Mahti Mamawi Nikamotan (Let’s all sing together) was commissioned by the Kodály Society of Canada on the occasion of the organization’s 50th anniversary.
Mahti Mamawi Nikamotan celebrates and acknowledges the important relationship and connection between young and elderly family members in Cree communities. One of the many roles youth are given is to help attend to the needs of their elderly relatives in a caregiver role, such as bringing them tea, foods, medicines, and comfort in the home, at community events, on the land, or during ceremonies. The youth, in turn, are given valuable skills and knowledge, such as stories and teachings, that will guide them in their life journeys into adulthood. This is demonstrating reciprocity, respect, relationships, responsibility, and the strengthening of kinship that shows love, sakihitowin.
Mahti mamawi nikamotan
[mʌh -tI mʌ – mʌ – wI nI – kʌ – mo – tʌn]
muhh-tih muh-muh-wih nih-kuh-moh-tuhn
Let’s all sing together
Oskayisînowak ekwa awasisak
[o -skʌ: I – si – no – wʌk e – kwʌ ʌ – wʌ – sIs – ʌk]
oh-skuhyih-see-noh-wuhk ay-kwuh uh-wuh-sihs-uhk
Youth/young people and children
Wîcinkamomik
[wi – tʃIn – kʌ – mo – mIk]
wee-chihn-kuh-moh-mihk
Sing with me
Kohkominawak
[koh – ko – mIn – ʌ – wʌk]
kohh-koh-mihn-uh-wuhk
Grandmothers
Kimosominawak
[kI – mo – som – In – ʌ – wʌk]
kih-moh-sohm-ihn-uh-wuhk
Grandfathers
Cover Art Design
“The Round Dance” created by Lance Cardinal ᐊᐧᒐᐢᐠ from the Bigstone Cree Nation in Treaty 8 territory. Lance is a 2-Spirit artist, designer, and television personality and comes from the community of Calling Lake, Alberta. His colourful and vibrant work can be seen all over Alberta and showcases the beauty and ideals of the Cree people.
