© Ontario Native Literacy Coalition, 2019 Written by: Darriene Martin Davis Jacobs Singers: Tracy Shenandoah Pierce Abrams Language translations by: Gloria Williams Tracy Shenandoah Pierce Abrams ISBN # 987-1-989431-02-3 Published by Turtle’s Back Publishing A division of the Ontario Native Literacy Coalition LEARNING THROUGH THE MUSIC OF OUR PEOPLE Acknowledgements Sgę:nǫ’ Thank you to Heritage Canada, Aboriginals Peoples’ Program, Aboriginal Languages Initiative component, and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. Ce project a été rendu possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada, and Ontario Government. Indigenous language literacy and learning is an integral component of the ONLC programs as they are the foundation of Indigenous identity. This language song booklet is done in the Onondaga language and includes three songs—a traditional song, a children’s song and a contemporary song, all used by the Onondaga. I would like to first thank our summer students (2018), Darienne Martin and Davis Jacobs who worked together with a collaborative effort to organize, write and design this booklet. Thank you to our translators/singers Gloria Williams, Pierce Abrams and Tracey Shenandoah. Also thank you to Simon Hill for assistance with the CD’s. This learning language song book has a cd that will accompany it. Language learning is meant to be fun, enjoy! Nia:wen, Michelle Davis Chief Executive Officer Ontario Native Literacy Coalition LEARNING THROUGH THE MUSIC OF OUR PEOPLE © Ontario Native Literacy Coalition, 2019 2 LEARNING THROUGH THE MUSIC OF OUR PEOPLE LEARNING THROUGH THE MUSIC OF OUR PEOPLE TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction .................................................................................... 4 The Forms of Music........................................................................ 6 Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star ...................................................... 8 It’s Crying ......................................................................................... 9 Jambalaya ........................................................................................ 11 Instruments Used ........................................................................... 13 About The Singers/Translators ................................................... 15 About The Authors ......................................................................... 17 References ......................................................................................... 19 3 LEARNING THROUGH THE MUSIC OF OUR PEOPLE INTRODUCTION By Darienne Martin Many Indigenous communities have their histories founded on the wisdom that has been passed down for generations. Our ancestors were able to pass down our culture, history, and spirituality through oral communication. The remarkable yet terrifying aspect of oral communication is the lack of written sources one can find. Due to this lack of written resources along with various other reasons, many communities were not able to maintain their languages and could not continue the cycle of passing on knowledge. Those communities that did maintain their languages thrive as they continue to teach the youth the importance of giving thanks, the meaning behind our traditional ceremonies, and continue to speak their native language. The Ontario Native Literacy Coalition’s goal is to introduce the concept of indigenous language literacy to communities across Ontario. We do this in hopes to revitalize some of these languages so parents are able to teach their children. We accomplish this by attaching a CD within our books Learning Through the Music of Our People. This CD contains a children’s, traditional, and a contemporary song. Additionally, we write out the lyrics in both English and the native language. We have previously written these books 4 LEARNING THROUGH THE MUSIC OF OUR PEOPLE with the Mohawk, Cayuga, and Anishinaabe language. This year our focus is Onondaga and Cree. There are many reasons as to why we incorporate songs in our books. One important reason is that there are various ways individuals learn. Online resources state that there are several types of learning. There’s “visual, aural, verbal, physical, logical, social, and solitary." (Learning-styles-online.com, 2018) We use five of these styles (visual, aural, verbal, social and solitary) so various types of learners can expand their knowledge. Another important reason is that singing is a healthy way to express oneself. When individuals sing, they release emotions that have been weighing on them. A journal article titled “A World of Music Through Community Singing” by Nick Page states that “Because at its core, singing is the vocalization