Heather Dale: Huron Carol, in 4 languages (Huron, French, English, American Sign Language)

[@fouellet1701]

It is believed that this carol was written probably in 1642 by Jean de Brébeuf, a Jesuit missionary at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Ontario. Beautifully rendered by Heather! Thanks for this beautiful video.

[@Jc-ue2vh]

It is believed to be written during his voyage through lake Erie into the Detroit river. The Huron mission of Our lady of Assumption is located in Windsor Ontario. This id most likely the first church is was every sung in.

[@gunnarthorsen]

With the coming of Christianity, brought by the Jesuits, many Hurons had to choose between their new Christian faith and their traditional spiritual beliefs, family structures, and community ties. Kinship in their society had been matrilineal; all members of the tribe participated in tribal governance. Agriculture was part and parcel of the Huron way of life. All creatures and things were respected and were thought to possess a spirit. In addition to attempts to Christianize the Huron, attempts were also made to "Europeanize" them, and this had a direct affect on those elements that had for centuries held them together as a people. In 1639, a smallpox epidemic That was brought by Europeans reached the Huron tribes, and when it ended their population had been reduced to roughly 9000 people, half of what it had been before. Thanks to the European presence and the upheaval that it brought to Huron culture, rampant disease, economic dependency, and attacks by the Iroquois (who saw the Huron weaken) further reduced the Huron population and created rifts in its society. The causes of Huron decline also prompted many of the natives to convert to Catholicism. In the late 1640s, villages that had been left demoralized and leaderless often converted en masse, but the triumph of conversion was short-lived, for the Iroquois essentially wiped out the Huron nations in 1649. Factionalized politically, socially, culturally, and religiously, the Huron took a final blow to their cohesiveness through these violent attacks. Terrified at the prospect of further attacks, the survivors began to flee. By the end of March, fifteen Huron towns had been abandoned. Many Huron were absorbed by the Iroquois, while others were incorporated into neighboring tribes. One party of Huron people had escaped to Île St. Joseph, but with their food supplies destroyed, and they soon faced starvation. Those who left the island in search of game, risked encountering Iroquois raiders who hunted down the hunters with a ferocity that stunned Jesuit observers. A small group of Catholic Huron eventually followed the Jesuits back to Québec City. We feel joy and peace as we hear this beautiful Christmas carol, sung in the Huron language, and thank God for sending Christians to lead them out of "savageness", but should do so with mixed feelings. The Huron had a beautiful culture and way of life before Christianity came. Their westernized and Christian descendants no doubt felt good about their way of life as well, but sadness also fills the heart over what was lost.

[@brucekemp2578]

This video is quite well done. It does seem that since this Christmas Carol was meant for Huron People, that it should be heard in a Huron Language first. In this case the English version should not take precidence. Hopefully this can help people have some appreciation of the Huron Culture.

[@forexed8948]

It's always a miracle that these first nations languages can live among us today, they are too valuable, and the world is less for the death of them when they are lost.

[@peterswire6027]

The mix of languages and the message of hymn offer all healing and hope is the troubled world. Despite all of our differences, we are truly one.

[@georgiastay]

Huron is a beautiful language and at my school lots of kids were laughing at her when she had that piece of fabric and waving it around but its part of a culture and its beautiful and you did a amazing job of this video

[@DarkR0ze]

Kristol Abel That piece of fabric -- I think -- is supposed to represent The Holy Spirit moving or dancing

[@bzsmith4420]

The language is called "Wendat," not Huron. An easy mistake. Prior to European contact, the People were known as The Wendat. Later they were named Huron by the French, and their own name was re-spelled Wyandotte (sometimes Wyandot). This is one of the Algonquian languages, like many First Nations People of Canada and the U.S. I am a member of Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma. We are working with diligence to revive our language. Videos like this can be part of our reclamation of our language. We all are grateful for deepening understanding of the importance of reclaiming our traditions, which begin with our language.

