Merry Christmas
from Our Drumming Circle
Hope! Peace! Joy! Love!
from all of us to all of you
Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year!
This Page is for our Drumming Circle
– a small group of women who come together (as often as we can) to drum!
Getting together in our Drumming Circle is a powerful experience of community and fellowship.
It is a time to connect to our inner selves, to one another, and to the ancestors
– a time of sharing.
Contacts if you need HELP!
Emergency (Medical | Police | Fire)? Call 911
Mental Health and Addictions Crisis? Call 811
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 9-8-8
Domestic Violence Helpline 1-888-709-7090
Lifewise Warm Line (province wide, 9am-12 midnight daily): 1-855-753-2560
Kids Help Phone (24/7): 1-800-668-6868
Provincial Emergency Shelter Line: 1-833-724-2444
Transition Houses
- Willow House – Corner Brook & Area (Toll Free Crisis Line: 1-866-634-4198)
- Cara Transition House – Gander & Area (Toll Free Crisis Line: 1-877-800-2272)
Drumming at Boyd's Cove
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation 2024
Regalia Workshop
We were so fortunate to take part in a two-day regalia-making workshop. We owe special thanks to Chief Nellie Power of the Sple’tk First Nation Band for arranging funding through the Mi’kmaq Culture Foundation and the Exploits Native Women’s Association. Without the funding, it would not have been possible. Chief Nellie also planned and coordinated the workshop. Thank you so much. Also, special thanks to Bonnie Miller, our instructor. It was a lot of work but so much fun!
Eighteen members of our Drumming Circle were able to take part, each one successfully completing her own outfit. The finished products were beautiful.
Drumming for a special friend, Kim – 2023
The following is a small selection of the songs we are learning. The Table of Contents is linked to each song. You can read the lyrics directly from this site or, if you prefer, you can download the song book by clicking the button below.
Some of Our Songs
There are often different versions of the same songs used by other circles and groups. However, we have included only the ones we use in our Circle. The songs are in Mi’Kmaq and other languages. Some were passed on to us long before there was a written version. They have been sung from generation to generation and are another of our connections to the ancestors.
Giveaway Song
Note: This song is in the Pasawuqeme language
See o dans de ma so wee no ma gil wah yo (2)
Ja gig awah sun sisk ka mish
Na gopsi det nee gon ya
Maylanya yo dee dah gay
Chorus:
a-way-ah-hey-ah
a-way-ah-hey-ah-hey-ah-hey
a-way-ah-hey-ah
a-way-ah-hey-ah-hey-ah-hey
a-way-ah-hey-ha
a-way-ah-hey-ha
a-way-ah-hey
a-way-ah-way-ah-hey-ah-hey-ah-hey
See o dan eej a nah gil wah yo (2)
Ja gig awah sun sisk ka mish
Na gopsi det nee gon ya
Maylanya yo dee dah gay
See o dan de deej we no de gee gil wah yo (2)
Ja gig awah sun sisk ka mish
Na gopsi det nee gon ya
Maylanya yo dee dah gay
See o dan opi gee gil wah yo (2)
Ja gig awah sun sisk ka mish
Na gopsi det nee gon ya
Maylanya yo dee dah gay
See o dan ski de me gil wah yo (2)
Ja gig awah sun sisk ka mish
Na gopsi det nee gon ya
Maylanya yo dee dah gay
See o dan vermah so we no ma gil way yo (2)
Ja gig awah sun sisk ka mish
Na gopsi det nee gon ya
Maylanya yo dee dah gay
Honour Song
Geb-me-day-de-mah-nej don delly ull-nole-deek
Ni-gah-mahj-dood (gay) mah-wee-dah-nej
Geb-me-day-de-mah-nej don wed-ah-beck-sool-deeg
Ni-gah-mahj-dood (gay) ah-bone-mah-dole-dee-nej
Ah-bone-mah-dolt-dee-nej don Gee-soolk delly ee-gah-loog-seeg
oo-lah wis-geet-ah-moo way-yah-hey-yoh
Way-yoh-way-hi-yah
Way-yoh-way-yoh-way-hi-yah
Way-yoh-way-hi-yah
Way-yoh-way-hi-yah
Way-yoh-way-hi-yah
Way-yoh-way-hi-yah
Way-yoh-way-hi-yah-hay-yoh
(Repeat four times)
English Translation
Let us greatly respect our being L’nu
My people let us gather
Let us greatly respect our native roots
My people let us help one another
Let us help one another as Creator intended when he put us
on this earth
Green Corn: Song to Honour Mother Earth
Yoney Yoney ya hey ha igano laya
Yoney Yoney ya hey ha igano lay
Yoney Yoney ya hey ha igano laya
Yoney Yoney ya hey ha igano lay
He gon naj gik doonn gek igano lay
He gon naj gik doonn gek igano lay ya
Strong Woman Song
Whey hey ya, Whey hey ya hey yo
Whey hey ya, Whey hey ya hey yo
Whey hey ya, Whey hey ya
Whey hey ya, Whey hey ya Whey hey ya
Whey hi yo
Whey hey ya whey hey ya whey hi ya
Whey hey ya, whey hey ya whey hey ya
Whey hi yo
(Repeat 4 times)
What we know about the Strong Woman Song:
“That’s actually an old song. It was a social song that was sung at Round Dances. I stand to be corrected but this is what I was told: Maggie Paul, an elder from Saskatchewan, brought the song into the women’s penitentiary and taught it to them. She spent a lot of time with them, keeping them connected to their culture, music and whatnot. It had another title at the time but what I guess had happened is that there were riots and … things were going on in the women’s prison. They were being raped and ridiculed and all this sort of stuff (by the prison guards). What happened is that a group of women basically stepped together and sang that song continuously while this was happening and they were left untouched. I guess this secret energy came over them and that is how the song become known as “The Strong Woman’s Song.”
