This songwriting workshop was part of the “h?k? ?? ? tuwa? // Where do you come from?” project, developed in partnership between members of Klahoose First Nation, Tla’Amin First Nation, and the Cortes Island Museum & Archives as a way to witness and explore Canada 150 (150 years since Canada’s confederation). The event centered around an Indigenous history experiential activity, The Blanket Exercise, facilitated by Koosen Pielle (Tla’Amin First Nation), Brenda Hanson (Klahoose First Nation), Duane Hanson (Klahoose First Nation), and Zoe Ludski. Participants then worked with Drew Blaney (Tla’Amin First Nation) and the Eagle’s Beak Drummers (Matthew Louie, John Dominick, and Dion Harry) to create this song, ?i? q?ayig?n, a meditation on respecting each other, finding belonging, and responding with joy.
Note on usage and acknowledgement:
This song is written in ?ay?a?u??m, the language of the ?ohos (Klahoose), Tla’Amin, Xwemalhkwu (Homalco), and K’ómoks Nations. This song is for anyone from these Nations, as well as those from the Cortes Island community to sing when gathered together in celebration. When you sing and teach this song, please remember to honour the story of how it came to be, the people who worked together to create it, and the inspiration found in the ancestors, land and water of the T’oq qaymex?. Remember to give thanks to the many generations of warriors who have protected and shared Salish cultures and languages, which continue to grow and be practiced to this day.
source
