I'm a teacher in Surrey, BC, and I have a Mi'kmaq student in my class this year who was moved to tears by hearing her traditional language for the first time. Your video has launched her journey of self-discovery. You're having an impact all the way across the country. Thank you.
You are a true educator, one who takes pleasure in 'drawing out' from within your students. I live in the United States, and we have so few educators, now. We do have 'teachers', but that's not the same thing.
I am reading this through tears, I feel somewhat distance by the fact I am Metis in lineage however my heart is heavy seeing this young couple, hearing this beutiful rendition and reading the supportive comments.
May I suggest a few resources then. Dr. Ruth Holmes Whitehead is pretty much the leader in the field of Mi`kmaq history and traditions. She has many books. Including; ``Tracking Dr. Lonecloud `` Dr Daniel Paul is VERY educated in Mi`kmaq history - POST Eropean invasion. He has his own website. www.danielnpaul.com/ My own art based upon Mi`kmaq history and legends - ua-cam.com/channels/bLNVv81zZx1YcWf4_UWVnQ.html?view_as=subscriber The Mi`kmaq Heritage Center in Truro Nova Scotia. Those folks have all sorts of information and really nice about sharing it. Wanda Whitebird TRUE spiritual medicine woman (REAL DEAL) - facebook.com/theOHTN/posts/wanda-whitebird-a-member-of-the-bear-clan-and-the-mikmaq-nation-from-afton-nova-/10151994014785673/ If you would like more info, click my art channel and leave me a message. I carried a pipe for years and kept sacred fire at sweat lodges as well as a traditional dancer. ;)
@@firehawkstudios568 Thank you! I ordered a couple of picture books from Strong Nations (my students are in grade 2), but I will definitely check out and share these! Thank you so, so much.
I'm here because, prior to singing Blackbird, Paul McCartney gave a shoutout to Emma, and her sublime cover, at his Vancouver concert last night.Glad he did, as this is stunning. Beautiful voice and guitar. Indigenous languages and culture must be kept alive and things like this keep them current, relatable and compelling. Well done!
I've been living in Canada my whole life and it stuns me how little I know about First Nation's languages. I really liked hearing this beautiful language in this beautiful song with your beautiful voice!
Well, in many, many regions of Canada, the First Nations have their traditional meetings (the Pow-Wows), and everybody is welcome. You'll get to listen to music, see their dances (yes, there is a contest), eat some traditionaly cooked fish or meat, kids can have fun and listen to stories... here is the link to the Canadian pow-wows. www.crazycrow.com/site/canada-powwows/
I am so proud of whats happening at our school. I've been a guidance counselor here for two decades, I've seen many talent come and go. But ever since our music program was placed upon, the result is huge. Like a seed planted, I totally believe that this seed is now becoming something beautiful. Like a gardener, Carter our music teacher has been working hard to make sure the beauty is seen and heard by others. There are several projects that Carter has already done in recent years to prove that. The Mi'kmaw language is totally unique and its widely spoken here in Unama'ki (Cape Breton NS, Canada). The beauty of this language is now shared through song all over this globe by social media. The singer, Emma is totally awesome!! The United Nations marks this year as the Year of the Indigenous Language. What a great way to set the tone with this awesome video! Great job ABMHS students!!!
Keep up the great work Darren! Wish i were an Indiginous person culturally speaking. I have much respect for your culture but also much shame for how Europeans have mistreated First Nation People.
Born and raised in Acadia, with many of my female Ancestors being Mi'kmaq, this moved me to tears. I don't hear Mi'kmaw spoken here in Ontario so this song (as well as the others this incredible school has shared) has become not only some of my and my children's favourites but a feeling of home. Emma's voice is beautiful. It brings a great sense of hope and community as well as home to those of us who no longer live in the place we were born. Wela'lin.
As woman from the Pueblo’s of Acoma and Laguna (NM) and a former Miss Indian World, I would like to commend the youth for bringing awareness to language revitalization and how endangered our Indigenous languages are becoming. Blackbird is one of my most favorite songs and now I have a new favorite version of the original! ❤️
Let me recommend to you a little book (actually a series of essays) by Minae Mizumura entitled, "The Fall of Language in the Age of English". She laments the destruction of Japanese language, but her points concerning the general loss to the world when any language disappears you would find interesting. All cultures and languages have a lesson to teach, and perhaps faults to avoid. However, if a language or an ethic disappears entirely, than those lessons are gone, forever, and our species comes one step closer to extinction. You, Shayai, are more important than 'historians' in some college, somewhere. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure that the 'original' of this beautiful song was in English, and it was a thinly disguised reference to the position of Blacks in the United States [hint: the final 'into the heart of the cold dark night' was a descending 'blues' scale]. But, the sentiment, the understanding of a repressed culture yearning for autonomy, or at least respect, resounds with so many. Let me (a White American of German ancestry of a family that probably only got to this continent in the middle 19th century) commend YOU for trying to preserve that tiny bit of expertise that may, someday, allow 'humanity' a boost.
@@icaruscrane8846 You should feel comfortable saying "sure" rather than "pretty sure". Sir Paul said this very thing on tour in 2017, that this was written for/due to the black struggle during the Civil Rights struggle in the 60's. :)
@@kellyvaille554 ... The word america goes way back beyond both Canada and USA. I found this: The name America was coined by Martin Waldseemüller from Americus Vespucius, the Latinized version of the name of Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512), the Italian explorer who mapped South America's east coast and the Caribbean Sea in the early 16th century. ... The adjective American subsequently denoted the New World.
@@kellyvaille554 The tribes lived without borders as we now know them. Native American is an acceptable term to differentiate as Canada is part of the Americas by being part of North America. Congrats Emma! Right on Sir Paul for the shout out!
Me too.Feels like a silk hammer is pounding in my heart .Greetings from São Paulo. Post Scriptum: Take a look at this...maybe you'll like... ua-cam.com/video/gmcjuZRGOfM/v-deo.html
hi, so sorry to bother but i recently posted a guitar cover of "blackbird" by "the beatles" on my youtube channel and i'd love if someone would check it out. thank you! 🥺💜
Thank you, both Emma and Carter. As a Scotswoman , singer and lover of the songs of the land of my ancestry your heartfelt rendition in Mi’kmaq brought to mind all the Gaelic songs I learned as a child and in fact, brought me to tears. I hope we hear lots from you Emma. Keep singing and stirring our hearts. Slainte!
