

[234puppy234]

i love