Ann's Eye: Hear the songs of Mawintuhtine, a newly launched Wolastoqey songbook
Twenty songs written in Wolastoqey are now available in a songbook, created by the staff of the language immersion school Kehkimin and other Indigenous community members.
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CBC
04-05-2025
- CBC
Carrying the music forward: New book features songs written in Wolastoqey
This is part of a series called Ann's Eye, featuring the work of Ann Paul, a Wolastoqey content creator. You can see more Ann's Eye pieces by clicking here. In April, at a school tucked away in the woods where language comes back to life, a beautiful family memory was unfolding. There was music that night at Kehkimin, a Wolastoqey language immersion school for Indigenous children. Multiple generations had gathered for the launch of Mawintuhtine, a Wolastoqey songbook months in the making. Ann Paul, a content creator for CBC, was there alongside her mother, Elder Maggie Paul, and her daughter. For the first time, all three drummed together, following along to the 20 songs compiled inside Mawintuhtine, which translates to "Let us sing together." "It was a spiritual experience that happened that evening, when we were all singing together," Ann said. "It was amazing, and I was so proud. It was a proud moment." WATCH | ' We've been singing these songs for a long time, but I never knew what I was saying': Ann's Eye: Hear the songs of Mawintuhtine, a newly launched Wolastoqey songbook 9 minutes ago Duration 2:29 Mawintuhtine is the result of the hard work of Kehkimin's curriculum team members Louis-Xavier, Lisa-Maude Aubin-Berube, Lisa Perley-Dutcher and Catherine Desjardins. Language editor Roseanne Clark helped transcribe most of the songs, and the project was also helped along by linguist Robert Leavitt. Song carriers Elder Maggie Paul and Jeremy Dutcher also assisted in the book's development, and Stephen Dutcher served as editor. Watch the video and scroll through the photos to learn more about the music of Mawintuhtine. Ann's Eye Photographer Ann Paul brings an Indigenous lens to stories from First Nations communities across New Brunswick. Click here or on the image below to see more of her work.
CBC
04-05-2025
- CBC
Ann's Eye: Hear the songs of Mawintuhtine, a newly launched Wolastoqey songbook
Twenty songs written in Wolastoqey are now available in a songbook, created by the staff of the language immersion school Kehkimin and other Indigenous community members.
CBC
09-04-2025
- CBC
Animated film in Wolastoqey language aims to explore mental health in kid-friendly way
A troubled fox finds an unlikely friend in a tiny, mischievous demon in the latest piece from a Wolastoqew storyteller. Qaqsoss naka Wahantuhsis, an animated film that will premiere later this month in Miramichi N.B., is told entirely in the Wolastoqey language. Tara Audibert from Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick wrote, produced and directed the film and describes it as an exploration of trauma, mental illness and the journey of confronting personal demons in order to find healing. "It's an important story that's hard to talk about with children, but from my perspective, it's something that should be talked about," she said. The film follows Qaqsoss, a red fox, as she struggles with inner turmoil and takes refuge in a dark forest to escape a pack of wolves. There, she encounters Wahantuhsis, a tiny demon. Initially at odds with each other, the pair gradually form a bond as they journey through an underworld together. Despite working with just a third of the budget of a typical low-budget feature film, Audibert credits her team of nearly 40 artists and animators for their dedication to the project. Adrian Francis, who is Mi'kmaw from Esgenoopetitj First Nation, voices Wahantuhsis, the tiny demon character who speaks mainly through sounds – hiccups, screeching, growls and more. One of the film's most touching moments, Francis says, is when Qaqsoss and Wahantuhsis share a meal. The pair who have had a few negative interactions are finally able to drop their walls and bond over the food they share. "No matter the geographical location or what language you speak, I mean, food always tends to bring us together as human beings," said Francis. Francis showed the film to his 10-year-old son and said he was moved when his son asked, "Dad, could I be a voice actor?" "I'm so happy and proud; I told him, 'You can do whatever you want,'" said Francis. Beyond its themes, the film contributes to the preservation of the Wolastoqey language, with scripting entirely in Wolastoqey – a language with an estimated less than 100 fluent speakers. At the heart of this effort is Carole Polchies, who both translated the script and narrated the film. One of only two fluent speakers in Woodstock First Nation, she sees the project as a vital part of revitalizing the language. "We're getting older," she said. "I'm 88 going on 89 and the other speaker is 90 already. We have to start taking responsibility for our language." Polchies is a language teacher in her community. She was able to bring a handful of her students into the film, casting them as young foxes listening to the narrator's story. "Ninety-five per cent of our culture is in the language," said Polchies. "If you have your language, you've got everything." Qaqsoss naka Wahantuhsis will feature subtitles in English, French and Wolastoqey. The film premieres April 19 at the Miramichi Cineplex, screening in Wolastoqey with English subtitles.
