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 Muin'iskw and I were privileged to receive the
amazing gift of songs from the Spirits. I believe that these songs are
important messages, and that it was our task to record them and make
them available for people who need to hear them. After a number of years
of learning the hard way about home recording, we released an album
called "Spirit Songs," and we called ourselves "Crowfeather." Below are
descriptions of each track, and a link to a short excerpt from each
song. In some cases I created a video for the song, and links are
provided for those too.
If you wish to purchase a CD, you can find it on
Amazon or Chapters, or you can buy one directly
here.
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Prayer to the Four Directions |
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This was the first song that came
to us, all in a rush one weekend morning. It speaks of a
morning smudging ceremony to the four directions, and
the things in each direction that the Mi'kmaw traditions
honour. |
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Stories In The Stone |
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The slate outcrops along the shores of Kejimkujik
Lake carry hundreds of incised images from hundreds of years ago. This
is a wonderful place to go to make a connection with the spirits of the
Ancestors, and Muin'iskw was a caretaker and interpreter of these
precious images for many years. It was only natural that we write and
dedicate a song to the area and tell its story.
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One Voice, One Song |
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Some years ago we had the
privilege of speaking with Navajo Elder Leon Secatero.
As we talked of the environmental and societal problems
facing the world, he said that we needed to stand
together and speak with one voice, and sing one song, in
order to face our problems as one people. That statement
is the root of this song. |
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Return Of The Ancestors |
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Those who follow Native
traditions are keenly aware that the Ancestral Spirits
are making themselves known like never before. The Earth
is preparing for a great upheaval, and the Spirits are
here to help us prepare. This song honours those that
have chosen to be here to assist us. |
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Child Of The Dawn |
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In our hearts we believe that
this song came from the spirits as a means of sending
out a message to our Youth. There was a request for
prayer from a First Nation community member for a family
who just lost their child through suicide. It is a song
of promise to the children of Mi'kmaki, to be there for
them and to help them deal with the problems that face
First Nations peoples all across Canada.
It is also a call for all of us
to make this same promise to our young ones, and if our
own lives are so messed up that we cannot do this, then
we need to get ourselves together so we can make things
better for the next generation. |
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Warrior Spirit |
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Too many of our men are caught up
in cycles of drugs, alcohol and abuse, all too often
their lives end in suicide. Yet each of them carries
within the proud heritage of a people who have lived
proud and free for millennia.
We dedicate this song to our
Native brothers of all First Nations - you are the
warriors of today, and the Elders of tomorrow. What
example will you set for the young men? May you find
strength in your traditions, and walk a path of sobriety
into a better future. |
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Three Spruce Poles |
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This song tells the story of a
grandfather teaching his young grandson how to build a
wigwam, and using the opportunity to teach a lesson
about life and the importance of family, friends, and
Spiritual beliefs. The story follows the lad through
life, seeing how the lesson follows him as he grows,
until finally he passes the lesson on to his own
grandson. |
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The Voice Of The Thunderbeings |
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This song finds a young lad on
his first Fast, learning that his Spirit Guide is the
Thunderbird. Thunderbird follows him as he matures,
guiding him on his path, until the time comes when he
passes to the other side. |
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She Calls To Me |
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This poem was written by Strong
Bear Red Heart some years ago, and it touched me deeply.
I was given permission to include it in our album. He
has passed since he wrote these words, and the world is
a poorer place. |
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The Final Journey |
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In the end, we all pass over to
the Spirit world, and in the Native tradition that
passing is marked by ceremony and song. We dedicate this
song to our Elders, and to those who have passed and
continue to help us along our road. |
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Epit, Nkwe'ji'j (Woman, My Sister) |
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This is a song that is dedicated to
Mi'kmaq women, and to Native American women everywhere.
It acknowledges the harshness of the lives that so many
of them lead, with abuse, child suicide, and despair as
constant companions on the reserves. The road they walk
is hard, and long, and often lonely, and this song
reflects that. It is not a pretty song... but theirs is
not always a pretty life.
But in the end, this is also a song of hope, because it
also evokes the strength of the Native woman's spirit,
and the certainty that, one day, they will pass through
the storm, and find a peaceful life at last.
This song was not ready in time for
our album release. |
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Your
talents are a gift from Creator.
How you use them is the gift you give back to Creator. |
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