Honor Song of the Mi'kmaq (Sing-along)

Quick Note: The "ħ" character is what I've come to use to represent the phlegm/guttural sound that the "q" makes in the Mi'kmaw language.
This drumming song, commonly called "The Honor Song", has become a very powerful song for the Mi'kmaq. Originally composed by Elder Katherine Sorbey, it was gifted to George Paul who then gifted it with Mi'kma'ki. In my personal experience, this song has been rather challenging to learn to sing properly.
Thanks to a language camp which I was blessed to take part in, I was able to identify correct spelling, pronunciation, and meaning for this important piece. Keep in mind that as with any language and any piece of music that dialect and artistic license can cause a great deal of variation. This video is not intended to be the rule, just a learning tool that I've put the effort into making as accurate and true as possible.
With that said, corrections and criticisms are welcome.
"This is a song that came to me while I was fasting for my people. The message in this song is for all people to work together and help each other the way our creator would want us to be as human beings here upon Mother Earth, and as children of our creator we must always have respect for each other. So join hands and honor the life you have with dignity because you are a part of the creators work. Show the world that love and forgiveness can bring about world peace."
~ George Paul

[@dudepool7530]

Sadly i was raised away from the tribe (it is a long sad story...). This is the first time i have heard my people's music. Never has my heart beat like this, nor tears flowed so warm. Never have i felt the longing to be home with such pain in my heart...

[@brendondymond724]

I know how you feel. In powwows, when this song is sung, no one can sit down. It is forbidden. It is our song, the people's song. If you study the language, this song is even more powerful.

[@shawnglasgow3603]

Welcome home.

[@rebeccamerritt3007]

Kesalul cousin, love you cousin!

[@dudepool7530]

@@rebeccamerritt3007 that's the first time anyone has said that to me in a looong time... I just realized that...

[@Thunder-qo1bc]

Do you have status? You still qualify even if you didn’t grow up on the Rez.I might be able to help you.

[@howardjeddore1139]

Proud to be Mikmaq. I sang this song at the 2023 Canadian Go Association Summer Camp in Jouvence Resort. First time that was ever done.

[@skylerjerome3910]

This song plays every morning at school : )

[@JoannaQmejia]

👍💞

[@angelmarie7325]

Native Pride and don't be afraid to show it

[@angelmarie7325]

Skyler Jerome that is so awesome that they play the Honour Song at your school✌️

[@aquaMar313]

Oh how beautiful

[@willbenoit5816]

Kaden?

[@anse1934]

I heard it on Anne of Green Gables. The instrumental version and I loved it, and I have been searching for the origin. Finally, I found it. It's just as beautiful.

[@VJAllison1974]

I love our people's music. This song is beautiful! I grew up away from the reservations, due to the elder generations moving a lot, and I was raised without any knowledge of our customs, language, music, heritage, or anything else. I am now trying to learn about our people as an adult, so I can teach it to my son. Wela'lin for posting this, and peace be with you and yours. :)

[@emiliepoirier6093]

my great grand mother is Mi'kmaq and she quit talking her native tongue to speak french to my grand mother i always wanted to learn Mi'kmaq, thank you for this song.

[@Serenity2b009]

My great grandmother is as well. She raised my mom and taught her some of the language but my mom has forgotten now :( I'd really like to learn because I only know a few words.

[@RBYW1234]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJO9ZYt9gKh1nJY

[@paulthebeau7061]

I am Mi'kmaq but born and raised in Massachusetts. I was working yesterday where I was taking two men with intellectual disabilities into the community. Before we left one of them said "I want to drive around and look at the leaves and my parents took me somewhere once where there was an Indian store with leather stuff... can we do that?" I was like, I don't know where there's an Indian store I can take you to but we can go for a drive. I was driving them around the area of Ashburnham MA, where we saw what looked like a yardsale so I let him get out and look around. It happened that an Indigenous couple makes and sells Native art and "leather things". We got to talking (as I was wearing my Mi'kma'ki Strong hoodie, and they told me that someone named George Paul came down once and taught them Mi'kmaq songs etc. I was like 😲😲😲😲😲 wow! The Honor Song guy!!!!!!" Later that day I was driving and an Eagle was circling above me for a little bit. An interesting and great day. Just wanted to share that. And ty for this being on KZbin. I don't live in Mi'kma'ki so this is one of the ways I connect. Ty.

[@janetjephcott8129]

That is amazing!!! To meet the singer of the song! And to learn that these people learned it is a huge honour to a special very healing song! I am Mi’kmaw but only learned on my own because my family didn’t know. Or care much. My dad actually hated indigenous people-and he was one! I get my blood from his line. But he has healed and is a good person now and shines!!! Me too! Much anger and sadness cleared and only love now. Well most of the time!!!