I work in a recording studio as an engineer and producer. This is one of the most beautiful, pure voices I have ever heard. Having worked in the past with elders on programs to sustain and restore traditional languages, I know that the real challenge is finding contemporary contexts for the continued use of these languages. For that reason, as well, you must be thanked and praised for recording this. Beautiful and very moving, Haych'qa siem (thank you worthy ones, in Coast Salish.)
syalutsa ::: British Columbia has many close relationships to the east coast in music and heritage. It’d be great to unite Canada with the language of blessings, healing and peace. The excellent musician is able to accompany without overpowering her gentle voice, my tears flow with gratitude! I would love for the school’s music department to use the universally magnetic and harmonious 432Hz. tuning, the original tuning, before the 1940’s when the N@zis changed it to 440Hz., the worst, nauseatingly flat, disharmonic tuning that causes many of us sickness and violence.
Can you say"Blackbird" challenge!!! There must be hundreds of dialects of indigenous peoples language not to mention around the world. It could be huge!
hi, so sorry to bother but i recently posted a guitar cover of "blackbird" by "the beatles" on my youtube channel and i'd love if someone would check it out. thank you! 🥺💜
I'm mi'kmaq and haven't been able to learn my own language but know how beautiful are language is and I'm so grateful that you've been able to share this and share are beautiful culture and language much love from BC Canada and my family in Nova Scotia
I just found out today that my dad passed away. This song was something I shared with him some years ago and he really enjoyed hearing. I came back to listen again and think of him...
The Beatles don't need de-colonizing - introduced what we now call 'World Music' (sitar on 'Norwegian Wood'; brief raag structure in 'Love You To', and 'Within You Without You' - quasi Hindustani Classical Music; 'The Inner Light', more than quasi-Carnatic music; mento/reggae via 'Ob-La-Di-Ob-La-Da'), and were polymaths of combining and introducing musical many musical styles from Heavy Metal to Music Hall.
Such a simple rendition but these two young people have caught the pure beauty of this song in subtle excellent nuance! This is so exciting! Yes, I am saddened by how little most Canadian settlers like me know about the First Nation peoples of Canada, and especially sad about our history of ongoing colonialism simply because we are insecure and afraid. We have all lost so much because of our fear of ‘otherness’. I sure hope Canada is turning a corner and continues to mend the brokenness we have caused! That is why this excellent and professional rendition of Black bird by Emma Stevens and her gifted guitarist is also so heartrending. My ongoing prayer is that we finally learn that although people of the world have many differences, we have so much more in common. We are all human, we all know pain, we all know love. We must not fear what we don’t know. We only hurt ourselves when we put others down and push them away. Emma and friends and many young people like them around the world are a light to all of us and give us hope that we can make our world a much better place, day after day, week after week, until we all live in harmony with each other and the earth.
Just beautiful...a natural, unassuming talent...nice. Really nice guitar work as well. The language sounds beautiful...great phrasing in the adaptation.
Emma that was beautiful and touched my heart, particularly because Sir Paul wrote that song to honor an African American woman during the Civil Rights struggle in the 1960s in the US. And to hear it sung in your language. I am part Native Hawaiian, my grandfather was manaleo, a native speaker. We almost saw our peopleʻs language disappear - to loose your language is like loosing part of your soul. Thank you for showing all of us that our languages are not relics of the past but living, vital, creative forces in our lives = like our breath or our blood, we cannot live without it. Continue on, I hope to see and hear more from you. I leave you with the personal mottos of two Hawaiian Queens, Kapiʻolani and Liliʻuokalani, our last ruler before we lost our independence to the US. I hope they give you strength - Kūlia i ka nuʻu - strive to obtain the highest ( never let any goal seem out of reach) and Onipaʻa - be firm and steadfast (live your life with conviction). Me ke aloha pumehana a pau loa ʻiaʻoe - all my aloha to you.
Oh shut up with your judgements of what you think everyone in Canada thinks of natives. This is a beautiful video and you had to go and be rude to someone who said something nice.
Stereotyping all Canadian people and grouping everyone and assuming is not a good look. It's like saying all Native people drink and smoke all day and sit downtown doing nothing. So stop
We should be fucking ashamed that aboriginal youth would rather die than live in our country despite it being welcoming to people from everywhere but the land we live on
I live in the Niagara region of Canada! I'm friends with Angie McCartney ( Paul McCartney stepmother) / her daughter Ruth ( Paul's step-sister) and her husband Martin. Angie placed a picture of Paul in concert and he brought up Emma( you) singing this version of the song he wrote! He told us it's on UA-cam( told the audience I should say) and I love it! It's sung beautifully and I love the finger picking on the guitar! Singing it in your native language is so wonderful! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I always loved this song!
What an awesome piece of work. Two years later I keep coming back to hear this. You all should be very proud. Emma is awesome, the guitar is awesome and the Mi'kmaq language sounds so amazing in song. Seeing young people doing such amazing and powerful things gives me hope for this world.
We love this! What a wonderful way to bring the Mi'kmaq language to the world. The familiarity of the tune will open the doors for many impactful conversations, and we hope that we can be a part of the path of reconciliation!
I fell asleep listening to CBC radio last evening. They play a midnight edition of "As It Happens" and I was awoken to this beautiful voice singing this beautiful song. I was really taken back by how beautiful it sounded in this language and her voice. I usually sleep through the radio all night but the song really caught my attention. Has stuck with me all morning. ❤️ Also want to give props to the guitar player. He played that so perfect. 👍
Every time I hear this beautiful song by Miss Emma- it feels like this is the original and that the Beatles were just doing a cover song in english. I am learning these lyrics and teaching them to my chill'ren. thank you for this wonderful piece of art.
