Canadian Voices: Yôtin (The Wind) - Sherryl Sewepagaham
Edmonton Composer Sherryl Sewepagaham
I am honoured to be included in the Canadian Voices Series to create and share a choral composition in the Woodland Cree language, Y dialect, which is primarily spoken in Treaty 8 territory. Every piece I create is a piece of me, my family, my Cree people, and includes teachings. Yôtin (the wind) is sacred, playful and intense and the piece is meant to capture that. Yôtin starts gentle but ends up fierce and cold. Yôtin is always intentional and purposeful.
As a Cree elementary music educator, children’s choral director, and hand drum singer, I am an advocate for the revitalization of Indigenous languages through voice and song. I always incorporate Cree in most of my pieces. This learning aligns with my own current journey of learning my Cree language in Cree classes. I have always been able to sing and understand what I am singing about in songs I know, numbers, animals, and simple phrases, but I am not yet fluent. My parents are Residential School survivors and their decision to not teach their children Cree as our first language came from the harm they experienced for speaking Cree when English was forced upon them as children. I began learning to create music in Cree through their guidance and translation. It started off with children’s songs and then choral arrangements.
Pro Coro Canada Quartet (from left) Jessica Wagner, Kimberly Denis, Nathan Bootsma, Michael Kurschat.
Aaron Addorisio; Michael Zaugg, Percussion
Michael Zaugg, Conductor
When Michael Zaugg invited me to share a new choral work with ProCoro, I had to think about the invitation for a short while. Every new piece comes with a lot of contemplation as I formulate what I want the piece to be about. Sometimes prayer, silence, and smudging helps bring focus and direction. When the song was forming, I knew ProCoro had the skills to really deliver a piece that was as dynamic and challenging as traditional-based First Nations songs can be. Once the concept of the wind and Cree words were translated and in place, I didn’t pull back or ease up. The music flowed out and I could hardly keep up. I am very proud of this piece. I am embedded in it too.
Sing this song with purpose, with intention, with energy, and with gratitude as yôtin will always be there to guide you. Ninanâskimon (I am thankful).
Yôtin - Sherryl Sewepagaham
Yôtin - Cree translation:
Yôtin (the wind) nîpîhtamak (carries to me) nikamona (songs), nikamona (songs). The wind carries songs to me.
Yôtin (the wind) kîpîhtamak (carries to you), kîpîhtamak (carries to you) nitayamihâwin (my prayers).
The wind carries my prayers to you.
Kisemanito (Creator), nanâskamon (I am thankful) yôtin (the wind) ohci (for). Creator, I am thankful for this wind.
Translated by: Bill and Emily Sewepagaham, Little Red River Cree Nation (parents)
Roman Orthography: Weylon Sewepagaham, Little Red River Cree Nation (brother)
Cree teachings: Ardell Twinn, Sawridge First Nation
Canadian Voices - Edmonton
Watch the entire Canadian Voices Series on Pro Coro TV
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