[@shannonestes5058]

I know right are you a student?

[@peterswire6027]

Our cultural differences can make Canada stronger if we choose to let the Christmas story really sink in.

[@sophiaschier-hanson4163]

Joke is on those mean kids. Waving the fabric around rhythmically is a lovely choice to translate foreign language background chanting into ASL. Would love to see some LSQ too! :)

[@paleologue]

I just want to say, it is a beautiful song and you sing it better than anyone else on KZbin. Also, I want to say that your sign language translators are AWESOME! I know virtually nothing about sign language but when I turned the volume off and watched I could grasp some of the things they were saying because they are so expressive. And, just a small aside, I'm an educator in Texas and I have a ton of respect for you folks in Canada. Your national respect of aboriginal american cultures and traditions should be modeled her in the USA. Ironically, we have TEKS in Texas...they stand for Texas Essential Knoweldge and Skills. Sadly, there is almost no deference to native American traditions. But your Canadian TEKs (Traditional Ecological Knowledge) is to be admired. I wish we had the same sensitivities in the US.

[@Angel-rq3pi]

Canada's history re: their govt and IMMIGRANTS' treatment of First Nations people is as heinous and deplorable as the US.... Just saying

[@paleologue]

@@Angel-rq3pi Wherever Europeans have colonized the western hemisphere, indigenous people have suffered. No doubt. But Canada's interaction with indigenous peoples is not the same in degree as the US. The US has a far darker interaction with native peoples than Canada, that is certain. It's not apples and apples.

[@abinavon]

Beautiful version of the Huron Carol!

[@garthlow4852]

Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

[@johntabler349]

There's a beauty To the Huron language and I have deep respect and admiration for the mastery of the annunciation

[@hjcd1231]

Absolutely gorgeous! I maybe part Native American but I am a firm believer in my roots. I do celebrate Christmas and I am normally not a fan of traditional Christmas music but this is phenomenal! Thank you!

[@strange_imagination_]

I remember singing this in my grade 6 class for the Christmas choir, and still remember some of the lyrics despite only knowing French and english as my primary languages

[@lauraharding8182]

Wow! It has taken me years to find a version of this that does it justice. And here we are. Thank you! My favorite carol.

[@witneyskye5556]

The most beautiful and truthful rendition of this song. Your voice is so clear, so understandable, so easy to listen to. Beautiful, all around.

[@SuperApoet]

Wow, goosebumps. That is stunning

[@DimitryDonskoy777]

The best X-mas gift I ever got

[@seandegidon4672]

Wow, a beautiful song, an amazing history, and a luminous testament to the Faith! 😇✝📿

[@johnscott8390]

I've heard this song many times and this rendition becomes one of my favorites Thank-you for this version.

[@ralphlw]

I've recently discovered this carol, and I absolutely love this beautiful rendition. Merci bien!

[@wbworkout]

This was such a moving performance, thank you!

[@usedx115x]

Hey Heather, I first heard this song in elementary school when learning Canadian history and I always loved it. Its been in my youtube playlists for something like a decade now. Thanks for the beautiful rendition!

[@sandicampbell3252]

What a happy accidnent, that I came across this randomly on You Tube! Thank you for this beautiful rendition.

[@art4023]

where does people speak Huron?? I have never heard of it

[@tuqutey]

This is one of my favorites that you do Heather. But, watching the visual representation that you have put with it, it's inspiring and moving. Thank you for bringing the gift of your storyteller in ASL to all of us. I sure do miss you. Hopefully we will be able to meet up again in one of our countries. Happy Christmas!

[@birbluv9595]

What a beautiful song, and Heather’s voice is perfect. Love the sign language too!

[@janetkelly223]

what a beautiful song, voice, and presentation, how inspiring to listen to this. thank you

[@poges]

love the song just found when looking at the huron carol utube vids. thanks so much for a rich experience.

