Allison Bernard Memorial High SchoolThe International Year of Indigenous Languages is a United Nations observance in 2019 that aims to raise awareness of the consequences of the endangerment of Indigenous languages across the world, with an aim to establish a link between language, development, peace, and reconciliation.
To bring awareness to this important cause students at Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni, Cape Breton recorded Paul McCartney's Blackbird in their native Mi'kmaq language.
Songwriter: Paul McCartney Translation: Katani Julian and Albert "Golydada"Julian Music Production: Carter Chiasson Audio Production: Jamie Foulds (Soundpark Studios) Video Production: Matthew Ingraham and Multimedia 12 students from ABMHS Project Lead/Music Teacher: Carter Chiasson
Emma Stevens - Blackbird by The Beatles sung in MikmaqAllison Bernard Memorial High School2019-04-25 | The International Year of Indigenous Languages is a United Nations observance in 2019 that aims to raise awareness of the consequences of the endangerment of Indigenous languages across the world, with an aim to establish a link between language, development, peace, and reconciliation.
To bring awareness to this important cause students at Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni, Cape Breton recorded Paul McCartney's Blackbird in their native Mi'kmaq language.
Songwriter: Paul McCartney Translation: Katani Julian and Albert "Golydada"Julian Music Production: Carter Chiasson Audio Production: Jamie Foulds (Soundpark Studios) Video Production: Matthew Ingraham and Multimedia 12 students from ABMHS Project Lead/Music Teacher: Carter Chiasson
ess-gum-mud-dum-oo-sup-neg nike’ mn-jaw-sin ess-gum-mud-dum-oo-sup-neg nike’ mn-jaw-sin ess-gum-mud-dum-oo-sup-neg nike’ mn-jaw-sinEmma Stevens - Voice of the Earth (Official Music Video)Allison Bernard Memorial High School2024-09-30 | Voice of the Earth was created in partnership with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO in honor of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032).
Voice of the Earth features Mi'kmaq singer songwriter Emma Stevens with staff and students from the Eskasoni Immersion School, the Eskasoni Elementary and Middle School and Allison Bernard Memorial High School.
Voice of the Earth was released on Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada, September 30, 2024.
Songwriters: Carter Chiasson, Emma Stevens, Russell Sullivan, Vivian Jeddore Executive Producer / Music Production: Carter Chiasson Audio Recording: ABMHS Audio Recording and Production 12 Class 2024, Carter Chiasson, Jamie Foulds Audio Production: Jamie Foulds (Soundpark Studios) Video Production: Jason LeFrense (JLF Productions)
//SPECIAL THANKS//
Newell Johnson Isabelle-Levert Chiasson Barbara Filion UNESCO Canada Eskasoni Womens Drum Group ABMHS Drum Group Calvin Stevens Katani Stevens Vivian Jedore Donald Morrison Darren Stevens Chad Tobin Melanie Roach-Walsh Ashley MacIsaac Ed Woodsworth Lyndon MacKenzie
VOICE OF THE EARTH // LYRICS:
VERSE 1 Out on the plains, where the cold winds blow The voice of the earth, it whispers low With endless sky, eagles and buffalo
Sa’qewi-nipukt aqq sipuk (Through ancient trees and rivers wide) Wikim+sk aqq etam+sk (It calls out to you, it calls inside) Situn melkiknat, jiks+tui (Listen close, my voice is strong)
VERSE 2 There’s a whisper on the breeze Of (long) lost hope and memories That haunts me on both sides of my dreams
Tami eymu’ti’k? tami eltayk? (Where we are and where we will go?) Teken awti wije’mu’k (Walk the lines of each shadow) Kaqapt+mu’kek— paqtukewa’q (Seeing all As the earth echos)
VERSE 3 Listen close, the voice of the earth In every breeze, in every birth It speaks of love, it speaks of truth and worth
Jiks+tu (Listen to me) Kiju maqamikew atkitemukt+k mimajuaqn (Mother earth she cries for all life) Wleyatult+nej aq kiknu (Lets treat each other well and our home)Panuijkatmnej Ep.2 - Beaver Trapping // Mikmaq land-based educationAllison Bernard Memorial High School2024-02-23 | Teacher, Dallas Sharpe, with the help of local knowledge holders, takes a group of ABMHS students on a land-based learning outing to teach how to ethically trap and process beavers.
