Music Cape Breton's Diversity in Unity

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.

Artist

Dancing Eagles Drum Group

Dancing Eagles Drum Group, which later became Free Spirit, performed the Mi’kmaw Honour Song at the Membertou First Nation Micmac-Scottish Concert held on July 1, 1990. The drummers were Sulian Herney, his son Autwen Herney, Roy Herney, Charlie Poulette, Vaughn Doucette, and Henry Augustine (Elsipogtog, New Brunswick) of the Birch Creek Singers. The drum used in this performance has a special significance: it belonged to Edward Kabatay, an elder from the Membertou First Nation.