[@SuperWildCatboy]

Proud to be Mi'kmaw this song is song is one of the most powerfulest songs our Nation can have, brings a tear to my eyes wela'lin for posting this

[@rhymeofsilencegmail]

I have heard this song in many places, in different versions, and forms throughout my life. To "see"it finally so I can get the words correct, is a huge blessing.

[@patsybernard6284]

The man singing, fasted and this song was given to him. MLH&R for this man. Taho

[@big_sk4ian424]

There's four versions each for the wabanaki tribes i had to scrape KZbin to find each one was wondering why everyone online calling me mikmaq

[@big_sk4ian424]

@@patsybernard6284 this goes back to precolonial times 💀 when the wabanaki formed to protect from the mohawk or when the abanaki joined its not clear

[@MartaEzis]

I'm Czech and it's actually easier for me to pronounce correctly according to the Mi'kmaq orthography than the English transcription :-) the Mi'kmaq orthography is much closer to how Czech is written. So interesting, thanks for sharing! Greetings to Mi'kmaq people from Europe!

[@dj3us]

Same for other fellow Slavs as well.

[@user-oh7bf9zt5n]

That’s so cool! Thank you for appreciating our culture! -Mi’kmaq citizen

[@dragonlady102160]

@@dj3us proves that we all the tribes of the earth. We are all human!

[@wrinkleface6490]

That is extreamly fascinating..thanks for sharing

[@dudepool7530]

So, due to how painful it has been in my life, this comment has some dark personal irony for me. Im of the tribe, but my mother was illegally adopted, with a fake birth certificate that had me growing up thinking I was Czechoslovakian (it was done in april 1970. I did learn about the change though. I only said the full name, because i had no clue which side it could be from) my biological grandmother found us when i was 12, and the truth came out. Sadly, no happy ending for me. Still a kinda cool coincidence though.

[@bellahontas510]

This song means a lot to me, and finding the lyrics written phonetically AND correctly is so hard...Miigwetch!

[@goblinkillahd8396]

Deerwoman L'nu Trujillo ya jaah blessd u sister of th wosdom. N faith

[@anativeamerican3140]

You’re from Lsipuktok I guess

[@michaelowens3824]

It has always haunted my soul. My Grandmother North Sydney Scott was half Mi'kmaq,. Never told us in Ontario until her death bed. Something about a bounty and fear instilled. She was the glue and fire of our family. I miss Mildred Milly Scott (Rout) dearly. But my blood I am proud is of something greater I had no choice to be born into but I may be disconnected yet I am not far away from you. "Let us greatly respect our indigenous roots" I will always.. Thank you for sharing.. It fills a void for this dust in the wind gone west to Ontario...

[@Bomber411]

I'm here too and my heart yearns to be home.

[@spslap5771]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@sheilarobinson4423]

I love to hear indigenous people sing in their native language. Your music speaks to my heart. Thank you!

[@IndigenousGamer123]

Your welcome

[@sabertheglaceon256]

Your welcome too, I am one

[@nipawimahihkanmisitkakinoo4478]

This song will forever hold a special place in my heart. Having served with the Mi'kmaq in 2013, this was one of the many songs we sang to help us to remain strong during those tense days, and warm during those bitter cold nights.

[@dannygravel2938]

i can't help but to be emotional when i hear the Honor Song. I am so proud to be Mi'kmaq!!!

[@kayb533]

I have only recently discovered that I have Mi'kmaq blood and was adopted and moved to British Columbia before this was discovered. No status, so I don’t know what right I have if any, but hearing the music, it feels like home, I’ve never felt so much longing for something before in all my life. I want to know more, to embrace my indigenous blood, even if it doesn’t make up a large percentage of my genes. This music is beautiful, deep, and touches the very soul. Thank you ❤️

[@riversmith4195]

Thank you for this beautiful song that strengthens my heart and soul. Thank you to all Indigenous peoples who keep the wisdom of the Earth-ways alive. Thank you to the ancestors. Please help us walk this path in a good way for the benefit of generations to come. Much love.

[@LynneMarieSheppard]

Wela'lin Shane. For those of us away in body, but still with our people in spirit this is a blessing. I never hear it without thinking of my parents and ancestors and home.

[@joannrobinson6054]

Just lost my cousin Carol in New Brunswick-this song was sung at her funeral mass- I wish I knew they would have a singer sing this as I would've loved to honor her & sing along!!! Thank you so much!!