Filmed in Eskasoni First Nation, Cape Breton (Unama'ki), Nova Scotia, Canada on October 26th and 27th, 2023.
Edited by students Aidan Bernard and Levi Stevens. Produced by teachers Dallas Sharpe and Carter Chiasson.
Special thanks to Newell Johnson, Ernest Johnson, Joef Bernard, Tony Sylliboy and Jason Lefrense.Everything Is CircularAllison Bernard Memorial High School2022-06-30 | 'Everything Is Circular' explores our fragile relationship with the Earth and how we can all work together in the spirit of reconciliation so that future generations can thrive while living in harmony with nature.
'Everything is Circular' features ABMHS students Charlie Joe, Kaisa'n Stevens, Mary Katherine Joe and Emma Stevens along with Eskasoni First Nation elder, Albert Marshall.
Videography: Julien Strasfeld and Carter Chiasson Drone Footage: Matthew Ingraham Script and Direction: Carter ChiassonAllison Bernard Memorial High School - Grad Video (2022)Allison Bernard Memorial High School2022-06-28 | Congratulations to the ABMHS class of 2022.The Wendigos – This Love Is Poison (Official Music Video)Allison Bernard Memorial High School2022-06-15 | #domesticviolencehasnogender
“This Love is Poison” is the debut single by 'The Wendigos' from Eskasoni, First Nation (Canada).
“This Love is Poison” was written by The Wendigos and co-written, arranged and produced by Allison Bernard Memorial High School music teacher, Carter Chiasson.
//CREDITS//
The Wendigos Lead Vocals: Kais’an Stevens Bass and vocals: Charlie Joe Lead Guitar: Sidney Francis Guitar: Keefe Denny Drums: Mike Morrison (special guest)
Songwriters: Charlie Joe, Kais’an Stevens (lyrics), Spencer Young, Sidney Francis, Carter Chiasson Music Production: Carter Chiasson, @carter.chiasson Audio Production: Jamie Foulds, @soundparkstudios Video Production: Jason Lafrense, @jlfproductions
Newell Johnson for your continued leadership, guidance and support.
Calvin Stevens for all your work supporting the youth of #Eskasoni and helping us make this project happen.
Maria Alex for the custom #johnnydepp t-shirt
THIS LOVE IS POISON // LYRICS
Face dug down into the sand, mind full of tension to kick the chair Like cyanide this love is poison. Harmful, got no choice, seems so unfair Felt with physical oppression, bruises that leave me with darker tans Large gashes and stinging wounds, forgot where all this abuse began
Ke nuku punajeywi (Please just leave me alone) Ki’s tepi-ewlo’ tasi (Already hurting enough) Aq mu kaqimutimu (And I can’t stand anymore) Etuk nuta’q wula neya’tun? (Should I bring it to the light?)
She won't just leave it all be, here left I'm rotting, acid dissolved Drugs mixed in the hydrochloric, but should I let the law get involved Muted and taped my mouth shut, tied me down, feel no pain, paralyzed Counting the days of the madness, losing sanity, demoralized
CHORUS
(guitar solo)
CHORUS
Frozen in fear, stuck in the cage with the unstable gone mad Itching to hide, can't handle the thought of the one that was beat to wind up hitting the fan
CHORUSBessie Prosper Makes LuskiniknAllison Bernard Memorial High School2022-03-09 | ...Albert Marshall - Reconciliation With the EarthAllison Bernard Memorial High School2022-01-11 | Mi'kmaq elder Albert Marshall of Eskasoni First Nation (Nova Scotia, Canada) speaks about his concept of Two-Eyed Seeing and how it can be a guiding framework in working towards reconciliation with the Earth.