So wonderful, Emma! I have loved this song since it first came out in 1968, when I was 14. I learned to play and sing it -- in English, of course -- as soon as I could. About 30 years ago, I was asked to perform at my Hupa grandfather's funeral, and I chose that song. I didn't realize until that day how closely its message mirrors the one that is traditionally delivered to the departed of our tribe (and was in fact spoken, in native Hupa, by the medicine man in charge of the ceremonials.) In my life, the struggle for survival between Native and non-Native has raged continuously, both among people and within my mixed-blood soul. I mostly only speak the language of our conquerors. This performance is a message of rebirth of self, pride and power, but also of unity across our great divide. Thank you from an old man. (Also, kudos to the unnamed guitar player.)
That is astonishing to hear . I always believed that the Beatles , even though they did not realise it themselves , were simply the means by which the Great Spirit manifested itself in musical form. The Beatles are not 4 white British guys - they transcend colour and race .
I was so happy to read your comment about the young man playing guitar. He did a fantastic job too accompanying this young woman. I hope to see more from these two in the future. 🍁
Kwai kwai/Gwe’ from Warsaw (Poland)! This was an extreme pleasure to discover and listen to. Please keep this project going. As an individual born and raised in the Dawn Lands/Wabanahkik, I'd love to hear more of this. Wliwni/Wela’lin!
This made me cry, she sang this so beautifully... I guess the tears are for all those who have been forced to learn new white man language and to be literally forced to forget their own. Bravo Emma Stevens!
Originally from Nova Scotia, having a crappy week for the most part, and then came across this quite by accident. It lifted my spirits way up. You've taken one of my favourite songs and presented it in a way that I never would have expected and it was good, very good ... hell it was absolutely fantastic! All I can say is this; Emma, keep singing. :)
I was at the Paul McCartney 2019 Freshen Up Tour concert last night and Sir Paul told us all to listen to this amazing cover of Blackbird; in fact he was so impressed with this young ladies singing he met her before the show and mentioned she was in the audience that evening. Lovely version.
Just heard Paul McCartney did a shout out at a concert in Kentucky for this beautiful performance of his song. That's great! I live in Nova Scotia. Wonderful job with this by the singer and the guitar player.
Oh my, this is so beautiful. I can't stop listening to it. Emma, your voice is exquisite and the guitar playing is gorgeous. Thank you for introducing the world to Mí'kmaq. Best wishes from Chicago
THAT makes me proud to be Canadian - I didn't understand a word but it was music to my ears. No language or culture should ever die, it's a loss to everyone because we can learn so much from each other...
Emma: I saw Paul last night in Vancouver. He sang Blackbird and afterwards said you were in the house. WHY didn't you perform? The audience would have LOVED to hear you sing this BEAUTIFUL song in your BEAUTIFUL language with your BEAUTIFUL voice.
Giselle Stevens I didn’t get one sorry. He told the story of how he came about writing it then after he sang he said there was a video of a young girl singing in her native tongue. He he evidently loved it. I’m glad he shared because it’s beautiful.
So beautiful, I feel overwhelmed with a sense of deep reverence each time I hear this song. I highly recommend watching this second video below of Emma and her school friends and elders singing and making music together. ua-cam.com/video/QfDtxhsS31A/v-deo.html Watching and hearing Emma singing alongside musicians, elders and dancing children leaves me feeling more hopeful about the possibility we can come to recognize the great heritage of our indigenous neighbours. it also inspires me to think we can learn to live in greater harmony with our beautiful planet Mother Earth as she calls to us to help protect her from our greed and ignorance of our need to honour our home.
This is my go to sing when I’m feeling down! Your voice is so healing. Since my daughter was born 3 years ago I play this for her and I can now sing along.
This is wonderful. Congratulations to everyone involved in putting this performance together, including your parents and teachers and anyone who supported you along the way. Well done. What a beautiful rendition! Meegwetch!
I'm a music teacher in Georgia. Cudos to your wonderful music teacher. Just proves the power that music education has on students..Emma, your voice is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing this song with the world. I heard you on NPR today!!
Wela'lin - thank you so much for doing this cover. It's a beautiful song in its original form but made even more so by singing it in our language. I'm part Mi'kmaq, but was raised white, and I'm trying to learn more about our people, our culture and our language. This cover made me smile. Happy Solstice. ♥
This is actually difficult to sing along with. I tried first with the lyrics and then with the pronunciation and the whole time I was stuttering. It's crazy how different English and Mi'kmaq are
lovely, deeply touching version. I used to vacation on Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and have huge respect for the Mi'kmaq. Why does it make me cry every time I hear this? I suspect that it is true heart to heart and that brings all the deeply rooted feelings. Thank you for making this music and sharing it. Much love & tears.
Emma, your voice is so beautiful and with that young fella on guitar, the song moves me to another dimension - a spiritual place where peace and harmony exist.
This is such a surprise, done so gently. Guitar has just the right feel of a live performance for a few to listen to. Voice is so soft and soothing, like a lullaby. Recording feels dream-like. Wonderful bit of artwork, but gets my eyes dusty. Will wear-out the needle on this one. Thanks for doing this.
The other night we watched the movie "Indian Horse" on NETFLIX about how the Canadian Government removed Native Children from their parents in an attempt to erase the indigenous language, religion and culture. It is an absolutely heartbreaking story which to a much lesser degree brought to mind the "Nuns with Rulers" I encountered while growing up in Catholic School.
I keep listening to Emma's Indigenous language version of Blackbird! I love the Beatle's Blackbird but I think this is better in a different way!Her voice is straight forward but great and the guitarist just nails it!Great job ! This young lady deserves a record contract if she doesn't have one!
Beautiful, beautiful...My great great great grandmother was the daughter of a Mi'kmaq Chief. I enjoyed listening to how she would have spoken in her language, thank you !
Firstly, this is an incredible cover of a remarkable song with such a beautiful backstory. And secondly, this is the language of my grandmothers people. What an honor to hear this amazing rendition!!
So pure. Sweet, tender singing, the soft language, and the gentle guitar. I have Native American ancestors on my mom's side, she always spoke of them with such respect, which resides in me. This reinforces that feeling. Thank you so much.
