Wolasweltomultine
let’s give thanks

April 25, 2025
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Wolasweltomultine ciw pomawsuwakon
Woliwon ciw psiw-te keq
Woliwon ciw Samaqan ma-tehc ‘kotuwossmiw

[ Let’s give thanks for life
Thank you for everything
Thank you for the Water so no one will go thirsty ]

Woliwon ciw pskihqol ciliw wolimahasqiyil
Woliwon ciw ‘pisun, weci kisi-pilsultiyeq
Woliwon ciw micuwakon, wellam woli-kisihkultuwok knicannok
Woliwon ciw Kcihq, Oposiyik, Wikpiyik naka Stahqonok.

[Thank you for the grasses, especially for the sweetgrass
Thank you for the medicine so that we may keep ourselves well,
Thank you for the food, so that our children may grow strong.
Thank you for the forest, for the Tree relatives, the ash and evergreens. ]

Woliwon ciw Sipsisok, wolitaqatol ktolintuwakonawal
Woliwon ciw Weyossisok, pehkituniya nekomaw kcihq.
Woliwon ciw wocawson, wellam kisi-wolahtmutihpon.

[Thank you for the bird relatives, their songs sound so beautiful.
Thank you for the Animal relatives, they keep the forest clean.
Thank you for the Wind, so that we may breathe clean air. ]

Woliwon ciw Petakiyik, ‘peciptuninya komiwon naka psiw-te
wolikisihkon.
Woliwon ciw Kisuhs klahtwenmakon spotew naka kwoliposukon.
Woliwon ciw Nipawset knipayahtwenmakon.

[Thank you for the Thunder beings, they bring the rain so that everything may grow well.
Thank you for the Sun, you give us light and keeps us warm.
Thank you for the moon, you light our way at night. ]

Woliwon ciw Possesomok ciw elahtwehsultihtit

[Thank you for the stars, for the beautiful way that they shine.]

Woliwon Skitkomiq
Ciw psiw-te keq.
Eli-woleyuwinok.

[Thank you to the Earth, for everything. We are grateful.]

Jeremy Dutcher

Jeremy Dutcher is a classically trained Wolastoqey musician and vocal artist from Neqotkuk. His formal education includes a dual Bachelor of Arts in Music and Social Anthropology from Dalhousie University, where he also received classical training as an operatic tenor. In 2024, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Education from Nipissing University for his contributions to Indigenous language revitalization through music. Jeremy blends archival recordings of Wolastoqey Elders with contemporary music to bring the language to life. His Polaris Prize-winning debut album sparked international conversation about Indigenous language and identity.