Marshall defines Two-Eyed Seeing as “learning to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing, and from the other eye with the strengths of mainstream knowledges and ways of knowing, and to use both these eyes together, for the benefit of all”.
This segment was filmed for the World Circular Economic Forum (WCEF), 2021.
Video - Julien Strasfeld Audio - Carter Chiasson
#wcef #mikmaq #firstnation #eskasoni #albertmarshall #abmhs #twoeyedseeingPanuijkatmnej Ep.1 - Pukosi Tea // Mikmaq land-based educationAllison Bernard Memorial High School2021-08-11 | Panuijkatmnej is a series of educational videos featuring land-based Mi'kmaq knowledge and teachings.
In this first episode, Eskasoni elder, Ernest Johnson, shares his knowledge of the puko'si plant and other traditional medicines with students, Seth Poulette, and Karzen Toney.
#mikmaq #landbasedlearningEmma Stevens - I Want to Rise (Official Music Video)Allison Bernard Memorial High School2021-07-01 | “I Want to Rise” was created to help bring awareness to the more than 4000 missing and murdered First Nations women and girls from across Canada and the many thousands more #MMIW in the United States of America, and, as well, to help empower First Nations youth to rise above the many challenges they face being indigenous youth in Canada today.
“I Want to Rise” was created in memory of Cassidy Bernard of We’koqma’q First Nation (Nova Scotia, Canada) who was murdered at the age of 22 in 2018. #justiceforcassidy
“I Want to Rise” features lead vocals by grade 12 graduating student, Emma Stevens, and acting performances by grade 9 teacher, Carol Anne Jeddore, and grade 10 student, Mary Katherine Joe. More than 100 staff, students and community members contributed to the project.
“I Want to Rise” was written and produced by Allison Bernard Memorial High School music teacher, Carter Chiasson.
Songwriter: Carter Chiasson Music Production: Carter Chiasson Audio Production: AJ Boutlier, @ajboutlier; Jamie Foulds, @soundparkstudios; Carter Chiasson, @ridge.recordings Video Production: Jason Lafrense (JLF Productions) Mixing and mastering: Jamie Foulds, @soundparkstudios
/Video/ Girl: Mary Katherine Joe Mother: Carol Anne Jeddore MMIW Signs: Lauren Sylliboy Video Concept, planning and direction: Newell Johnson, Carter Chiasson, Emma Stevens, Carol Anne Jeddore, Mary Joe and Maria Alex Language Consultant: Katani Julian Thumbnail: Adam Chiasson
/Music/ Lead Vocal: Emma Stevens Harmony Vocals: Rose Cousins, Nicole Deveau Hand Drum: Michael R Denny Chant: Michael R Denny Jingle: Bethany Cremo-Oakley Voice: Rita Gould. Translation: Don’t stop fighting
Special thanks:
Newell Johnson and Terry Bernard for allowing us to film in your home and for everything you do for our school and the community.
Gibbet Stevens for facilitating the retreat that led to the creation of this project and for your support of the arts and technology programs at ABMHS.
Mary Lou and Hughie MacNeil for allowing us to film on your farm.
Bernie and Judy MacPhee for allowing us to film on your property and for your friendship.