[@chriss3030]

I wish I could speak all those languages and sing as well as you can Heather, but I will the leave the singing and sign language to you, and your associates. Certainly adds more depth to the song, and reaches a group that normally wouldn't get to enjoy the song the traditional way. I like it, and I wish you and your friends/ associates much more success.

[@faziah1163]

MERCI ❤️ VERY BEAUTIFUL 💖 Merry Christmas 🎄

[@EricMartizen]

Beautiful.

[@OCCA]

Lovely lovely work. a favorite carol of mine for many years. Loved hearing it in Huron.

[@sophiaschier-hanson4163]

Heyyy you have my nameday saint! Merry belated or slightly early Christmas this New Year’s Eve! ☦️🤗💕

[@MissGaelSML]

I love this video and the translations you use. This is my favorite version of one of my favorite carols!

[@jdish7485]

so beautiful!!

[@kimberlyhornby9595]

Beautiful as always Heather. I especially love the multi-lingual aspect

[@JohnBobRoger]

We sang that song in public school....I am from Huronia.

[@tblairhug1]

made me cry....

[@abbyarmas3520]

Awesome wow so good

[@eskimo1956]

just wow! thank-you for this beautiful cultural totem reflecting the deep history of our great nation - and in so many communication forms!

[@percpianogal9402]

I am doing this as a final song at the winter concert this year.

[@cliffsandifer3877]

wonderfully done, sung. I hear in my musicians ear, didgeridoo and percussion,...guess what. i play both. love the use of French and Huron.

[@MayaZhao]

It is beautiful

[@soundsproofu.s9686]

What a beautiful voice

[@catmom1322]

Beautiful!

[@archivboy]

One of my favorites of yours, Heather. Thanks for making it part of your project.

[@ellieorozco5392]

really beautiful voice u got there😊👌😁. I also have to do that song for a christmas celebration in my school.

[@shannonkoeller8378]

Love this!

[@stevefahnestalk8500]

Heather, you are amazing! I love this!

[@klitoskyriakou1254]

Wow love. Your voice More please!! Either if i dont understand what they are staying 😀

[@CianMcCarthyMusic]

So cool, Heather!! I've just subscribed! Its vibe is like something that could have been used at the end of one of "The Hobbit'' films (thus making them better!!).

[@DarkR0ze]

thanks for the lyrics, it's very hard to sing for non-indigenous people to sing them with non-phonetic spelling

[@Mac_an_Mheiriceanaigh]

what do you mean? the spelling is completely phonetic.

[@fr.perrypetrichsj8851]

hi! i teach 9th grade theology at a Jesuit school, and one of my students just askedwhy you wanted to learn Huron originally. What got you into it?

[@katyharries2526]

Beautiful ❤

[@RenayEmond]

Wow😳even trying to subscribe to you was difficult What's going on? Hope these Boulders can be overcome by us Genuine people Sending Healing Vibes Big Love, Many Mercies and All of the Blessings ✌🏽🙏🏽❤

[@WarrenPostma]

Thank you. I have chills.

[@realism51]

been following you since before youtube, this is very interesting and nice. A unique moment out of the last 7 years I have been a fan and following. the sign langauge is an incredible inclusion

[@SteppingRaven56]

Thank you for a lovely video of this song in this winter season.

[@lauraopper2571]

This is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing it.

[@janeller1687]

Beautiful! We loved it!

[@shannonestes5058]

Beautiful god bless you all through this corona virus and have a merry Christmas! 2020

[@ApprenticePL]

Beautiful work! 💛

[@hollyolson8048]

💘 this version you both have lovely singing voices.

[@Anansii]

Wow. Thanks for this, it's gorgeous!

[@AedeusLeonora]

I love this song, and the sign language is really beautiful too!

[@HeatherDale]

Thank you :)

[@RediChalyn]

After two days of non stop listening and breaking down the lyrics, I learned how to sing along with you!! I love all your music and I'm gonna sing this at my family's Christmas get together when we all do "presentations" (it's like a talent show)!! How on earth do you not get tongue tied though??

