Emma Stevens - My Unama'ki (My Cape Breton)

"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
www.abmhseskaso...
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’ki

[@canuckyukyuk9164]

That was great! Thank you. I'm originally from Cape Breton. My family were Fiddlers and Step-dancers.

[@ThinkerThunker]

Really cool! I've never seen fancy dancing set to fiddle before.

[@tamara8908]

2021 in lockdown in Cali. I watched this. Last year my people had no ceremonies. I am older and feeling the loss of community. I watched this and it reminded me of all the beautiful indigenous people all over the world and it gave me comfort. Your people are beautiful. In my people's ways we have a word for the most gratitude. I say this to you. Wopila.

[@carterchiasson4172]

Wela'lin (thank you)

[@mikebeers3249]

You can do it for your people so we don't die

[@Migmaw]

Wela'lin Nokomaw Thank you my cousin, there are Lakota in Canada as well who take part in pow wows, Beautiful regalia and wonderful dancers. If you ever get the opportunity to get to a pow wow I highly recommend it. The spirits of our ancestors speak to our hearts through drum song and dance. Cali I believe has a few big pow wows each season ❤️🪶

[@MattHi-b6i]

Sweet grass I see it

[@heatherferdinand42]

Today is our first Truth and reconciliation day. This music was beautiful. Im so horrified and heartbroken over how indiginous people have been treated. I hope real healing , real truth and real change can happen.

[@bernardjerome3157]

Pn'nal Jerome, Mujgajewei ag wela'lieg awesome

[@michaellubinskyj6266]

Very lovely. The young lady has an awesome voice.

[@lorismith3834]

For those of us born and raised in Cape Breton this song captures the love we have for the Island. I love how the video represents the Mi' kmaq culture and picks up at the end giving a tribute to the Scottish musical tradition. This song reinforces how proud I am to be a Cape Bretoner.

[@grenalien]

Love from New Brunswick!!! Im from Campobello Island bt I live in Esgenoopetitj with my boyfriend. Canadians are canadians no matter what!!!

[@erikakulnys]

This is beautiful! Thank you ❤️❤️❤️

[@isue892002]

Emma is our treasure. Voice of Unama'ki.💖

[@sailsouthpacific]

She sure is! I haven't heard a voice this pure and beautiful in a long time!

[@AndyB1286]

I'm in favour of keeping old cultures and traditions alive, and this is a fine example of such work. Well done everyone! From the Mi'kmaq to Scottish Gaelic, let's keep life multifaceted and interesting :-)

[@pa-pa-man]

I wake up in the morning with this little song on my mind and I immediately feel good. My daughter moans: "Oh my god!" 'Cause I hum it every morning. Then she hums the melody and looks forward to the day with me. When Cov-19 is over I have decided to visit Unama'ki to get to know the beautiful country and the people who love it so much. Thanks for the song to the ABMHS and for your interpretation, Emma Stevens. Stay healthy! Greetings from the Lake Constance, Germany!

[@gisellestevens2562]

Thank you for your kind words. My sister is amazing and I’m sure you’d love Unama’ki❤️❤️

[@pa-pa-man]

@@gisellestevens2562 yes, I think so.

[@bethdulnuan9746]

INSPIRING...THANK YOU....♥️🎶🌹✟🌷🌺🌿🇨🇦🙏

[@MiissPaaul]

I love this song so much always hits my spirit's feelings

[@the-wao-channel]

Really excellent song! Congratualtions to Emma and the band, but also a big "well done" to Carter Chiasson and Darren Stevens! Just listened to it again and it's a 100% excellent production!

[@basilcomitis7126]

Yes I agree, she is the treasure, she has lovely voice and is a beautiful person. I love your culture.

[@darkogav]

Just heard this. Such a great track. Great music.!!!

[@gillianbarth4536]

Thank you for helping to re-establish the true roots and amazing original culture of our wonderful land called Canada.

[@pierceallen5925]

Blown away. I think I learned my first Mi'kmaw word from this. Love the blending of styles to help express the sense of home. I'm going to say it again: Emma is a national treasure! Also there must be something amazing going on at Allison Bernard Memorial High School to bring out the best in people. Good jobs everyone involved!

[@colleendicks8992]

The fiddle number at the end was written by the late, Lee Cremo. How fitting that the title is "Constitution Breakdown "

[@noranason6521]

Beautiful. Just absolutely beautiful.