I WANT TO RISE // LYRICS
I dream at night of the city lights, of the sights and the sounds and the feel Of the wind in my hair, the open road, and the stars in the sky as my wheel From the hills to the shore of this little town, my heart aches for what could be So close, yet so far away.. to me And I can’t wait for all the world to see
I wanna rise, I wanna fly Spread my wings, leave the ground and touch the sky I wanna walk this path, this winding road with you I wanna rise, like an eagle in flight Out of the dark, take back the night Bring your voice into the light I wanna rise
These are the days that hearts can break, this is the time and the place I don't know what to think, what to say, how to feel. What is real and what is fake? Can you hear me scream, can you hear me roar, can you see me I'm right here With my heart on my sleeve and my hands in the air
And I can’t wait to meet you when I’m there I wanna rise, I wanna fly Spread my wings, leave the ground and touch the sky I wanna walk this path, this winding road with you I wanna rise, like an eagle in flight Out of the dark, take back the night Bring your voice into the light I wanna rise
Two rays of light shine bright in the night, for all the world to see From the stars in the sky, to the clouds above to the depths of the deep blue sea Can you feel my breath on the wind tonight, can you hear my voice in the air Wherever you go, I’ll be there
Chorus x2 Spread my wings and take flight I wanna riseAllison Bernard Memorial High School - Grad Video (2021)Allison Bernard Memorial High School2021-06-28 | Congratulations to all of our grads!Congratulations to Our Grads! (2021)Allison Bernard Memorial High School2021-06-28 | Congratulations to all ABMHS grads from the teachers and staff at ABMHS.Allison Bernard Memorial High School Academic Awards, 2021Allison Bernard Memorial High School2021-06-02 | Congratulations to all of our students receiving academic awards this year!Ancient and Forever | A Cape Breton Schools Quarantune | Feat. JP Cormier and FriendsAllison Bernard Memorial High School2021-02-16 | Created during the Fall and Winter of 2020 by students, teachers and guests from across Cape Breton Island "Unama'ki", NS, Canada.
Songwriter: JP Cormier Produced by: Carter Chiasson and Nicole Deveau Music Production: Carter Chiasson and Mac Alasdair Dhùghaill Audio Production: Carter Chiasson, AJ Boutlier, JP Cormier Video Production: Nicole Deveau and Carter Chiasson Audio Mix: Jamie Foulds
/English/
Riverview Rural High School Teacher: Monica MacNeil
Allison Bernard Memorial and Eskasoni Elementary and Middle School Teachers: Carter Chiasson, Melanie Roach
Emma Stevens Terrance Poulette Leannah Joe Kalolin Johnson Cameron Denny Bethany Cremo Suri Paul Joy Johnson Adora Johnson Charlie Joe Kaisa’n Stevens Marley Doucette Emma Bernard Zoey Stevens Ekkian Cremo Wyatt Gould Keirstin Denny Kaitlyn burgess Lexa marshall Keyden Stevens Jaylynn Stevens Ella Paul Joseph Gould Layla Johnson Terrell Marshall Asia Marshall Aleigha Bernard Paislyn Bernard Akasha Doucette
Drone Op: Craig M Dance Camera: Charles Paul
/Gaelic/
Translation: Mac Alasdair Dhùghaill
StFx Mórag NicAonghuis Steafan Mac an t-Saoir Abaidh Dhòmhnullach Pàdruig Dòmhnullach
Bayview Ed. Centre Teacher: Tracey MacNeil
Donald Gillis Lucy Gillis Kenny Gillis Elise Munro Ann MacQuarrie Finlay MacDougall Carly Beaton Nora MacNeil Floragael MacNeil Orianna MacNeil Katie Agnes MacNeil Kaisey Mae MacInnis John Hughie MacInnis Hannah Nadasdi Marianna MacIsaac Brett Gillies Maili Cameron Sophie MacDonald
/French/
Translation: Nicole Deveau, Stephanie Craig
École NDA Teacher: Nicole Deveau
Tommy LeBlanc Lauren Bessey Makenna Bourgeois Emma Harris Dayna Larade Hope Deveau
Guitar: JP Cormier Drums: Dylan Mombourquette Bass: Carter Chiasson Piano: Nicole Deveau Fiddle: Colin Grant, Ashley MacIsaac, Shawnee Paul Uilleann Pipes and Whistle: Ryan MacNeil Soprano Sax: Monica MacNeil Banjo: Carter Chiasson Synth: Michelle Deveau Hand Drum: Jeff Ward
Mi'kmaq Chant Richard “Gutch” Poulette Darren Stevens George Paul Thunder Herney Muin Herney