A few months back, days after Sir Paul gave his blessing to this version, I Heard the CBC interview with you. I was incredibly impressed with it, and it brought tears to my eyes knowing not only a bit of the First Nations history, but also the whole idea of you doing this. Tonight on CBC I was driving home from my best friends house and it started playing again on CBC and again I cried a bit. Though I do not know you, I am incredibly proud of you, and I would be THRILLED if this version started crossing over to ALL the FM stations and was being played.
kerry krishna awe thanks so much, I did so many interviews and I try to talk about the same things over again, because people need to know what’s going on with First Nations. Glad you like the song
Absolutely beautiful....everything, Emma’s voice, the guitar, the video, the song choice....all perfect. Be very proud, you’ve created something very special and unique.
Really do you really think that are you kidding if you were to hear this you'd be coming after royalties he wouldn't care you would not feel you'd probably be angry that he was denied money I realize that your total fandom over a weaselly little b**** impairs your view but if you closely analyze everything to come out of that man's mow every business movies made you would see that he feels nothing comparable to Goodwill or kindness
@@moocyfarus8549 Let's focus on the music, please. This is a great video. Don't take away from it by posting negative comments full of crankiness. Consider removing your comment for the benefit of the rest of the world and respect that these musicians deserve.
The talents of these young people...singer, guitar player and translators...Is another example of the artisic greatness Canada offers to the rest of the world. It would be wonderful to have Paul McCartney see and listen to this. Belleville, Ontario, Canada
read the german article on my phone. went to youtube. searched for the video. liked the video. played first 17 seconds of the video. add video to my favorites. continued watching the video. edit: this is one of the most beautiful languages I’ve ever heard♥️ and your voice.. just moving!!! Amazing job !
I'm a teacher in Surrey, BC, and I have a Mi'kmaq student in my class this year who was moved to tears by hearing her traditional language for the first time. Your video has launched her journey of self-discovery. You're having an impact all the way across the country. Thank you.
You are a true educator, one who takes pleasure in 'drawing out' from within your students. I live in the United States, and we have so few educators, now. We do have 'teachers', but that's not the same thing.
now that is a big piece of the puzzle for that kid, very nice!!
I am reading this through tears, I feel somewhat distance by the fact I am Metis in lineage however my heart is heavy seeing this young couple, hearing this beutiful rendition and reading the supportive comments.
May I suggest a few resources then.
Dr. Ruth Holmes Whitehead is pretty much the leader in the field of Mi`kmaq history and traditions. She has many books. Including; ``Tracking Dr. Lonecloud
``
Dr Daniel Paul is VERY educated in Mi`kmaq history - POST Eropean invasion.
He has his own website. www.danielnpaul.com/
My own art based upon Mi`kmaq history and legends - ua-cam.com/channels/bLNVv81zZx1YcWf4_UWVnQ.html?view_as=subscriber
The Mi`kmaq Heritage Center in Truro Nova Scotia. Those folks have all sorts of information and really nice about sharing it.
Wanda Whitebird TRUE spiritual medicine woman (REAL DEAL) - facebook.com/theOHTN/posts/wanda-whitebird-a-member-of-the-bear-clan-and-the-mikmaq-nation-from-afton-nova-/10151994014785673/
If you would like more info, click my art channel and leave me a message. I carried a pipe for years and kept sacred fire at sweat lodges as well as a traditional dancer. ;)
@@firehawkstudios568 Thank you! I ordered a couple of picture books from Strong Nations (my students are in grade 2), but I will definitely check out and share these! Thank you so, so much.
I'm here because, prior to singing Blackbird, Paul McCartney gave a shoutout to Emma, and her sublime cover, at his Vancouver concert last night.Glad he did, as this is stunning. Beautiful voice and guitar. Indigenous languages and culture must be kept alive and things like this keep them current, relatable and compelling. Well done!
Perhaps instead of French, we should all be learning a First Nations language in school. Respect.
What Sublime song did she cover and is there a recording of it?
@@lonerider92 yes.
ua-cam.com/video/UhxlByBgrrw/v-deo.html
Sir Paul is a class act. So is Emma. Beautiful to hear Mi'kma sung.
@@lonerider92 not Sublime, this “sublime” version: excellent, beautiful, awe inspiring.
I've been living in Canada my whole life and it stuns me how little I know about First Nation's languages. I really liked hearing this beautiful language in this beautiful song with your beautiful voice!
Absolutely agree!
Same here, and I live in a area where at least two of these languages are spoken.
beautiful voice
CBC has one (at least) native music show on CBC 1, on CBC music there is a whole channel.
Well, in many, many regions of Canada, the First Nations have their traditional meetings (the Pow-Wows), and everybody is welcome. You'll get to listen to music, see their dances (yes, there is a contest), eat some traditionaly cooked fish or meat, kids can have fun and listen to stories... here is the link to the Canadian pow-wows. www.crazycrow.com/site/canada-powwows/
I am Mi'kmaq and I love your version. Thank you so much.
I'm Mi'kmaq and I'm trying to learn my language, so this was amazing loved it.
Your language seems to have nice musical sounds...In any case, I hope we can hear more from you :)
I’m also trying to learn it too
Word has it that they're making a mikmaq language app to help teach others to learn
I am trying to learn it too and there is an app out for it.
I’m also looking to learn my language. Would love to know if there is an app
So cool that McCartney saw this and acknowledged Emma during his Vancouver concert. 😄❤👍🍁
NO WAY!?! THATS SO FRIGGING COOL!
Wow, the man himself acknowledged her. Amazing.
I heard he more than acknowledged her but said he didn’t know he could sing it as well as she.
I am so proud of whats happening at our school. I've been a guidance counselor here for two decades, I've seen many talent come and go. But ever since our music program was placed upon, the result is huge. Like a seed planted, I totally believe that this seed is now becoming something beautiful. Like a gardener, Carter our music teacher has been working hard to make sure the beauty is seen and heard by others. There are several projects that Carter has already done in recent years to prove that. The Mi'kmaw language is totally unique and its widely spoken here in Unama'ki (Cape Breton NS, Canada). The beauty of this language is now shared through song all over this globe by social media. The singer, Emma is totally awesome!! The United Nations marks this year as the Year of the Indigenous Language. What a great way to set the tone with this awesome video! Great job ABMHS students!!!