~ Kym Grouchie
friendshipcentre.ca
Welcome Song
Kwan oh dey-ey, kwan oh dey-ey
Kwan oh dey-ey, kwan oh diya
Kwan oh dey-ey, kwan oh dey-ey
Kwan oh dey-ey, kwan oh diya
Kwan oh dey-ey ey kwan oh dey hey
Kwan oh dey-ey kwan oh dey-ey
Kwan oh dey-ey, kwan oh diya
Feast Song
He go He gon day
Way o way way o hey
Gwan a lee a gwan oh day
Gwan a lee a gwan oh day
Gwan a lee a gwan oh day ney hey a tay ho
Hey a kay day a ka
Gwan a lee a gwan oh day
Gwan a lee a gwan oh day
Gwan a lee a gwan oh don ney hey a tay ho
Hey a ka day a ka
Gwan a lee a gwan oh day
Gwan a lee a gwan oh day
Gwan a lee a gwan oh don ney hey a tay ho
Hey a ka day a ka
Gwan a lee a gwan oh day
Gwan a lee a gwan oh day
Gwan a lee a gwan oh don ney hey a tay ho
Ta Hoe!
Note: This is a song to thank the Creator for all that the Creator provides. It also symbolizes the tradition of sharing all resources among our people
Mi’kmaq Prayer Song
Way Hey Ya Hey Hey Nu
Way Hey Ya Hey Hey Nu
Way Hey Ya Hey Hey Nu Yah
Hey nu yah, hey nu
Hey nu yah, hey nu … nu yah
Hey nu yah, hey nu
Hey nu yah, hey nu … yah
Hey nu yah, hey nu
Hey nu yah, hey nu … nu yah
Hey nu yah, hey yah
Hey nu yah … ahey nu yah
Travelling Song
Wey hey ya hey ya hey yo
Wey hey ya hey ya hey yo
Wey hey ya hey ya hey yo-o
Wey hey ya hey ya hey yo
(Repeat 4 times)
Water Song - fast
Wishita do a do ya do ya
Wishita do ya do ya hey
Wishita do a do ya do ya
Wishita do ya do ya hey
Wisha teneya heya heya
Wisha teneya heya hey
Wisha teneya heya heya
Wisha teneya heya hey
Water Song - slow
Medah somaguan
Skoo wee jun
Shoo way jun
Medah somaguan
(Repeat 7 times)
Woodpecker Song (Bapasay)
Bapasay, Bapasay
Bay Gee shik tay ahh koo gay
Ya yay a way heyo yo yo
Way heya away heya
Way heya away heya
Yay a ya way heyo yo yo
The woodpecker is knocking on the door of your heart with his beak, saying to your little child within
“Hey you! (knock, knock, knock). Can you come out and play? Open up your heart and let the good medicine in! Share your good medicine with Creation!”
This song was given to me by Nokomis Wasgone Debassige Kwe (My Grandmother, “Blooming Flower Far Reaching Light Woman”). I learned through her example that no matter the age, everyone must live in balance of work and play. I hope that this song and Bapasay help you and you choose to enjoy your days. Wela’lin
~ Sittingbear Scott Debassige
Song Translation
Bapasay (the woodpecker),
Bapasay (the woodpecker)
Bay Gee shik (all day)
Tay ahh koo gay (is knocking)
(The woodpecker, all day, is knocking)
Smudging Ceremony
We normally begin our drumming session with a Smudging Ceremony which is a sacred ceremony meant to purify and cleanse the soul of negative thoughts and energy. For each of us, it is a different and personal experience. It is always a peaceful and wonderful way to begin!
The four elements of a Smudge include:
- the container
- four sacred plants from Mother Earth (tobacco, sage, sweetgrass, cedar)
- fire produced from the lighting of the plants
- the smoke produced from the fire
We stand in a circle with one person taking the lead. The plants are placed in the bowl and ignited. The flames are gently blown out and the sacred smoke, which heals the mind, heart and body, is wafted over each person with an eagle feather. The person being smudged pulls the smoke to them, first covering their hands, then over the head, the eyes, the mouth, the ears, shoulders, heart and finally pushing the smoke downward toward the feet. Turning around, the smoke is wafted over the back and the eagle feather touches each shoulder marking the end of the individual smudge. This is continued for each person in the circle.
The ashes are later emptied on bare soil returning it to Mother Earth.
About the Eagle
The eagle represents love, one of the seven Sacred Teachings. The eagle has the ability to fly highest and closest to the Creator. It also has the sight to see all the ways of being from great distances. The Eagle’s teaching of love are in the core of all teachings, therefore an eagle feather is considered the highest honor and a sacred gift.
The 7 Sacred Teachings
- Love – represented by the Eagle
- Humility – represented by the wolf
- Bravery – represented by the bear
- Honesty- represented by the sabe or Bigfoot
- Wisdom – represented by the beaver
- Truth – represented by the turtle
- Respect – represented by the buffalo
