Turtle Island Water
Foundation
Foundation
“The Water Song” was composed by Alex Turtle, Diné (Navajo) and Southern Cheyenne, and Chenoa Egawa, Lummi and S’Klallam. It is sung in the Diné language and carries one of our Native teachings about the blessing of the spirit of water through the male and female rains.
Through this song, we remember and honor the spirit and sacredness of water. We lend our voices to stand up for the protection and preservation of clean, pure water in all its forms and states of being. By way of the images shared in the video, we hope to illustrate the power and miracle of water, from the thunderclouds and highest snowy mountain peaks, to the waterfalls, rivers, springs and oceans. May the song be received as medicine for our Mother Earth. May it call our attention, once again, to the brilliant journey and wisdom of water as it travels our world, renewing, revitalizing, and supporting all life so generously along the way. May we all come together to reciprocate that generosity by taking care of our sacred waters each and every day. May our awareness, stewardship and actions ensure clean water for today, and for generations to come.
We acknowledge, with immense gratitude, the teachings shared with us by our elders and our ancestors. Knowledge of the sacredness of water, and many other vitally important teachings about life have been preserved and held in the highest regard to this day in certain places around the world. Most often this wisdom has been kept alive among indigenous peoples, who are continuously striving to maintain the languages, cultures, and ways of life that honor living in balance with ourselves, one another and the natural world.
We give thanks to Whiteshell Haskie of the Diné Nation, for participating in this video and representing the hopes we have for our younger generations. May all the children of our beautiful planet be able to grow up with teachings that strengthen their ability to understand the sacredness of water and the interconnectedness of all life. And may they always remember to live with hope, awareness, gratitude, respect, and great care for all life in each and every moment, fully awake.
Director: Matthew Gamlen, Producer: Eric Watson, Production Assistant: Ramona Bradley,
Additional Footage: Kent Wagner, Flute Music: Tyler Penor
Brought forth by Mashkoonce Day, Wasaw Wahzhoo Banaise Dodem (Condor Clan)
Performed by Dorene Day, Waubanewquay, Marten Clan, Produced by Stephen Lang,
The story of the Nibi (Water) Song told by Beatrice Menase Kwe Jackson, Migizi Clan.
This song was written by Doreen Day at the request of her grandson. She attended a conference about the water in which the internationally known speaker, Dr. Masaru Emoto said, the very least we should do every day, is to speak to the water:
So she did this. Every day on their drive to drop Mashkoonce (Little Elk) to school, they passed a body of water. And every day they said these words to the water as they drove by. They made games by saying it in different voices and then would say it as fast as they could. Then one day Mashkoonce, said, "Nokomis why can't we say this in our language?" So, Dorene asked her daughter's language teacher to write it in Ojibwemowin. Dorene had the words taped to the car visor as they learned the words.
One day this grandson Mashkoonce said, "Nokomis why don't we sing the words, don't you think the water would like it to be sung?" So she thought about it and came up with the tune. They sang this song to the water every morning on their drive to school.
It is sung like a lullaby and we don't use shakers or drums.
Ne-be Gee Zah- gay- e- goo
Gee Me-gwetch -wayn ne- me -- goo
Gee Zah Wayn ne- me- goo
Doreen and her grandson, Mashkoonce, give permission for everyone to share this song... sing it to the water every day.