Wela’lin, nitap!
Wetapeksi Unama’ki!
Keep up the great work Darren! Wish i were an Indiginous person culturally speaking. I have much respect for your culture but also much shame for how Europeans have mistreated First Nation People.
Well done Darren and Carter. More please!!! :-)
Ditto that...Congrats to all involved, because music is food for the soul!!!
This is so great. Thanks for sharing the context.
Born and raised in Acadia, with many of my female Ancestors being Mi'kmaq, this moved me to tears. I don't hear Mi'kmaw spoken here in Ontario so this song (as well as the others this incredible school has shared) has become not only some of my and my children's favourites but a feeling of home.
Emma's voice is beautiful. It brings a great sense of hope and community as well as home to those of us who no longer live in the place we were born.
Wela'lin.
What’s up fellow wab, Peskotomuhkat nil, I’m a Passamaquoddy
Im from acadia ! 8th generation of mi'kmaq
@@Holst_Birgit_Lisa_V3 pleasant point?
It moved me to tears the first time I heard it, and putting it on, now, four years later, has the same affect.
As woman from the Pueblo’s of Acoma and Laguna (NM) and a former Miss Indian World, I would like to commend the youth for bringing awareness to language revitalization and how endangered our Indigenous languages are becoming. Blackbird is one of my most favorite songs and now I have a new favorite version of the original! ❤️
Shayai Lucero, wonderful words. I can sense their pride as they perform and hope they continue. They are bright lights to all.
Let me recommend to you a little book (actually a series of essays) by Minae Mizumura entitled, "The Fall of Language in the Age of English". She laments the destruction of Japanese language, but her points concerning the general loss to the world when any language disappears you would find interesting.
All cultures and languages have a lesson to teach, and perhaps faults to avoid. However, if a language or an ethic disappears entirely, than those lessons are gone, forever, and our species comes one step closer to extinction. You, Shayai, are more important than 'historians' in some college, somewhere.
On the other hand, I'm pretty sure that the 'original' of this beautiful song was in English, and it was a thinly disguised reference to the position of Blacks in the United States [hint: the final 'into the heart of the cold dark night' was a descending 'blues' scale]. But, the sentiment, the understanding of a repressed culture yearning for autonomy, or at least respect, resounds with so many.
Let me (a White American of German ancestry of a family that probably only got to this continent in the middle 19th century) commend YOU for trying to preserve that tiny bit of expertise that may, someday, allow 'humanity' a boost.
@@icaruscrane8846 You should feel comfortable saying "sure" rather than "pretty sure". Sir Paul said this very thing on tour in 2017, that this was written for/due to the black struggle during the Civil Rights struggle in the 60's. :)
Shayai Lucero Laguna/Taos and Mi’kmaq here!
Shayai Lucero I was wondering if this was Indigenous. I have maybe 2% and proud of it! God I pray this is the millennium for rebirth!
Paul McCartney gave you a shoutout at one of his concerts
Too bad he referred to the language as from a Native AMERICAN Tribe. Sad really.
heard it
Kelly Vaille Canada is part of North America. While we often say Indigenous or First Nations, he is still, technically, correct
@@kellyvaille554 ... The word america goes way back beyond both Canada and USA. I found this: The name America was coined by Martin Waldseemüller from Americus Vespucius, the Latinized version of the name of Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512), the Italian explorer who mapped South America's east coast and the Caribbean Sea in the early 16th century. ... The adjective American subsequently denoted the New World.
@@kellyvaille554 The tribes lived without borders as we now know them. Native American is an acceptable term to differentiate as Canada is part of the Americas by being part of North America. Congrats Emma! Right on Sir Paul for the shout out!
Hearing Mí'kmaq for the first time. It sounds beautiful. Greetings from Germany !
Me too.Feels like a silk hammer is pounding in my heart .Greetings from São Paulo.
Post Scriptum:
Take a look at this...maybe you'll like...
ua-cam.com/video/gmcjuZRGOfM/v-deo.html
His name is Kapliel Prosper
hi, so sorry to bother but i recently posted a guitar cover of "blackbird" by "the beatles" on my youtube channel and i'd love if someone would check it out. thank you! 🥺💜
I'm from Cape Breton, and Mi'kmaq is cool. I had to learn some for Mixed Science class
Aww 🥺
Thank you, both Emma and Carter. As a Scotswoman , singer and lover of the songs of the land of my ancestry your heartfelt rendition in Mi’kmaq brought to mind all the Gaelic songs I learned as a child and in fact, brought me to tears. I hope we hear lots from you Emma. Keep singing and stirring our hearts. Slainte!
❤❤❤❤
I work in a recording studio as an engineer and producer. This is one of the most beautiful, pure voices I have ever heard. Having worked in the past with elders on programs to sustain and restore traditional languages, I know that the real challenge is finding contemporary contexts for the continued use of these languages. For that reason, as well, you must be thanked and praised for recording this. Beautiful and very moving, Haych'qa siem (thank you worthy ones, in Coast Salish.)
hy>shqe si>am 😃
So smooth and sweet. Her phrasing and attack are natural and heartfelt.
syalutsa ::: British Columbia has many close relationships to the east coast in music and heritage. It’d be great to unite Canada with the language of blessings, healing and peace.
The excellent musician is able to accompany without overpowering her gentle voice, my tears flow with gratitude!
I would love for the school’s music department to use the universally magnetic and harmonious 432Hz. tuning, the original tuning, before the 1940’s when the N@zis changed it to 440Hz., the worst, nauseatingly flat, disharmonic tuning that causes many of us sickness and violence.
Having a trace of Mik'Maq myself, this really hits home.
Can you say"Blackbird" challenge!!!
There must be hundreds of dialects of indigenous peoples language not to mention around the world.
It could be huge!
Even tho it’s been three years I still watch this all the time she is such a beautiful singer
Takakkaw - that’s Cree for it is magnificent.