[@mother123ss]

Paul McCartney's shout out for Emma Stevens at a concert led me here. I am prouder to be from Nova Scotia after hearing this beautiful song that touched my heart. I sent NFB an email trying to give the High School and song the credit it deserves with a link to this video. I also emailed CBC to try and get them to do a feel good piece on the High School and song and I referenced the news article they did about Paul McCartney's shout out for Emma Stevens for the song Blackbird.

[@taylapaul1064]

I am a former student at the Allison Bernard Memorial High School, on behalf of our school I would like to thank you for your support. Wela’lin (thank you) 😊😊

[@mother123ss]

@@taylapaul1064 weliaq

[@vincemacdonald8184]

Vince and Anne agree that this is beautiful music and accompaniment.Love Cape Breton!!!

[@monkeyciara]

Originally from the maritimes, this song brings me back home. I listen to this almost daily, singing it to my son as a lullaby. As soon as he hears Emma's voice he calms down! Great job and keep on making awesome music!

[@Michelle-u9s]

Still best music video on the internet bar none!

[@roseabraham6127]

Was introduced to this young lady's voice through the 'Blackbird' interpretation. Only a few are dipped in gold and such natural beauty! The concept for this video is beauty and intelligence so cleverly interconnected tears fall in wonderment. I agree with the suggestion for the N.F.B. to give credit where credit is due. We all need more beauty in our lives...Unama'ki!

[@allisGood987]

Rose Abraham that was a perfect phrase to describe this young lady and her talent. ‘Dipped in gold’. You don’t hear music like this anymore. Music that touches you and teaches you. It was mesmerizingly beautiful!! This girl and her band should go viral!!

[@jimmie7049]

Great comments! In 100% agreement. Thanks

[@stephenbray9816]

Cape Breton is a haven for all of gods people

[@lisaharrison5397]

Love her . The music keeps me grounded., I cried when I first heard it. All my life it’s been about culture. Earth... Animals. Preserving our heritage.. my land I have lived on and owned for 26 yrs is on Seminole Land in Florida. As soon as we moved here I named it. “land of spirits” ✨✌️💜

[@particles1101]

Same here Blackbird brought me here too.

[@mariaantona6216]

Your language, your country Your culture All the best from your friends in Germany

[@laynewhite1346]

Such a beautiful song and video of the culture of the Mi'kmaq. I can't say enough great things about this and how it made my wife and I feel when we listened and watched the video. Such beautiful lyrics !!!

[@bartlett454]

Wow! Incredible! They are doing excellent work down at Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni, Unama'ki. Keep funding the arts in schools everywhere!

[@carmelwhittle9267]

This song is so beautiful as a NL and Labrador Mi’kmaw I was brought to tears Wela’lin for such a beautiful song

[@almaclean9820]

A Great Song and Great Singers, Love This!!!!!

[@victorchance1510]

Loved it Emma and Band . 👍💓🌄☮️🇨🇦

[@almaclean9820]

A Beautiful Song and A Great Voice, Enjoy, Love It!!!!

[@SEYMOURTUCHAS]

Emma stevens has a beautiful voice.

[@marcelwilliamson7384]

Oh my God how can I give this two thumbs up

[@lonnierowell3334]

Thank you to the students, staff and families of Allison Bernard Memorial High School! Outstanding work and a fine contribution at the intersection of art, history, and culture. Well done!

[@doctorbandoli]

OMG!!! This beautiful young lady can sing!!!...And it brings tears to the ageing eyes of this old Irishman to hear both this song and Blackbird sung with such purity! Might I suggest that she embark on a real singing career using Social Media as her primary platform as a realistic way to spread the greatness and struggles of the Mi'kmaq peoples and culture. Godspeed! Dr. Bandoli (Jim Ince)

[@deniseimmakeingacommentden9167]

Do you even know what OMG means

[@MattHi-b6i]

Mik’maq is my cuit😊

[@mikeross3418]

This song defines Cape Breton/Unama’ki music!!!!!

[@almaclean9820]

A Beautiful Voice and A Great Song, Love It!!

[@ethorne1]

Oh my nerves...I found this song on FB just yesterday(June 22/2020) and I think I've listened to it a hundred times already. This is GREAT...the song, the story, the voice (s), the video, the colors, the scenery, the band, the elders, the children...a full package! This school should be VERY proud...Well done!!!!!! I wish I knew what the man (3:52) was saying in the song.