Gaelic Chant Mac Alasdair Dhùghaill Mórag NicAonghuis Steafan Mac an t-Saoir Abaidh Dhòmhnullach Pàdruig Dòmhnullach
Dancers Grass - Muin Paul Jingle - Amera Dennis Augustine Step - Emilie Doucet Highland - Maëlle and Renée Naime
Guests Ronnie Bourgeois Lucy MacNeil Bradley Murphy Devon Paul Yvette Rogers Steven MacDougall Garren Denny Joella Foulds Dallas Sharpe Russell Sullivan Owen “OG” Marshall Buddy MacDonald Michelle Deveau Wesley Colford Kateri Gouthro Jessica Ogley Kira Ogley
/LYRICS/
I have been here since the moon was just a child And the sea flowed like a crystal stream The trees grew strong upon my mountains wild And the sky was the bluest you ever seen Bluer than the sky in an eagles dream
Telui’tijik na Unama’ki (They call me Unama'ki) Aqq tet weli-sankewo’ltipnik (And they lived here in peace) Maliama’tipnik pejita’tijek (They took care of them when they arrived) Katu wapa’qit awanta’sit (But the white man forgets) Ta’n tetuji-wulo’tasultisni’k (How well they were treated by the Mi’kmaq)
Gach iasgair is méinneadair mar mhac (Every fisherman and miner are like a son to me) ‘S dhe m’ stòras thug mi pailteas dhuibh gun dìth (And I shared with them all kinds of my plentitude / abundance) J’ai versé quelques larmes en fin de journée (At the end of the day, I cried a few tears) Pour ceux, au loin, qui se sont endormis (For those who have passed on) Is na creutairean aig muir a chaidh a dhìth. (And the poor souls who were lost at sea)
Nos enfants ont voulu une nouvelle vie (Our children wanted a new life) Et se sont établis en amitié (And have settled here in friendship) Daonnan, mi ‘gan giùlain ‘na mo chridh’ (I always carry them in my heart) An gàire is an ceòl ‘s an ám a thréig (Their music and their laughter in times gone by) Jamais ne seront-ils oubliés (They will never be forgotten)
I am calling to my children come back home Dha ‘n luchd-céilidh a thug spéis dhomh gu mór (And the travellers that came and fell in love) Npilultoqsip apajita’yoq (I will heal you upon your return) Alors que l’aigle surveille là-haut (While the eagle watches high above) Ela’toql alasutmaqnn Wa’so’q (He takes the prayers to Heaven)Mabel & Gerald Robert Francis - ABMHS Role Models of the Year, 2020Allison Bernard Memorial High School2020-12-10 | Congratulations to Mabel & Gerald Robert Francis for being selected by the student body at ABMHS as our 2020 "Role Models of the Year".
Videography by Charles Logan PaulNetajiktulek (We Miss You) - From the Staff of ABMHS to Our Students and Community During COVID-19Allison Bernard Memorial High School2020-04-20 | A message from the teachers, admin and support staff of Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni, First Nation, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada to our students and community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay safe everyone, we miss you.Elder Susie Marshall - Prayer LeaderAllison Bernard Memorial High School2020-04-08 | Darren Stevens interviews Eskasoni First Nations elder Susie Marshall about her life as a prayer leader in the community.Paul McCartney’s Vancouver shoutout to Eskasoni’s Emma StevensAllison Bernard Memorial High School2019-07-07 | Thank you to Adam Chiasson for this special footage. Wela’lin, Adam!Emma Stevens performs at the Inaugural UN-Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya.Allison Bernard Memorial High School2019-05-27 | Emma Stevens speaks about the Red Dress Movement in Canada (MMIW) and sings the Mi'kmaq Honour Song at the First Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly of the United Nations Human Settlements Program on May 27, 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Hello everyone! My name is Emma Stevens, and am truly honored to have been invited here today, to speak and perform for you all at this incredible event, here in the beautiful country of Kenya. This is my first time being abroad and I don’t think that I could possibly feel more welcomed. I would like to sincerily thank the UN for this incredible honor. In my language, Mi’kmaq, we say the word wela’lioq to say thankyou to a group of people. So.. wela’lioq to everyone here today from the bottom of my heart.