Derrick Stableford Paqsitpi Wela'lin - that's Mi'kma'q for great thanks
Like Takkakaw Falls
hi, so sorry to bother but i recently posted a guitar cover of "blackbird" by "the beatles" on my youtube channel and i'd love if someone would check it out. thank you! 🥺💜
I'm mi'kmaq and haven't been able to learn my own language but know how beautiful are language is and I'm so grateful that you've been able to share this and share are beautiful culture and language much love from BC Canada and my family in Nova Scotia
Bravo, Emma, absolutely beautiful, and the guitarist accompanying her too.
I just found out today that my dad passed away. This song was something I shared with him some years ago and he really enjoyed hearing. I came back to listen again and think of him...
I’m so sorry for your loss. ❤❤❤
Peace 🕊🎶
AMAZING! Decolonize the Beatles???🤪
The guitar player should have his name on the title 2, that’s some serious pickin!
The Beatles don't need de-colonizing - introduced what we now call 'World Music' (sitar on 'Norwegian Wood'; brief raag structure in 'Love You To', and 'Within You Without You' - quasi Hindustani Classical Music; 'The Inner Light', more than quasi-Carnatic music; mento/reggae via 'Ob-La-Di-Ob-La-Da'), and were polymaths of combining and introducing musical many musical styles from Heavy Metal to Music Hall.
@@drutgat2 this is not your time
@@drutgat2 👍
For sure!
Decolonize? Make your own song you backwoods savage
Such a simple rendition but these two young people have caught the pure beauty of this song in subtle excellent nuance! This is so exciting! Yes, I am saddened by how little most Canadian settlers like me know about the First Nation peoples of Canada, and especially sad about our history of ongoing colonialism simply because we are insecure and afraid. We have all lost so much because of our fear of ‘otherness’. I sure hope Canada is turning a corner and continues to mend the brokenness we have caused! That is why this excellent and professional rendition of Black bird by Emma Stevens and her gifted guitarist is also so heartrending. My ongoing prayer is that we finally learn that although people of the world have many differences, we have so much more in common. We are all human, we all know pain, we all know love. We must not fear what we don’t know. We only hurt ourselves when we put others down and push them away. Emma and friends and many young people like them around the world are a light to all of us and give us hope that we can make our world a much better place, day after day, week after week, until we all live in harmony with each other and the earth.
Just beautiful...a natural, unassuming talent...nice. Really nice guitar work as well. The language sounds beautiful...great phrasing in the adaptation.
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve listened to this song over the years. So beautiful 😊
Emma that was beautiful and touched my heart, particularly because Sir Paul wrote that song to honor an African American woman during the Civil Rights struggle in the 1960s in the US. And to hear it sung in your language. I am part Native Hawaiian, my grandfather was manaleo, a native speaker. We almost saw our peopleʻs language disappear - to loose your language is like loosing part of your soul. Thank you for showing all of us that our languages are not relics of the past but living, vital, creative forces in our lives = like our breath or our blood, we cannot live without it. Continue on, I hope to see and hear more from you. I leave you with the personal mottos of two Hawaiian Queens, Kapiʻolani and Liliʻuokalani, our last ruler before we lost our independence to the US. I hope they give you strength - Kūlia i ka nuʻu - strive to obtain the highest ( never let any goal seem out of reach) and Onipaʻa - be firm and steadfast (live your life with conviction). Me ke aloha pumehana a pau loa ʻiaʻoe - all my aloha to you.
There is nothing wrong to see a grown man cry. Even if it's me look'n in a mirror.
I am overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of this presentation. No sophistry nor 'airs'. All of Canada should be very proud .
Now Canadians want to act proud of the indigenous people...funny🙄
Oh shut up with your judgements of what you think everyone in Canada thinks of natives. This is a beautiful video and you had to go and be rude to someone who said something nice.
Stereotyping all Canadian people and grouping everyone and assuming is not a good look. It's like saying all Native people drink and smoke all day and sit downtown doing nothing. So stop
We should be fucking ashamed that aboriginal youth would rather die than live in our country despite it being welcoming to people from everywhere but the land we live on
That was absolutely beautiful. Both musically, and seeing native languages being kept alive and strong.
I live in the Niagara region of Canada! I'm friends with Angie McCartney ( Paul McCartney stepmother) / her daughter Ruth ( Paul's step-sister) and her husband Martin. Angie placed a picture of Paul in concert and he brought up Emma( you) singing this version of the song he wrote! He told us it's on UA-cam( told the audience I should say) and I love it! It's sung beautifully and I love the finger picking on the guitar! Singing it in your native language is so wonderful! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I always loved this song!
What an awesome piece of work. Two years later I keep coming back to hear this. You all should be very proud. Emma is awesome, the guitar is awesome and the Mi'kmaq language sounds so amazing in song. Seeing young people doing such amazing and powerful things gives me hope for this world.
We love this! What a wonderful way to bring the Mi'kmaq language to the world. The familiarity of the tune will open the doors for many impactful conversations, and we hope that we can be a part of the path of reconciliation!
Emma makes us all proud to be Mikmaq.
I fell asleep listening to CBC radio last evening. They play a midnight edition of "As It Happens" and I was awoken to this beautiful voice singing this beautiful song. I was really taken back by how beautiful it sounded in this language and her voice. I usually sleep through the radio all night but the song really caught my attention. Has stuck with me all morning. ❤️ Also want to give props to the guitar player. He played that so perfect. 👍
Paul McCartney sent me here. Beautiful song, beautiful voice, beautiful language.
Beautiful guitar, beautiful song, beautiful girl. Thank you for this.
Every time I hear this beautiful song by Miss Emma-
it feels like this is the original and that the Beatles were just doing a cover song in english.
I am learning these lyrics and teaching them to my chill'ren.
thank you for this wonderful piece of art.
So wonderful, Emma! I have loved this song since it first came out in 1968, when I was 14. I learned to play and sing it -- in English, of course -- as soon as I could. About 30 years ago, I was asked to perform at my Hupa grandfather's funeral, and I chose that song. I didn't realize until that day how closely its message mirrors the one that is traditionally delivered to the departed of our tribe (and was in fact spoken, in native Hupa, by the medicine man in charge of the ceremonials.) In my life, the struggle for survival between Native and non-Native has raged continuously, both among people and within my mixed-blood soul. I mostly only speak the language of our conquerors. This performance is a message of rebirth of self, pride and power, but also of unity across our great divide. Thank you from an old man. (Also, kudos to the unnamed guitar player.)