[@lynnhussey6597]

What a GREAT video!!! Loved the music the people & especially the children! .The dancing/music at the end was a bonus!!

[@erichunter2262]

Instant classic! This beautiful song has everything! So well done by all!

[@mightymissk]

I'm in tears here. My Mom is from Cape Breton. The place has a hold on her still. This beautiful song gives me an idea why. Bravo Emma Stevens and your wonderful band and back up singers!

[@carstenfrancis4666]

kwe

[@chandyblair5859]

I hope someone from the school group reads this. I have been listening to your music for a little while and I was very proud to know the good work that my tribe was doing to keep the History and culture going. So I shared it with my husband's tribe. It went viral it spread like wild fire. People not Not in our tribe were sharing your beautiful voices. I want to share that with you your voices your words your stories are spreading they are down here in United States now Wela'lioq! I have even heard it on the radio now! Well done!

[@nosmada3]

'Blackbird' brought me here... loving it from Ireland too!

[@mizutsunethewaterdancer2155]

I'M TOHONO O'OTHOM FROM SOUTHWESTERN ARIZONA, I HEARD YOUR SONG SO ENCOURAGING, BEAUTY AND GRACE YOU'VE GOT A BEAUTIFUL VOICE, I CONNECTED WITH IT, MAKE MORE, MAY THE GREAT SPIRIT BE WITH YOU.

[@IndigenousRights]

@@nosmada3 Same for me: 'Blackbird' and then here, "Unama'ki"! Can't stop to listen to Emma and her songs, again and again... Stefano Keller, from Switzerland (working for the linguistic and cultural human rights of the Indigenous Peoples).

[@peter768]

As a proud Maritimer, this brought me to tears. Love it.

[@lorencarle6285]

Peter Kennedy Me too! 🕯❤️😂

[@lexdunn4160]

What a beautiful song and performance. Well done, all.

[@gerryst-aubin5877]

Just heard Emma's rendition of Blackbird and was directed here by KZbin. Emma, your singing is awesome. What a wonderful culture you are celebrating with your music. This whole group of people made a beautiful and inspiring video that I hope gets shared far and wide.

[@NarwhalJohnson]

This is so beautiful, I am just crying!

[@jossdionne9810]

Wabanaki, Land of the dawn.. Yes rising again!

[@jossdionne9810]

See you at "Innu nikamu" festival in Malioteman mak Washat, 7-iles QC.

[@DangerousMind197]

emma is so good at singing!give this a like if u think so too!!

[@metazz]

This is amazing. Excellent!

[@judyeberspaecher9833]

So beautiful in every way - the lyrics, the meaning, the melody and Emma's wonderful voice. Thank you.

[@lindadenny1267]

I am very proud of how Our Eskasoni is growing and embracing our culture and land!!!

[@colleenmacculloch3990]

What a heartwarming video. Amazing talent all around. Such a beautiful voice. Thank you all for sharing this.

[@dr.robert7897]

Just breaktaking. I hope this will be seen by many more people. Indigenous people in Canada have for far too long been discriminated against and this shows both the beauty of their culture and the strength and intelligence that their elders and youth have to offer all Canadians. The terrible crimes committed during the residential school and sixties scoop periods continue to cause damage today and properly funded cultural programs in their communities nation wide would be one way to begin to address this tragic history.

[@laurafedora5385]

She’s such a talented young lady

[@shanefistell8890]

Emma Stevens has a great talent!!

[@bitsyindiga]

Beautiful voice-Beautiful song -Beautiful music & surroundings.

[@milwsdl39]

Awesome thank you for sharing 👍👍👍👍

[@brianallen2358]

NFB should put this on t.v., even if they didn't produce it. This is one of the best musical videos I have ever seen, right up there with Logdriver's Waltz.

[@mother123ss]

I did send NFB an email trying to give the High School and song the credit it deserves with a link to this video. I also emailed CBC to try and get them to do a feel good piece on the High School and song and I referenced the news article they did about Paul McCartney's shout out for Emma Stevens for the song Blackbird.

[@teresajulian9571]

My sister put this song on and i haven't been able to stop listening to since! Beautiful song

[@elizarobinrobinson4294]

Beautiful, just touchingly heart rendering, lovely. 👍

[@paulinesena7173]

OMG! She's amazing! We need a Native to represent and she's IT! Keep singing! We love that her Native language is central. Gunalcheesh from Alaska! We love you!