My home is the community of Eskasoni First Nation on the island of Unama’ki in Nova Scotia, Canada. Like many places in the world today, being an indigenous person in Canada is not without it’s challenges. Even in a modern democratic country like Canada, indigenous people are still fighting for equality, justice and reconciliation. In the short time that I have here today, I would like to speak to you about two important issues that affect all indigenous Canadians that are near and dear to my heart.
I would first like to take a moment to tell you all about the dress that I am wearing today. This dress is a traditional Mi’kmaw women’s ribbon dress. The ribbons are the colors of fire, because of the passion I feel for my culture, language and heritage. The color red also represents a movement we have in Canada called the Red Dress movement, which seeks to bring attention to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. It saddens me to say that 4,000 indigenous women in my country have gone missing or were murdered since the 1970’s and many of these crimes have gone unsolved. I wear this traditional Mi’kmaw ribbon dress, in red, to honour these women and girls, and to pay tribute to their loved ones who have lost their daughters, sisters, and mothers.
For these women and girls, and for you, I would like to sing a song that is very sacred to the Mi’kmaq - the Mi’kmaq Honor Song. If you are able, please stand.
The second issue I would like to talk about, is the rapid loss of my native language, Mi’kmaq. Like many indigenous languages around the world, Mi’kmaq is endangered. Today, there are less than 10,000 people left in the entire world who can speak Mi’kmaq and this number is rapidly in decline. It saddens me to say that it is believed that within 2 generations, Mi’kmaq is predicted to be lost forever. Unless we all come together, join hands, and work together to help save Mi’kmaq, and other dying languages of course, it is very likely that people like me in the not too distant future will have no one to speak to, in the languages that our ancestors have viewed the world through for thousands of years.
With it being the UN international year of indigenous languages I would like to sing a song for you in Mi’kmaq that you all may know. My classmates, my teachers, and I, worked together to translate and record this song to help bring awareness to this important movement. I hope you like it.
MI'KMAQ HONOUR SONG // LYRICS with PHONETICS UNDERNEATH:
Kepmite’tmne’j ta’n teli-lnu’wulti’kw (Gebb me day dum uh nedge, dawn deli ulnoo wool deeg)
Nikma’jtut, ke mawita’nej (Niggum-odge dude, gay ma we dawn edge)
Kepmite’tmne’j ta’n wetapeksulti’kw (Geb me day dum uh nedge, dawn wedda beck sool teeg)
Nikma’jtut, ke apoqnmatultinej (Niggum-odge dude, gay a bonna ma dool dee nedge)
Apoqnmatultinej ta’n Kisu’lkw teli-ika’luksi’k (A bonna ma dool dee nedge, dawn ki-soolk deli ga look seeg)
Wula wsitqamu’k, hey ya hey yo (Oolah sit qamu, (hey ah hey oh)
- INTERTRIBAL CHANT SECTION - Way o hey hi ya ha, way o hey o hey hi ya, Way o hey hi ya ha, way o hey hi ya, Way o hey hi ya, Way o hey hi ya ha Way o hey hi ya hey oh!Hits Of The Blitz - 2015Allison Bernard Memorial High School2019-01-10 | Teacher / director - Ronnie Martin Filmed by George PaulMamma Mia - 2016Allison Bernard Memorial High School2019-01-10 | Teacher/director - Ronnie Martin Filmed by George PaulJoe B Marshall - ABMHS Eskasoni Role Model of the Year (2013)Allison Bernard Memorial High School2018-12-21 | Video by George Paul. Wela'lin, George!Helen Sylliboy - ABMHS Eskasoni Role Model of the Year (2016)Allison Bernard Memorial High School2018-12-21 | Video by George Paul. Wela'lin, 'PR' George!Ernest Johnson - ABMHS Eskasoni Role Model of the Year (2014)Allison Bernard Memorial High