[@HeatherDale]

Fantastic! It takes a lot of practice - I practice lyrics while I'm driving, while I'm cooking, while I'm watching TV (although that drives other people crazy!) Good luck with singing it :)

[@sohaahmadi2573]

@@HeatherDale It's absolutely gorgeous - definitely my favourite. I first heard of it after playing it with my as youth orchestra awhile back and my mom adores this as well. Now i can learn it vocally too!

[@PsychedelicChameleon]

Hi Heather, I've watched and listened to this from two different links now, you've done a beautiful job! What do you mean by "culturally deaf storyteller"? Do you mean a story tellers that are deaf and that each tell stories from a particular culture?

[@lysanamcmillan7972]

"Culturally Deaf" means the person is part of Deaf culture. As they have their own languages (sign languages like ASL are not merely re-delivered spoken languages but have their own origins and grammatical rules), the storytellers from that space are doing it from that linguistic and social perspective. There are deaf people who are not part of Deaf culture for various reasons (as a hearing person, I might be able to guess some of why but I'm far from an expert and will refrain).

[@PsychedelicChameleon]

Thank You!

[@jodiebug1]

Lysana McMillan Just to add there are hearing people who, though not deaf, are part of deaf culture for various reasons, such as having deaf parents. I’m guessing she said “culturally deaf” because some of the storytellers might have some hearing. That and what counts as “deaf” can get very contentious.

[@bethholmes1591]

It’s so beautifully presented! ❤ But these are NOT the words to The Huron Carol!!! And the “Transcipt” is all screwed up for the Huron lyrics.

[@christianali5431]

Praise be to Jesus Christ. Blessed is the calf who’s skin covers the nakedness of the world.

[@mikepictor]

I was wondering if you'd get LSQ interpretation for the French parts. :)

[@HeatherDale]

We talked about it, Mike! But we decided it had more impact this way - since the lyrics are saying (pretty much) the same thing in each language.

[@DarkR0ze]

dang! I was hoping that it would be in LSQ

[@juventutem]

Praised be Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, Saviour of the World!

[@Angel-rq3pi]

The song refers to "Mary Maid" bore Jesus... Maid meaning "not married".... Interesting.

[@CVogel-jq9jk]

lol

[@tyronrichardson1037]

Praise be to Christ the Messiah. Hearing chants and hymns in multiple languages show Jesus is Lord of all races and tribes, the Saviour of mankind

[@gabriellebiggar1771]

🌺🏹❤️💛🤍🖤 🥖🥞Bannock do knot burn!!! No offense but we do knot like bagels anymore! 👇

[@gabriellebiggar1771]

St Kateri Tekawitha

[@cataclem28]

As I understand just the french and English speaking are deaf...

[@jonathangeorge5599]

Excellent rendition, but unsure what waving a scarf around has to do with Jesus' birth and the Epiphany, much less St. Jean de Breibeuf's mission to the Huron.

[@joshandallo2170]

The scarf that Heather was waving around was meant to metaphorically represent the Holy Spirit.

[@jonathangeorge5599]

@@joshandallo2170 ...ok... Didn't come across. Just looks like yet another older white woman waving a scarf around and claiming it as spiritual expression. 🤷‍♂️ Then again, I've never understood the appeal of liturgical dance in the first place. Seems to me the song here, and the Mass, in general, are self sufficient to express the glory of God.

[@gabriellebiggar1771]

Meegwetch Aani Dansi Lily ⚜️ of The Mohawks ST. Bidh Cecilia, a 'bualadh air na claisean a-muigh air Latha na Nollaige ann an ainm Iosa 🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔 🔔🔔🔔‍♀ 🔔🔔🔔AMEN

[@danafawadleh3160]

Noel doesn't exist in the Bible, I'm so sorry this one is a blasphemy, Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2 (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:5-6). (Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15). read it all. I'm a Christian I'm not suppose to lie.