[@EzraNiesen]

Beautiful! I don't speak enough languages to understand all the words, but I love the way you blend languages and musical styles together. I'm from a little further down the coast, on the US side. I loved the setting and background too. A group of people gathered in a place they love, singing songs about who they are and where they're from transcends all languages.

[@Ontario-PADDLER-1-Dave-M]

Thank you. Not enough words to say it.

[@lorneskuba7691]

I am at a loss for words. WOW, I thoroughly enjoyed this video. You have no idea how much joy, pleasure and enjoyment watching this video has brought me. Some welcome sunshine in my dark life. I cannot find the words to convey to everyone who was involved in the making of this video my appreciation for your efforts. Therefore I will simply say thank you from the bottom of my heart. If I had to rate this video on a scale from 1 to 10, it would get a very easy 10+ from me. Take care everyone and I wish you all the best of everything.

[@sueberry5550]

Love it xxx

[@sherimarsh3566]

To the staff and students of Allison Bernard Memorial High School I send you congratulations on writing such a beautiful song. Emma I am so proud of you. I know Mrs Rosta is watching over you and smiling from ear to ear. Keep up the great work.

[@Emma_Stevens99]

Thank you so much, reading this made me so happy, I miss her so much and I know she’s watching over me❤️

[@robertlongwill8856]

Emma Stevens I am a white Canadian. This song is absolutely stunning I love mi'kmaq language. Your voice is incredibly beautiful. All of the musicians are phenomenal.

[@Michelle-u9s]

This song and video are perfect - completely mesmerizing! Bravo all!

[@petibrun5]

C’est spectaculaire de l’entendre. C’est tout en son honneur et aussi de voir ce peuple de prendre sa place. Merci beaucoup à vous tous et surtout à cette fille de voir cette interprétation de haut niveau. Merci encore.

[@71sed8edmc19]

Even 1 dislike makes no sense? Must be a miserable person to dislike this beautiful voice WOW....

[@ochsblogger]

Jealous teenage high school kids who hate to see their peers get recognition.

[@ellamae771]

Now 16

[@ralphbmacdonald1712]

@@ellamae771 Mainlanders from away. :)

[@crhu319]

Official Conservative Party account?

[@sed8edmc520]

@@crhu319 Duh what???

[@nenaericksonoakes4502]

This is beautiful. The song, the voice, the sentiment. Incredible

[@robertasherbraner4337]

A beautiful song. The "Constitution Breakdown" reel with its unique flat foot dance, at the end is an uplifting multicultural touch.

[@lorencarle6285]

Robert Asherbraner. The beauty of this is that I didn’t get the feeling that including the reel was self-consciously multicultural. It struck me that that music that I’m used to thinking of as Scottish clearly belongs just as much to these people as the overall Nashville feel of the song, or the Mi’qmaq welcome and honour songs. Our cultures and families are all mixed up, and that’s beautiful. Thank you for identifying the tune. So appropriate!

[@robertasherbraner4337]

​@@lorencarle6285 At the risk of cultural misappropriation, allow me to say IMO the Mi’qmaq song, or that style did seem multicultural. But, at the end, when the multicultural reel dance closed the song, i could not help but think of the late John Hartford and his song lyrics: The Boys of NC (Flatt and Scruggs.) KZbin (w/ lyrics) link here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX-pmJSCi9Z6fqc

[@LakhnBer]

@@lorencarle6285 Hurrah for you, and for this bunch of artists from Eskasoni!

[@lorencarle6285]

Robert Asherbraner Of course it IS multicultural, I agree! Thanks for sharing Boys from NC. Well said! What I’m trying to say is that I don’t think it was on purpose. It just naturally is, because first nations people from lots of places are also mixed up with Scottish, French, Irish, English, African, etc. Cultural and racial purity is a white-people thing, deliberately constructed to facilitate ending native title to their lands, because you can’t commercialise and profit from, or restrict voting rights to, collective land ownership. And after 1810 in the US, when slave import was banned, it was also about making sure the supply of slaves was uninterrupted. Just look at the rules about who can & can’t be legally “Indian” across N. America for all the evidence anyone needs of this. Taken to other extremes, we’ve seen birth defects arise among ruling families like the Habsburgs for lack of genetic variety. So grateful for this video!

