The translation of O Come All Ye Faithful into Mi’kmaq represents the “new” hymn-singing tradition in Mi’kma’ki. While this song itself is well-established in Christian Christmas song repertoires, the “old” hymn-singing tradition among the Mi’kmaq refers to Gregorian Chant singing. Here it is sung by the Mi’kmawey School choir in Potlotek (Chapel Island) as part of their Christmas celebration. For comparison, please refer to the Kyrie, Offertory, or Pange Lingua.

This video was recorded in December, 1981, at the Mi’kmawey School in Potlotek.

Watch the Mi’kmawey School choir perform another song from this Christmas celebration here.

O Come All Ye Faithful, 1981. Mi’kmawey School choir. FT-2(8a). Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.

Kepmite’tmnej, Mi’kmaw Honour Song, was received in the sweatlodge by George Paul in the 1980s. A singer-songwriter from the Metepenagiag First Nation (Red Bank), New Brunswick, George has been involved with the Traditional Movement in reviving Mi’kmaw songs, chants, and ceremonies for over thirty years. This song features a combination of meaningful text in Mi’kmaq and vocables.

Mi’kmaw Honour Song, 1990. Dancing Eagles. FT-95. Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.

This selection comes from the film footage of Song of Eskasoni (1993, NFB/Morningtide Films). Directed by Brian Guns, the film celebrates the life, poetry and song of Rita Joe.

Mi’kmaq Lament For The Dead, 1992. Rita Joe/Brian Guns. Song of Eskasoni Collection. Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.

Rita Joe describes this Mi’kmaq Lament For The Dead:

The customs of various tribes
Are many.
The Mi’kmaw observe the rules
Of guiding traditions.

When a native dies, immediate supplications for the dead are said by a member of the family or the nearest relative. Then they wait with the prepared body for a three day wake, at which native prayers and hymns are sung and food and comfort given freely.

Then the Mass for the dead is sung by the priest and we answer prayers by the priest in Micmac. The hymns that we hear in our own tongue often move the native people to tears, for they are more beautiful to us heard in our own language.

When the body is being lowered into the ground, the native choir members sing a hymn that has been handed down for centuries:

Ma’lta elasnl Se’susil,
Saqamaw, wula i’mu’sipn,
Mu pa npisoqq wijikitiekaq,
Skatu kejitu nike’,
Kisu’lk iknimultal msit ta’n tel-tamjil.

Then the Grand Chief tells the people that there will be a gathering at the community hall where food, donated by the people from the reservation, is served to the other visitors.

Then the deceased’s personal belongings and donations from the people are gathered together and an auction is held. There are instances where people will give the last they have to the auction. Then, when it is over, the bills are paid and if any money is left, it goes to the surviving family.

Habits of old
Our elders teach;
We honour, and we tell.

Poems of Rita Joe, Abanaki Press, 1978.

The Kyrie is sung at almost every Catholic mass, as it is part of the Ordinary of the Mass. These texts remain the same regardless of the Feast Day or date in the liturgical calendar. Because parishioners would be familiar with it, it was traditionally set to more ornate music. Thus, the text-setting is melismatic – many pitches to each syllable.

This field recording was collected by Ronnie MacEachern in 1978.

Kyrie, 1978. Noel Pol Denny. T-1076. Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.

This Feast song was performed by the Eskasoni Mi’kmaq Dancers at the Membertou Micmac-Scottish Concert held on July 1, 1990. There are several Kwanute songs that are common among the Mi’kmaq and other Wabenaki Nations, such as the Maliseet (cite Tara Browner). Like the I’ko song, the text here is comprised of vocables and is not translatable.

Kwa’nu’te’, 1990. Sarah Denny and the Eskasoni Mi’kmaq Dancers. FT-95. Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.

This song is often referred to as Ave Maria because those are the words in the refrain; however, the English title is Immaculate Mary. Like the text of God Save The Queen, this song celebrates Mary, the Mother of God. This same tune can be heard at St. Anne’s Day celebrations in the song Good Ol’ St. Anne in which the text focuses on St. Anne, the Grandmother of Christ.

The identity of this performer is unknown. Please contact us if you are able to identify this individual.

Kulein. Unknown S. T-039. Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.

In this selection, Noel Marshall sings five Ko’jua songs accompanied by a ji’kmaqn – a traditional Mi’kmaw rattle made of split ash. This was performed as part of a re-enactment in December, 1981 of the Christmas visiting custom, referred to as Pestie wa’taqtimk. As part of this custom, community members would travel from house to house visiting individuals who were named for saints and present them with gifts tied to crosses. This custom also included the sharing of food and celebration through dance.

This video was recorded in December, 1981, at the Mi’kmawey School in Potlotek.

Ko’jua, 1981. Noel Marshall. FT-2(8a). Beaton Institute, Cape Breton University.