of emotions, the sounding of the heart.” (pg. 73). This shows that singing releases emotions within one’s heart. This can help individuals get through tough times or to express their happiness. Page continues, “… For most societies joining together in song is central to its identity and being. And in most of these cultures, it is not a few who sing, everyone sings. It brings the people power: It unites them and connects them to their past, living traditions kept alive through this verb we call singing.” (pg. 73). This quote closely ties in with various indigenous communities. Singing brings the community 5 LEARNING THROUGH THE MUSIC OF OUR PEOPLE together, it is a way that we give thanks to the creator for the life around us. In brief, these songbooks are meant to reunite indigenous peoples with their native language. We want to help guide those around us to rediscover their passion for the culture and to feel connected with those around them. We hope to inspire those around us and help the culture to thrive once again. FORMS OF MUSIC Throughout the Onǫ:da’gega’ culture there are many different ways to use the language of song for different purposes. Song is used in Ceremony, and for socials where the purpose is to gather, dance and have fun, or contemporary songs mixing both mainstream and the language of the Mohawk together. Ceremonial songs - Music is used for forms of healing and giving thanks, among other things. These songs were given to the Onǫ:da’gega’ specifically for ceremonial purposes or medicine rituals and have been passed down through the generations. These ancient songs Drawing by Russell Davis continue to be used throughout the communities of the Onǫ:da’gega’ territory. 6 LEARNING THROUGH THE MUSIC OF OUR PEOPLE Social songs - These songs are used in the social aspect, in gatherings big and small that bring people together for the purpose of not only dancing and socializing but as well as to have fun and meet new people. Social songs consist of traditional songs used for many generations and of new songs composed and sung in Lotinosho:ni languages. Children's songs - Children’s songs are used as amusement or to calm an infant or child and may have a learning message within the verses. Children's songs may be traditional songs passed from one generation to the next or they may be contemporary mainstream songs translated into Songs are often passed down Onǫ:da’gega’ languages. Many to younger generations of these songs are used in the school setting and are an excellent recourse for learning traditional languages. Contemporary songs – Contemporary songs are mainstream songs translated into Onǫ:da’gega’ languages and are used to express culture through the new forms of music such as rap, blues, rock n roll, etc. It mixes both the language and different styles of music. 7 LEARNING THROUGH THE MUSIC OF OUR PEOPLE These different types of music involving the traditional language of the Onǫ:da’gega’ are all used to express something, whether it be expressing thank you for a certain something, expressing your language through a new style or just having fun and dancing. CHILDREN’S SONG Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star is a children’s nursery rhyme and is sung to entertain babies and young children. This song, along with other children’s songs are useful resources when learning to speak the Onondaga language. This song has been translated into the Onondaga language by Gawęhętha’, and is sung by Pierce Abrams on the CD that accompanies this booklet. Dewatijihsdo:gwahs ojihsdanǫhgwa’ Twinkle, Twinkle little star Gęnǫhdǫ:nyǫk nwa:dę’ nisya’do’dę’ How I wonder what you are 8 LEARNING THROUGH THE MUSIC OF OUR PEOPLE He’tgęh hagwah tsha’ ohwę’jya’de’ Up above the world so high Ayä deyohsda:tehk onę:ya’ Like a diamond in the sky Dewatjihsdo:gwahs ojihsdanǫhgwa’ Twinkle, twinkle little star Gęnǫhdǫ:nyǫk nwa:dę’ nisya’do’dę’ How I wonder what you are TRADITIONAL SONG It’s Crying It’s Crying is a social dance song that is sung at Socials and Sings. The following song was composed by Tracy Shenandoah from The Onondaga Nation. This song is sung four times. Dewaseñ twas geyahne’ My heart ise’ goñ ya’di: saks You’re the one I’m looking for 9 LEARNING THROUGH THE MUSIC OF OUR PEOPLE ise’ goñ noweñkwa You’re the one I love. Dewaseñ twas geyahne’ My heart ise’ goñ ya’di: saks You’re the one I’m looking for ise’ goñ noweñkwa You’re the one I love. Dewaseñ twas geyahne’ My heart ise’ goñ ya’di: saks You’re the one I’m looking for ise’ goñ noweñkwa You’re the one I love. Dewaseñ twas geyahne’ My heart ise’ goñ ya’di: saks You’re the one I’m looking for ise’ goñ noweñkwa You’re the one I love. Picture by Bill Powless 10 LEARNING THROUGH THE MUSIC OF OUR PEOPLE CONTEMPORARY SONG Jambalaya Jambalaya