[@whitewolf9705]

+Joann Robinson Roughly a week ago I was invited to join the big drum and sing this song for a lady who passed in my community. Very powerful, not a dry eye to be found.

[@maryhanke8400]

My mothers family majority came out of the residential schools about 4 generations before mine. Both Penobscot and Mi’kmaq. I haven’t been raised close to the tribes but I’m glad I can find music to connect me back to my culture. So much is still lost but I’m grateful for what I can learn.

[@janpurdy9553]

Imagine if singing this beautiful song was part of the morning curriculum in all our schools for children. It would be such a wonderful start to their day, so cantering snd healing as well.

[@agenttimetraveler9960]

I am Canadian, I took an album/LP out of the library in 70's and listen to the music, and I was drawn to it. I am so glad you have brought it back (without a long walk to the library & and overdue fees) to my life. Thank You.

[@jennifer.rideout]

Grateful for the song. I grew up away from my family and native community. Nobody in my family speaks the language. I want to learn and keep the old traditions alive! It’s our responsibility to our ancestors. Wela’lin!

[@paulthebeau7061]

Born and raised in Massachusetts and it's hard to convey how impactful and important it is to have this.

[@Arianna-sl2hv]

Me too....

[@user-vg2up7ms4t]

I learned this song in treatment and it's what we sang everytime we drummed, i told the person that i loved this song and we sang it all the time, good healing song 😊

[@jamielynn8336]

Hello! My name is Jamie and I live in S FL. My roots are with Miq Maq from my dad. When he passed, I got in touch with my cousin to learn the ways of my ancestors. I sent her your video. And I think she says she knows you George. Her name is Askowat Lisa Taylor. Anyway shes impressed with how I honor my ancestors without ever being taught. I smudge, offer tobacco, and learn the story of our great ancestors. And always thanking ancestors for their sacrifice and making me the strong woman I am today. I also wanted to greatly thank you George, for this song. I listen every morning-signing along. I thank you for making a video that a white girl who only speaks English can understand and learn lol. When the drums hit, I feel it in my soul. I listen when I’m running and keep our people close. I just hope I can get up there one day and attend Pow Wow. Thank you again! ♥️👏

[@miguelvicens6298]

Thankyou so much from Mallorca-Spain. Tears of happiness feeling the medicine of this song and remembering we are family. For all my relations ❤️🔥❤️

[@LynneMarieSheppard]

Thank you for posting. This reminds me of the gift of seeing this sung to my Dad at a powwow by a group of my sisters in spirit in Flat Bay a few years ago. It is close to my heart.

[@j0ker893]

Flat bay Newfoundland?

[@LynneMarieSheppard]

@@j0ker893 Yes in NL. The only one near home for me.

[@1967kaybee]

Shane, you did a fantastic job putting this together, especially in the phonetics for English-language speakers to get as close to the correct sounds as possible. Wonderful.

[@jeanflab1]

Merci d'avoir partagé votre répertoire musical. C'est très dépaysant à écouter. Longue vie à votre peuple et votre culture!

[@Eueueyw]

Respect from England, it’s so great to see the Mi’kmaq and other indigenous cultures being revived

[@Eueueyw]

Seamus Doyle What do you mean by that?

[@PianistSk8er]

Greetings from a Maliseet cousin. This took me back to my childhood where I heard the honour song many times. Thanks for sharing!

[@jocelynnickerson6104]

Thank you Shane ... I have been practicing the Honor Song for some time and your visual offering makes it much easier to learn. It is much appreciated. We'lalin

[@rezmonkey1720]

I find it hard to listen to this because it has been played at every Funeral I've been to. And it only ever makes me think of the loved ones I've lost. I just get so sad every time

[@bigmama77ful]

Thank you for sharing... finding my Mi'kmag roots back over eight generations so far... love learning..

[@arnoldpaul3564]

Wah...wah... I play. This song b-4 i commence my duties of work..chores. Iam blessed. And i finish my chores with safety. .

[@ventea_1502]

My biological great grandmother (who is still alive) introduced me to my roots as a native since I was not raised in the tribe. My dad is Ainu and Unangax while on my mother's side we are Mi'kmaq. Hearing this makes me feel closer to my tribe and it makes me feel more at home.

[@heidimoon1655]

Proud to part Native American of this tribe and I pray to ALL of our Native American ancestors please help us heal the earth and the world at this difficult time. 🧡💜🤎❤️💚💙🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@NaturalGallantBodybuilding]

great work. Love the song.