School2018-12-21 | Video by George Paul.Vincent Binchy Stevens - ABMHS Eskasoni Role Model of the Year (2018)Allison Bernard Memorial High School2018-12-21 | Video by George Paul. Wela'lin, George!Kloquej (Star) Ornaments - Mikmaq Splint CraftworkAllison Bernard Memorial High School2018-12-12 | Student's at Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia learn traditional Mi'kmaq splint weaving techniques to make kloquej (star) ornaments.Moccasin Making with Madonna JohnsonAllison Bernard Memorial High School2018-11-08 | ABMHS grads make moccasins with Eskasoni artisan, Madonna Johnson.Eskasoni First Nation | Comphrehensive Community PlanAllison Bernard Memorial High School2018-10-15 | ...Nitap Day, 2017 - Eco Art at Castle Bay BeachAllison Bernard Memorial High School2018-06-28 | Nitap Day (Friendship Day) is celebrated annually in Eskasoni Schools.Show Me Your Math, 2016Allison Bernard Memorial High School2018-06-28 | This video highlights ABMHS' Show Me Your Math project for 2016. The video was a joint project between the "Show Me Your Math" club, led by Math teacher, Dallas Sharpe, and this years Film and Video 12 class, taught by Carter Chiasson.Donald Morrisons Sweat LodgeAllison Bernard Memorial High School2018-06-28 | Rita Gould's Mi'kmaq Studies 11 class and Carter Chiasson's Film and Video 12 class visit Donald Morrison's Sweat Lodge in Eskasoni, Cape Breton.
Filmed in December, 2016.
Special thanks to Donald Morrison and Clarke Paul.Emma Stevens - My Unamaki (My Cape Breton)Allison Bernard Memorial High School2018-06-13 | "My Unama'ki" is a love song for the island of Cape Breton written by students and staff at Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni, Cape Breton (Unama'ki), Nova Scotia, Canada.
My Unama'ki features lead vocals by Emma Stevens (grade 9) with supporting vocals from Keyonah Marshall (grade 10) and Kylie Francis (grade 12). Spoken words by Darren Stevens.
"My Unama'ki" also features the fiddle tune "Constitutional Breakdown" by late Eskasoni fiddler and composer, Lee Cremo.
All sales of "My Unama'ki" go 100% to the benefit of arts programs at "Allison Bernard Memorial High School".
Songwriters: Carter Chiasson and Darren Stevens Music Production: Carter Chiasson and Jamie Foulds Audio Production: Jamie Foulds (Soundpark Studios) Video Production: Jason LeFrense/JLF Productions Project Lead/Music Teacher: Carter Chiasson
MY UNAMA'KI // LYRICS: Old ways live on in the land of the dawn In the hearts of the old and the young Where the sweet grass grows So wild and so free Wetapeksi’k Unama’ki (My roots are in Cape Breton)
There’s ice on Bras d’or from shore to shore A treasure I’ll say no more As the sun sinks low The moon lights the snow And the stars sing Unama’ki
Unama’ki ta’n telji welomu’k (Cape Breton, how beautiful it is) Mi’kmawey etli knaq (Where the Mi’kmaq culture and way of life is strong) Through the valleys and glens From the hills to the sea Wetapeksi’k Unama’ki (My roots are in Cape Breton)
We gather at night by sacred firelight One with the earth and the sky Grandfathers burn bright Brighter than light All across Unama’ki
Unama’ki ta’n telji welomu’k (Cape Breton, how beautiful it is) Mi’kmawey etli knaq (Where the Mi’kmaq culture and way of life is strong) Through the valleys and glens From the hills to the sea Wetapeksi’k Unama’ki (My roots are in Cape Breton)
Kisu’lk wela’lin ta’n teli ika’lin wula mini’ku (Creator, thank you for putting me on this island) Ijapju i’tes tet mita nkamlomun etli samkewe’k (Forever I’ll stay here because it’s where my heart feels at peace)
Kesite’tm ta’n L’nui (I love my native culture) Aqq ta’n wejikwenuksi wula tet miniku (And how I was raised on this island) I’japju e’tes tete’l mita kesatem (Forever I’ll stay here because I love it) Kesalkik skwijinu’k. Tahoe! (I love my people)