Say Ken. What about a Hupa version?
That is astonishing to hear . I always believed that the Beatles ,
even though they did not realise it
themselves , were simply the means by which the Great Spirit
manifested itself in musical form.
The Beatles are not 4 white British guys - they transcend colour and race .
@@2msvalkyrie529 de
Absolutely beautiful and the young gentleman on guitar accompanying you also did an incredible job! Bravo Bravo
I was so happy to read your comment about the young man playing guitar. He did a fantastic job too accompanying this young woman. I hope to see more from these two in the future. 🍁
That Fingerpicking, and those chords is not at all Beginner Level !! Your Blessed.
Absolutely beautiful cover in such a melodic language. The guitarist played so sensitively - very impressive.❤
Kwai kwai/Gwe’ from Warsaw (Poland)! This was an extreme pleasure to discover and listen to. Please keep this project going. As an individual born and raised in the Dawn Lands/Wabanahkik, I'd love to hear more of this. Wliwni/Wela’lin!
This made me cry, she sang this so beautifully... I guess the tears are for all those who have been forced to learn new white man language and to be literally forced to forget their own. Bravo Emma Stevens!
This is the best cover of a Beatles song. This young lady sounds like an angel. Thank you for sharing.
Originally from Nova Scotia, having a crappy week for the most part, and then came across this quite by accident. It lifted my spirits way up. You've taken one of my favourite songs and presented it in a way that I never would have expected and it was good, very good ... hell it was absolutely fantastic! All I can say is this; Emma, keep singing. :)
I didnt realize how beautiful indigenous language sounds ❤️
Absolutely wonerful! I so appreciate when Native people speak and perform in their native tongue.
...cvm-pe (sweet ) tongue...mvskoke/creek.
I was at the Paul McCartney 2019 Freshen Up Tour concert last night and Sir Paul told us all to listen to this amazing cover of Blackbird; in fact he was so impressed with this young ladies singing he met her before the show and mentioned she was in the audience that evening. Lovely version.
Laura Anne, I was there I was sitting near the front but I’m short so my view wasn’t that great but I loved every second of it, it was amazing.
You've really created something beautiful in the world with this. I keep listening to it, and it keeps getting me.
Just heard Paul McCartney did a shout out at a concert in Kentucky for this beautiful performance of his song. That's great! I live in Nova Scotia. Wonderful job with this by the singer and the guitar player.
Hey we have the same name but not the last
wéwénet! wshke-bmadzéjek ézh-shena mamkadkemek (very nice! you young people are amazing!)
Oh my, this is so beautiful. I can't stop listening to it. Emma, your voice is exquisite and the guitar playing is gorgeous. Thank you for introducing the world to Mí'kmaq. Best wishes from Chicago
The Indigenous languages of Canada should be PRIMARY langues while FRANGLAIS should be second.. What a beautiful cover.. Stunning pair singing too
THAT makes me proud to be Canadian - I didn't understand a word but it was music to my ears. No language or culture should ever die, it's a loss to everyone because we can learn so much from each other...
Emma:
I saw Paul last night in Vancouver. He sang Blackbird and afterwards said you were in the house.
WHY didn't you perform? The audience would have LOVED to hear you sing this BEAUTIFUL song in your BEAUTIFUL language with your BEAUTIFUL voice.
after he mentioned her I was really hoping that he would've brought her out to sing
I don't understand a wordas I'm french, but this cover moved me to tears. Bravo to the amazing singer and to the guitar player too.
Paul McCartney mentioned you at his concert, had to check out. Hello from Kentucky. Beautiful!!
Elizabeth Collins omg do you know if there’s a video??
Giselle Stevens I didn’t get one sorry. He told the story of how he came about writing it then after he sang he said there was a video of a young girl singing in her native tongue. He he evidently loved it. I’m glad he shared because it’s beautiful.
So beautiful, I feel overwhelmed with a sense of deep reverence each time I hear this song.
I highly recommend watching this second video below of Emma and her school friends and elders singing and making music together.
ua-cam.com/video/QfDtxhsS31A/v-deo.html
Watching and hearing Emma singing alongside musicians, elders and dancing children leaves me feeling more hopeful about the possibility we can
come to recognize the great heritage of our indigenous neighbours. it also inspires me to think we can learn to live in greater harmony with our beautiful planet
Mother Earth as she calls to us to help protect her from our greed and ignorance of our need to honour our home.
Gorgeous in every way- stunning vocal, gorgeous guitar... I really hope Paul McCartney hears this! I bet he will just love it.
Me too. I hope that it has been sent to him.
He mentioned it in a concert. He’s heard it❣️
@@Yesim730 How cool is that!
I need to purchase this cover. Someone take my MONEY!!!!
It isn't released for commercial release. I don't believe.
www.flvto.biz/ That's a UA-cam to MP3 converter, give that a shot.
Beautiful! You have honored Mi'kmaq heritage and brought great joy to all Mi'kmaq and our ancestors!
This is my go to sing when I’m feeling down! Your voice is so healing. Since my daughter was born 3 years ago I play this for her and I can now sing along.
Just beautiful, Emma. And the guitar work is simply amazing too!
This is wonderful. Congratulations to everyone involved in putting this performance together, including your parents and teachers and anyone who supported you along the way. Well done. What a beautiful rendition! Meegwetch!
I hope Sir Paul McCartney sees this. She’s perfect.❤️
And Ringo! He's still around.
I was at his show in Lexington, he mentioned her
Jon Allgaier That’s great. Thanks.
I went to Paul's show the other night, he saw this and gave her a shoutout!!
He always mention it. He was in Vamcouver, and mentioned, but the crowd (bunch of hicks) never heard of her before
From someone whose world has lost its voice, thank you.
Bravo from Trois-Rivieres, Quebec
I'm a music teacher in Georgia. Cudos to your wonderful music teacher. Just proves the power that music education has on students..Emma, your voice is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing this song with the world. I heard you on NPR today!!