[@sansgamingOFFICAL]

my school proudly honor this song (pun intended) and we play it every Remembrance Day, along with O Canada. I found Mi'kmaq and first nations as the most impressive thing I heard of, there resilience against the British back in the 1800s is impressive and shows how strong they truly are.

[@therezkid1931]

NISK, I had this stuck in my head for like 2 days straight loll finally listened to it fully

[@Dizzer187]

Really enjoyed this. Thank you for posting. Beautiful sound.

[@Fred-ch8wl]

Je suis peut-être d'origine abénaquis mais les chant mik'maks sont juste wow !!!!!

[@timpeters2955]

That was beautiful. I closed my eyes and felt peace within my soul. And I really needed it.

[@phoenixjipjij]

Thank you so much for giving me this to learn, I now can give thanks properly whenever I need it. You have no idea how much I appreciate this. Thank you. Thank you, thank you.

[@nmunro7143]

Thank you for creating this!! It is a great help to me as I discover my roots. The moment I heard this beautiful song I was determined to learn it.

[@GrammaWilli]

What a beautiful gift! Wela'lin George Paul, I am forever grateful.

[@fifithequeen3344]

who would dislike this this song is so beautiful

[@MKNdesigns]

I listen to this always, especially when my heart is sad, now that the creator gifted us a new child in our later years, I play this youtube for her, my little Hummingbird! Thank you so much, we are so very far from home!

[@matthewgarnier7701]

Thanks for posting Shane!

[@elizabethpeters6890]

Thank you for posting this. Heard it yesterday at the Wabanaki Spring Social and wished I knew it. Very powerful song.

[@pabloaraujo8605]

A beautiful and great job my brother, may the great spirit bless you as he blessed me through this sound. greetings from Brazil.

[@rogerburens6673]

I love this, thank you very much Shane. I always want to learn more about my Mi'kmaq ancestors.

[@staceylee5379]

This song was sung at my aunt's memorial service this weekend

[@wadejehai4585]

Blessings to the ancestors eternally

[@edrenajones5960]

I’m so glad to hear the languages of our First People. I learn so much and rejoice in their music! Keep it up!.

[@labeaulieu2465]

Memories of a day in the sunshine standing at the foot of the Blue Hills being taught this song and many others by the singers, who made me feel loved, accepted and honored. One of the best memories of my life. Thank you for blessing me with that joyful day in the sun never to be forgotten, I still see smiles and hear the laughter of us singing together. I also remember two elders died that day, one was taken off the top of the hills by helicopter. We stood together and sang for them as we said goodbye. It was one of the strongest feelings of connectedness I have ever had in my life.

[@thomasram9672]

Beautiful song, meaning and thank you for the phonetic transcription

[@robbiemoore7128]

im from PEI,, Canada and love this song .. watched a group from Lennox island sing this song on facebook live last night

[@davidbentley145]

A beautiful song and can feel much emotion within it...Be as you are...Always!

[@msscotian4209]

Love this song. Welalin

[@bezhigniizh4002]

miigwech. i first heard a lovely Knockwood lady sing this many many moons ago. Beautiful.

[@dindu_nuffins]

This is absolutely beautiful.

[@GPerihelion]

Wonderful. Thank you so much . There is much power in this song . ❤️

[@nikiijean]

Thank you so much for doing this. My 7yo daughter loves this and loves singing it.

[@lillienicolo]

I've always been told that the Indigenous in my blood was very little, but it was always so strong and full in my soul. I look Mi'kmaq and I'm proud to be.

[@tekfaves]

Thanks for writing the words and phonetics; i have been wanting to able to sing this song.

[@rcmpgurl]

Haven't heard this in such a long time I started crying while singing

[@gacha_kun5964]

I’m from Newfoundland and mi’kmaq and we have this as the first song every summer at our pow wow in flat bay

[@carmclair1154]

Ty so very much for this Micmac song and lyrics,always loved it when I heard it on the radio and enjoyed singing along,Wela Lin

[@whitewolf9705]

+Carm Clair Weliaq :)

[@fritzfromthewehrmacht5485]

My grandmother was a mi'kmaq and my great grandfather was labrador Inuit I'm 3 generations for both

[@Brianh79]

Thank you for the teaching of this song ...............................

[@Pakadeva]

So very beautiful...

[@Dizzer187]

I appreciate you posting this

[@sovannasylliboy190]

this song always comes on first thing in the morning at my school

[@JoannaQmejia]

👍💞

[@willbenoit5816]

St Anne’s?

[@natifff3415]

Thank you . Will you do more songs ? Kepmite'tmnej ta'n teli l'nuwulti'kw . On a road to learn more about my roots .