From sunrise to sunset and all through the night My hearts on the island of isles In the land of the dawn The heartbeat is strong The heartbeat of Unama’ki
Unama’ki ta’n telji welomu’k Mi’kmawey etli knaq Through the valleys and glens From the hills to the sea Wetapeksi’k Unama’ki This place is for you, this place is for me Wetapeksi’k my Unama’kiABMHS Basket Making, 2015Allison Bernard Memorial High School2018-03-07 | ...Shawl Making Project, 2015Allison Bernard Memorial High School2018-02-16 | ...Tree Planting at ABMHS - Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Nova ScotiaAllison Bernard Memorial High School2017-11-06 | Allison Bernard Memorial High School is a gracious recipient of Tree Canada's "Tree To Our Nature" grant, in commemoration of Canada 150. We used the grant to fund the planting and upkeep of Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Red Spruce, Eastern White Pine, and White Birch trees on our school campus. Here is a video depicting our efforts. Special thanks to Tree Canada, the Government of Canada, and CN, as well as to our students and staff.
Thank you / Merci / Wela'linOrange Shirt Day (Eskasoni, 2016)Allison Bernard Memorial High School2017-09-27 | Orange Shirt Day is celebrated annually in Canada in recognition of the more than 150,000 First Nations children who were taken from their homes to attend Indian Residential Schools over a span of more than 120 years beginning in 1876.
On Orange Shirt Day, First Nations, governments, schools and communities across Canada come together to foster a spirit of reconciliation, hope and prosperity between First Nations and non-First Nations Canadians.
This video was produced by the Film and Video 12 class at Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in the Fall of 2016.
Student involved in this project: Rick Stevens Isaac Jeddore Angelina Marshall Teanna Denny Naomi Francis
Carter Chiasson (teacher)
Special thanks to Tom Johnson for the aerial footage.Kalolin Johnson - We Shall Remain (It Wasnt Taken Away)Allison Bernard Memorial High School2017-04-25 | "We Shall Remain" is the second installment of the "ABMHS Song Project" from "Allison Bernard Memorial High School" in Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada.
"We Shall Remain" was written in tribute and honour of the elders and ancestors of all First Nations. The song echoes the voices of a strong and resilient people through times of innocence and harmony with the earth, through centuries of struggle, oppression and hardship and onwards into a time of rebirth and reconciliation through education and the empowerment of youth.
All sales of "We Shall Remain" go 100% to the benefit of arts programs at "Allison Bernard Memorial High School".
Songwriters: Carter Chiasson, Kalolin Johnson, Tom Johnson Music Production: Jamie Foulds and Carter Chiasson Video Production: Jason LeFrense/JLF Productions Project Lead/Music Teacher: Carter ChiassonKalolin Johnson - Gentle Warrior (featuring Devon Paul and Thunder Herney)Allison Bernard Memorial High School2016-01-13 | Gentle Warrior was written by students and staff at Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Canada in tribute to Mi'kmaq poet and Eskasoni native, Rita Joe. The track features lead vocals by Kalolin Johnson, the rap styling of Devon Paul and powwow chanting by Thunder Herney. Gentle Warrior was created with the support of the National Arts Centre of Canada.
All download sales of Gentle Warrior go to benefit arts programs in Eskasoni schools.
Songwriters: Carter Chiasson, Ron Martin, Devon Paul, Angelo Spinazzola Music Production: Carter Chiasson and Jamie Foulds Audio Production: Jamie Foulds Video Production: Jason LeFrense/JLF Productions Project Lead/Music Teacher: Carter Chiasson