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Accompanied by an original musical composition representing a soundscape of land and water, Craig Commanda preserves the words of Elder Albert Dumont, bringing the voice of Akikodjiwan to life.
Storyteller Statement: Craig Commanda
This work represents the voice of Akikodjiwan. I worked with Elder Albert Dumont’s poem, titled Akikodjiwan, and had some help getting it translated into Anishinaabemowin. I felt that this piece was important, and by getting it translated I wanted to bring the work forward into the present, and eventually the future by recording this poem with my voice into a digital medium. I then composed some music, inspired by how it might’ve felt to be there. I brought in some sounds of Anishinaabe Aki with the help of my friends and my relations, to further give a sense of time and place. Lastly, I wanted to have the place and sound of the water itself be a part of the listening experience as the piece continues playing.
With thanks to:
Albert Dumont / Mariette Buckshot / Howard Adler / Heather Schnarr / Jeremie de Villier
Story transcript
Algonquin / English
Albert Dumont: od-àdodàgan / Poem copyright by Albert Dumont
Mariette Buckshot: Kà anishinàbe ànakanotang / Translated to Algonquin by Mariette Buckshot
Màmawe Pakìgin / With the skin
Anàm-ki-zidiminàning / On the soles of our feet
Ki tànginànàn kàgìdàdj, Kichi-twàgamig / We gently touch, the sacred surface
Akikodjiwang / of Akikodjiwan
Manido Minitigong / The spirit of the island
Kògaham asining, mayà-godj pineshìnj / Rises from the rock, like a bird
Pìndigedjiwang ki miskwì-odeying / Soaring into the blood of our hearts
Kid-ishpinikenimin ako kìjigong / We raise our hands into the sky
Anangoshag nìsigodjinowag, kidji nòki-tànginindjìgozìyàng / The stars descend, to caress our palms
Ki wàsàbimin / We open our eyes
Nandawàbandamàng miziwekamigong, wànakìnàniwang / And search the universe, at peace
Kijigàbandamàng kichi-nesidotàgwasinog odengwan / Looking upon the face / Of the Great Mystery
Ki pizindànànàn Kichi Zìbì / We listen to the Kichi Zibi / Of the Algonquin Anishinabe
Ogì nòsehadòn mìkàns / She has followed the path
Mino manido kà ojitòdj / Created for her by Mino Manido
Kikinòwijiwewàdjin ako Akikodjiwang / Guiding her to sacred Akikodjiwan
Ìndì kichi-inwewining nibìng / Where the mighty voice of water
Mikomàdjin pemàdizidjig egà màmawe nibì / Reminds all Peoples that without water
Kakina pimàdiziwin akìng, kada angoshkà / All life of this world, would perish
Tibik-kìzis wàsakonendàn minitig / The moon illuminates the island
Ki ganonigonàn / She speaks to us
Eji sàgitoòdj nibì / Of her love for water
Ishkode piskanetong onòndàn dibàdjimowin / The fire we kindle hears her message
Ishpakonese / His flames rising ever higher
Ki wàwiye-nìminàniwinànan, nigamowag pàwitigog / Our circle dances, the rapids sing
Pate apìch apabowashk-ishkwàdeg / The smoke of burning sage
Pimiwidjigàde ki nigamonànàn / Carries our chanting song
Ako ki kòkòmisiminànig kaye ki mishòmisiminànig / Eji tanakìwàdj /To the eternal home / Of our grandmothers and grandfathers
Nibì pàwatigong / The waters of the Falls
O-dodàpanàn nasemàn mìgiweyàng màmawe tabasenindizowin / Swallow our humble offerings of tobacco
Kid-andewemànàn Mino Manido / We call upon the Good Spirit
Kidji kìjeninimàdjin / To bless
Kakina wìdji-pemàdizidjig / All the Peoples of our Nations
Kàgige kijewàdizìhiwidà / Kid-ikidomin / “Let us always be kind / To one another” we say
Manàdjitodà kakina / “And honour all things
Kije manido kìjenindjige ondje pemàdizidjig / Creator provides to humankind
Ondje kid-abinodjìshiminànig kidji mino pimàdiziwàdj / So our children can live joyful lives”
Ki nànìbawimin màmawe kijewàdiziwin kid-odeying / We stand with kindness in our hearts
Wagidj kichi minitigong / On a sacred island
Eji mashkawàg wàwiyàng / Where the circle is always strong
Eji ategin pemàdizì-inàkonigewinan / Where our instructions as human beings
Ombishkàg, tidibàshkipakwene Akikodjiwang / Rise, encircled in the mist of Akikodjiwan
Kijìweg wìkongewàdj, nandawenindàgoziwàdj / They call loudly, wanting to be reclaimed
Kidji gìkenindjigàdeg shàbwìmagak / To assure the survival
Kakina chìnawendàganag / Of all their relations
Credits
Interpreted from a Memory from Albert Dumont
Mariette Buckshot, Howard Adler, Heather Schnarr, Jeremie de Villiers
Additional credits:
Brit Johnston, Artist Liaison
Howard Adler, Videographer
Jaime Morse, Consulting (Ottawa)
Heather Cant, Consulting (Indigenous Cities)
Thank you to our partners
- Major Partner, Indigenous Programming
