Nipîy

Nipîy (Water Song) was inspired by an afternoon of fishing along the Lesser Slave River on the Sawridge Cree Nation in Treaty 8 territory near Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada. It reflects a summer experience of sitting in quiet solitude, waiting for a fish to bite while noticing the river’s movement and listening to the birds, the wind and the water with a busy beaver working nearby. A large, northern pike was caught that evening. Cree teachings about fish teach that fish are meant to be food for all mammals and other fish and that they give medicine through their oils, minerals and vitamins, feeding and protecting our people for generations. Fish continue to be a source of sustenance and nourishment in the diets of many Cree people so it is important that we share our catch with the Elders and those we love.

Traditional Cree teachings about water teach us that water is the source and essence of all life and without water, there is no life. Water feeds us just as Mother Earth feeds us. It brings comfort and direction; when lost in the woods, water provides a path to follow and a system of landmarks when hunting and being on the land. When we meet the water, we must acknowledge its spirit and give thanks for all it provides.

Nipîy (Water Song) was commissioned in 2021 by the Canadian Chamber Choir (Dr. Julia Davids, Artistic Director and Dr. Joel Tranquilla, Associate Conductor) with support from the SOCAN Foundation.

The recoding featured here is from the Canadian Chamber Choir’s recording: Where Waters Meet.

Ôtah nîyayân
I am here.

Nitayapin cîkih nipîhk
I sit beside the water.

Kisâmintin
I touch you.

Kipîhtatin
I hear you.

Kiwâpamtin
I see you.

Ôtah nîyayân
I am here.

Papîyahtik nitapin
I sit quietly.