In the video, I share with you two musical moments created by Sandrine Masse and me. First, the call-and-response song between the mother and daughter to help Iwe’s find her way back to the camp during the ash storms. And the song Hahchiouta’ah when Iwe’s learns that grandfather Hahchiouta’ah was caught last night by the spirit of the breath and is quietly passing away.
The story takes place in an apocalyptic time where on the island of the great turtle, the Wendat are increasingly less present. Threatened at night by the spirit of the breath, they must always sleep in the earth to avoid being caught by the spirit and quietly die. It is always windy, sometimes several ash storms from forest fires disrupt daily life.
Awentenhaonh iwe’s lives with her mother and maternal grandfather in a small camp. Awentenhaonh iwe’s (she is always on the move), from the wolf clan, has taken on the role of hunter, protector, and her only goal in life is to provide for her small family. Very serious and always on the move, Iwe’s never stops. Her aging grandfather is the complete opposite. Great storyteller, great talker, his primary goal is to pass on the Wendat language to his daughter and granddaughter, as well as the stories, culture, skills, and Wendat memory. Grandfather and Iwe’s often bicker because Iwe’s finds it very pointless.
One morning, Iwe’s learns that grandfather Hahchiouta’ah was caught the previous night by a breath spirit and is quietly passing away. Iwe’s will then decide to trace the medicinal roots of the tree that fell at the beginning of the world with Yäa’taenhtsihk, the ancestor of the sky world. This creation myth, her grandfather often told it to her. She will embark on an adventure to find her roots and hopes to heal her grandfather. Along the way, she will learn the great power of the Wendat language.
Translation of the words used in Wendat in the song Hahchiouta’ah
Hahchiouta’ah: maternal grandfather
A’yitaraha’: I just fell
Eskatieronhkwaha’: the strength will return to me
Yonnonhwe’: I love you
Hahchiouta’ah sarhonh sentah: Grandfather, rest, lie down Ekonwakahtahnda’: I will come back to see you Eskonyen’: I will see you again
Project in progress
Note that all the Wendat words used above have not been reviewed by the Wendat linguist Megan Lukaniec. These words may change just like some narrative elements.