[@whitewolf9705]

Natifff I would love to do more songs. Unfortunately my knowledge of songs is severely limited, and I'm hesitant to put something together that could be wildly inaccurate. If you or anybody you know would be able to help in the endeavor I would gladly welcome it. ^_^

[@feliciazimmermanzimmerman8458]

Shane Snook Hello, My native name is Whitefeather, I live in south fallsburg, n.y. I am blackfeet, , my children are Blackfeet/ Cherokee, we enjoy all Common Intertribal songs,we are very well In all tribal drumming and singing traditional music, it would be of the highest honor to create anything that you may have the most interest In. we love to honor that. But. Please If you have any questions or answers. We are welcome to do that for You. You can reach me at: 1-845-423-3260 C 1-845-693-4347 H [e-mail] Thanks and many Blessings, , a-hoe

[@johnathanyoung100]

+Natifff i also would like to learn more about my native heritage, i mean i dont think i have a lot in me, but its part of the picture and ive been learning about all the other sides so i figure why not give it some study

[@natifff3415]

+Arnkæll I d'ont know where to start from . Family tree ? Adn ? Reeding ?

[@brendondymond724]

@@feliciazimmermanzimmerman8458 Kwe'! Ni'l teluisi Milita'sit Muinjij. ^^ My name is Curious-Little-Bear I consider it to be my true name.

[@kevwarriner5048]

I love this song God bless

[@sentry2020]

So beautiful. Wela'lin.

[@commieasbestos3269]

I'm not aboriginal myself but where I live currently is the unseating land of the mi'kmaq people and as well I'm descendant of the acadian people who owe so much to the mi'kmaq people so I'm starting to try to learn more about the mi'kmaq people's past and present. This was super interesting and I thank you for uploading it!

[@SurprisedPikacheesecake]

this means so much to me, thank you- wela'lin, friend.

[@croweddy]

Thanks for sharing

[@kimlabillois8632]

This is a great song drum and I love it

[@melaniebarrieau4873]

Wegwi wela'lin for this. much appreciated.

[@georginachambers3053]

Thank you so much for helping me learn this song. May take me awhile to know it from the inside out but now I have hope. (And won't have to fake it at demos. lol)

[@cynthiat5415]

My favorite really touches my heart!!

[@deansimon9501]

Good work nitap.

[@sylviaflores1959]

Beautiful ♥️

[@catsayco1312]

This is the first time I’ve heard about my people’s music I’m very proud I grew up far away from the tribe and have only recently heard of them and I’m learning as much as I can I wish my Great Grandmother was still around to teach me

[@RBYW1234]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJO9ZYt9gKh1nJY

[@sweetbutsassy1]

Thank you so much Shane!

[@Harfenspielerei]

great!

[@DanActarus49]

my family on the maternal side are metis mikmaq from new brunswick canada :)

[@jessicasassine9674]

I have to sing a song because I’m having a concert about this song whoever makes this is the best😊

[@caroline6085]

Weyla'lin love the lyrics to this I will learn this for sure!

[@keetahbrough]

I LOVE this song!! and singing it correctly because of the translations is the BEST!!!! hiy hiy ninaskomin!!!

[@brendondymond724]

Wela'lin Keetah Brough but you have to know, ghis song is more than just a song... ;)

[@dj-a3434]

Proud to be Mi'gmaq from Gespeg this song touch me very deeply.

[@denisedube4132]

Gives me goosebumps. ❤❤

[@joshuajessie1566]

Chahta sia hoke. I'm of a different tribe from Mizizibni, but I love all these OG songs. Love this one. 👊

[@angelasoucy3268]

Such a beautiful and powerful song! I am not in any way Native but I love to hear this and other Native American music.

[@sleepyjeannie501]

BLESSINGS to you all BROTHER'S and SISTER'S, thank you for sharing your music, my Grandmother was Ottawa and, I can't spell it, Pontawtatami, I know that is not right, but I'm loving this. I don't remember my Mother talking about her as a Native American, I don't know much about her as all. But I'm so in love with my people, I hope I'm not disrespectful saying my people, but it's the only BROTHER'S and SISTER'S I feel where I belong. I love to sing, and this is Awesome. I can learn how to say the words right and sing along too!! BLESSINGS and PRAYERS for you all 👋🏽Miigwetch 🌊🌊🐟🥁

[@maryconnolly5581]

This is great work thank you for the translation ✊

[@whitewolf9705]

You're very welcome! Of course most of the credit should go to the teachers and mentors who helped me learn the translation. I'm hoping some day to become fluent so I can make more videos and maybe even try my hand at songwriting. It's tough, though, not enough support available in NL.