So amazing and inspiring to hear this interpreted in Mi'kmaq! Beautiful voice too! A+++
Wela'lin - thank you so much for doing this cover. It's a beautiful song in its original form but made even more so by singing it in our language. I'm part Mi'kmaq, but was raised white, and I'm trying to learn more about our people, our culture and our language. This cover made me smile. Happy Solstice. ♥
What a wonderful rendition of Blackbird. Bravo!
Its beautiful song.. such a rich language..
This is actually difficult to sing along with. I tried first with the lyrics and then with the pronunciation and the whole time I was stuttering. It's crazy how different English and Mi'kmaq are
lovely, deeply touching version. I used to vacation on Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and have huge respect for the Mi'kmaq. Why does it make me cry every time I hear this? I suspect that it is true heart to heart and that brings all the deeply rooted feelings. Thank you for making this music and sharing it. Much love & tears.
I cry everytime too. Even if I don't want to lol
Emma, your voice is so beautiful and with that young fella on guitar, the song moves me to another dimension - a spiritual place where peace and harmony exist.
Magnifique ! Mi'kmaq sounds beautiful
Greetings from France !
Mi'kmaq means allies
This is such a surprise, done so gently. Guitar has just the right feel of a live performance for a few to listen to. Voice is so soft and soothing, like a lullaby. Recording feels dream-like. Wonderful bit of artwork, but gets my eyes dusty. Will wear-out the needle on this one. Thanks for doing this.
The other night we watched the movie "Indian Horse" on NETFLIX about how the Canadian Government removed Native Children from their parents in an attempt to erase the indigenous language, religion and culture. It is an absolutely heartbreaking story which to a much lesser degree brought to mind the "Nuns with Rulers" I encountered while growing up in Catholic School.
Thank you for choosing such a beautiful way to raise awareness of your language! You both do the song far more than justice!
I keep listening to Emma's Indigenous language version of Blackbird! I love the Beatle's Blackbird but I think this is better in a different way!Her voice is straight forward but great and the guitarist just nails it!Great job ! This young lady deserves a record contract if she doesn't have one!
The Beatles would love this. It's so gentle and caressing! Sweet voice! And how about that guitarist!
Beautiful. And the guitar playing is wonderful, too.
Nice to hear a song from first Nation . Love from Wales
This was absolutely beautiful. I listened in tears. Thank you, Emma.
Beautiful, beautiful...My great great great grandmother was the daughter of a Mi'kmaq Chief. I enjoyed listening to how she would have spoken in her language, thank you !
Firstly, this is an incredible cover of a remarkable song with such a beautiful backstory. And secondly, this is the language of my grandmothers people. What an honor to hear this amazing rendition!!
So pure. Sweet, tender singing, the soft language, and the gentle guitar. I have Native American ancestors on my mom's side, she always spoke of them with such respect, which resides in me. This reinforces that feeling. Thank you so much.
Hearing Mí'kmaq for the first time. It sounds beautiful. Greetings from Brasil!
Beautifully done! Wonderful voice. But WHO is the guitar player? Please, amend this and add his name.
Yes!! Who is that man??
He sure did a great job
Carter, the music teacher, is playing guitar
Sarah, thanks for the info. They both did a terrific job with one of my favourite songs.
His name is Kaplie'l (Gabriel) Prosper, also a youth from Eskasoni First Nation.
This is beautiful and my entire body goose bumped while listening to it.💝💯🎼🌍🎼💯💝
so beautiful!!! both of you...the guitarist (sorry your name isn't mentioned and it should be) and the emma the singer... fabulous!!!!
Might I add, the guitarist...phenomenal. Thanks you for your talent.
Incredibly beautiful in the Mi'kmaq language. Thank you for this.
A few months back, days after Sir Paul gave his blessing to this version, I Heard the CBC interview with you. I was incredibly impressed with it, and it brought tears to my eyes knowing not only a bit of the First Nations history, but also the whole idea of you doing this. Tonight on CBC I was driving home from my best friends house and it started playing again on CBC and again I cried a bit. Though I do not know you, I am incredibly proud of you, and I would be THRILLED if this version started crossing over to ALL the FM stations and was being played.
kerry krishna awe thanks so much, I did so many interviews and I try to talk about the same things over again, because people need to know what’s going on with First Nations. Glad you like the song
Wonderful!!!!! Love from a fellow Wabanaki person! (Odanak). Your voice is BEAUTIFUL, EMMA!!! xoxoxo
Absolutely beautiful....everything, Emma’s voice, the guitar, the video, the song choice....all perfect. Be very proud, you’ve created something very special and unique.
I do hope Paul hears it! Great cover, beautiful language - thank you!
I like to believe it would bring a smile to his face.
Really do you really think that are you kidding if you were to hear this you'd be coming after royalties he wouldn't care you would not feel you'd probably be angry that he was denied money I realize that your total fandom over a weaselly little b**** impairs your view but if you closely analyze everything to come out of that man's mow every business movies made you would see that he feels nothing comparable to Goodwill or kindness
Doesn’t Michael Jackson’s estate own the rights to these songs?
@@moocyfarus8549 Let's focus on the music, please. This is a great video. Don't take away from it by posting negative comments full of crankiness. Consider removing your comment for the benefit of the rest of the world and respect that these musicians deserve.
I heard you on CBC Radio today, what a beautiful rendition of this song, it touched me.....kudos to your guitarist as well.
The talents of these young people...singer, guitar player and translators...Is another example of the artisic greatness Canada offers to the rest of the world. It would be wonderful to have Paul McCartney see and listen to this.
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
read the german article on my phone. went to youtube. searched for the video. liked the video. played first 17 seconds of the video. add video to my favorites. continued watching the video.
edit: this is one of the most beautiful languages I’ve ever heard♥️ and your voice.. just moving!!! Amazing job !
Fantastic! I heard it on CBC while on a road trip. Made my day :)
so charming and moving !! i share on facebook and hope you will awake a lot of people consciousness about First Nations culture
This is absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful voice and language alike. Xoxo thank you for sharing your heritage with us all. Xo
Bella interpretación al rescate de la lengua originaria!!!!!