[@colleendicks8992]

The tune at the end was written by Mi'qmaq fiddler, the late Lee Cremo, a member of their community.

[@turanski123]

Cape Breton is the home of my heart. Even though I belong to the population introduced by colonizers, and even though those colonizer influences show up in the Scottish and French words and music of this song, I am so grateful to the M'ikmaq /Wabinan'aki People of the Dawn for sharing your world and culture with me. This is a wonderful song. Wela'lin!

[@lauramccartney4230]

Beautiful thanks for sharing

[@dpcnreactions7062]

Love this song!

[@nunyabusiness7260]

nice job little one keep on!

[@colleendicks8992]

I live in Cape Breton and I've been listening to this for a while now. I've never heard such a beautiful song. Thank you for the translation, those are beautiful lyrics. The kids in the video are so adorable and watching the elders teaching the young adults about their traditions is so heartwarming. My best friend's cousin is married to Alwyn, I love watching him dance. This video is such a work of art.

[@rochimento4692]

Seriously gorgeous voice

[@nidalkhalili]

I heard you today on the show "As it happen" tears of joy and amazement of how proud you are of you heritage Long live the first nations they tried to eliminate your peoples voice, your spirit your voice your beautiful first nation will echo in the universe for eternity < Thank you for standing up for what you believe in

[@carolynborden7257]

Beautiful!!! Beautiful voice!!

[@emma-leighcampbell9115]

I always love listening to this Emma stevens has such a beautiful voice

[@kathleenhannan]

So very beautiful on so many levels...the community that went into creating this, the talent of Emma and the other musicians, and the love of home that comes through so clearly. One thing missing in the credits is the wonderful fiddler's name, and the names of the other musicians. Could someone post their names please?

[@ochsblogger]

Wow! Blown away. I predict big things and great future for Emma Stevens in the music scene. Another Shania Twain in the making?

[@mariexlb4577]

what a unique beautiful voice

[@corneliusvandenheuvel5173]

Well pleased !!!

[@roseabraham6127]

Thank you for your positive feedback regarding my comments and observations...still listening and still incredibly moved by this unique voice and music.

[@edhowe6443]

A very beautiful voice. Thank you.

[@worldleeseven1508]

This is great music!Seriously talented young singer with a great musicians and backup singers behind her!

[@davidjaybedford2049]

Beautiful piece of music. Great lyrics. And Emma has such a beautiful voice. I will be playing this Saturday night on the Kitchen Party on New Country 1035 ... JB

[@jodydeagle5881]

She's awesome

[@petibrun5]

Super interprétation. Merci pour cette très belle voix. Bravo et continue. C’est trop beau.

[@cyrilchisholm1917]

What a talented young girl... you make everyone so happy to listen to this song. Beautiful

[@cyrilchisholm1917]

This comment is made by Lynn Chisholm

[@danblackwell62]

Incredible song. Such a beautiful melody and message. I agree @BrianAllen the National Film Board should use this.

[@jennifercottrellthompson1715]

I feel so drawn to this. What amazing lyrics and beautiful voices. I am in New Zealand but of Cajun decent and told Mi'kmaq is in our lineage. Sorry if I misspelled that. I have no knowledge or information about it. I landed on this page from listening to the Blackbird song you performed. I just wanted you to know how far your voice and song has traveled and say thank you for sharing it.

[@robertasherbraner4337]

"This is the forest primeval," wrote Longfellow - "Evangeline."

[@jennymauger]

Ditto I'm Aotearoa / NZ connecting thru the reverberations of spirit, minerals, trees, water, air, sound, dance ... can really relate ... arohanui / much love

[@edmondmcdonald6750]

Emma Stevens/talented friends,WOW..beautiful..

[@gregkral4467]

Well done, folks, such a great song. Beautiful folk. Someday, I hope to drive and visit, so much here that I cannot die without experiencing. But for today, thank you so much for the gift of music.

[@Michelle-u9s]

This is such a lovely song and video! Thank You :)

[@BG-sz4rb]

This song and video make my heart sing!! This is my all time favorite song. I cannot understand the language, but it does not matter. Just beautiful! I love the multigenerational band and audience. I am from Montana. I do not know where you are from, but I would love to come visit.

[@gisellestevens2562]

We are from Eskasoni First Nation, in Nova Scotia.

[@lorettarussell7758]

I was born there love this song