cree

cool tunes

NWT Cree Language Program

Nêhiyaw

The multi-award nominated group, The Johnnys, known for their high-energy performances, now feature an expanded sound with the addition of a second lead guitarist and two backing vocalists, and a setlist punctuated with funk and blues alongside its traditional hard rock anthems.

A highlight is the band's new single, Nisakihtan Kiya Kisoskatowin, a reimagined version of I'm Lovin' Your Heat from their 2013 release Rock, sung entirely in Cree. The song was recently produced as a collaboration between The Johnnys and the NWT Metis Nation's Cree Language Program.

"It's been a goal of mine to learn Cree, my mother's first language, and with the Cree Language Program we're trying to open the door for people, myself included, to learn the language through song," says lead vocalist Veronica Johnny. "To be playing this song with the band, singing in Cree; it's a dream come true."

"Nisakihtan Kiya Kisoskatowin" (pronounced Nee-sah-gee-tan Key-ya Key-so-skah-toe-win)      ᓂᓵᑭᐦᑕᐣ ᑭᔭ ᑭᓱᐢᑲᑐᐃᐧᐣ

Nisakihtan = I love    Kiya = You    Kisoskatowin = (Your) Heat

Nisakihtan Kiya Kisoskatowin ᓂᓵᑭᐦᑕᐣ ᑭᔭ ᑭᓱᐢᑲᑐᐃᐧᐣ

This is an interview with local elder Dorothy Dejarlais on the significance of māmawāpiyak (community).

Māmawāpiyak

These are two songs from our upcoming album "Nehiyaw Nikamonak: Oyoyowin ohci Nanaskomowin" (Cree Songs: Howls for Gratitude). All 14 songs from the album will be available for free on June 21st.

02 — Nisakihtan Kiya Kisoskatowin — The Johnnys

03 —  Nika-Mo — Jason Burnstick

11 — Awa Ahcahk Wapi-Ōho Nikamon — Mary Cardinal

This is our Cree Compilations album: "Nehiyaw Nikamonak: Oyoyowin ohci Nanaskomowin" (Cree Songs: Howls for Gratitude). All 14 songs from the album are available for free as of June 21st.

01 — Look At This — A Tribe Called Red+Northern Cree

04 — Nikamowin Nikamon ē Nēhiyaw — Jordann Poitras

05 — Ātayōhkan — State of the Art

09 — Pekiskwewin Sīpīy — Dominic Abraham

10 — Singer’s Song — Northern Cree Singers

12 — Creeland Blues — Art Napoleon

13 — Kiyanāw Acakosih-Tipiskāw — Kelcey Pierrot

14 — Miyo Nihtāwikiwin Kokum — NWT Cree Language Program