Honour Song

One of our most beloved Knowledge Keepers, Elder George Paul, has dedicated more than four decades of his life to supporting the revitalization of our nation’s culture. In many ways, his tireless efforts have led a resurgence in our culture’s beautiful tapestry of language, spirit and tradition — a colourful Mi’kmaw tapestry made all the more powerful when celebrated through the performance arts — and in particular, as we come together as a community to join in traditional song and dance.

A residential school survivor from Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation in New Brunswick, George credits formative musical collaborations with the Birch Creek Singers to supporting his journey back to traditional and ceremonial gatherings. In 1981, George organized his first Mawiomi at Red Bank (“Mawiomi” is the Mi’kmaw word for a powwow). In honour of the event, he lobbied leadership, spearheaded fundraising and gathered up friends

by Julie Pellissier-Lush

near and far to lend a hand. With each year, his music and passion continues to rally enthusiasm, inspiring L’nu’k and others to join in Indigenous cultural celebration from the four directions.

George’s music, including The Mi’kmaq Honour Song, was also featured in a recent compilation by the internationally renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma. He’s even expanded his performing arts repertoire to acting, making his premier on the big screen this spring in the movie Ug Wug. And while he’s brushing shoulders with the greats, he’s never too proud to enjoy karaoke with friends or sing along live to his favourite songs on Facebook, translating old favourites like Hawaiian Love into Mi’kmaq.

“When I seen the book, I was excited; this is the book that is in three languages. Our culture, our language, our stories are catching on. There are a lot of people looking to get this book, and I only have so many, but the publishing company, they are the ones that are the big movers on this,” he said.

“This all started when I was approached by a publishing company, who told me that this book was a very beautiful book, and because they were from the French community, and they said they would like to see this book go to a wider audience, like the French audience. They said there was a lot of interest across the country where the French communities are and the French schools as well. Once we talked, we formed an agreement and made a contract, where everything would be done in the three languages, English, French and Mi’kmaq. My first book was done in Nova Scotia, it was made to bring it to the schools for the kids to have, so they can understand the Mi’kmaq Honour Song, what it means and where it came from. To tell them about my experience in residential school, which ties in with what is happening these days.

“With my first book, I communicated back and forth with the ones helping me make it, approving everything that was going on with the book, mostly by email. They started looking for an artist, and even though I am an artist; they wanted a professional.”

Not to diminish George’s skill and talent as an artist; as a painter he has created beautiful, original works of art, one of which is still in the Lennox Island Museum, and this image also made it to the front of a book about Glooscap written by the late Keptin John Joe Sark.

“I offered them a few names, and they started searching for just the right person, and after looking around they found Loretta Gould.”

Loretta Gould was born in Cape Breton, in Waycobah First Nation, in Nova Scotia. Like George she dreamed of sharing her art all over the world. You can have a look at some of her beautiful work on her Facebook page, Mi’kmaq Artist Loretta Gould.

“I was very happy to have her as the artist for this book. Her style and vibrant colours are just what it needed and worked really well for it. When I saw the first vision of the whole thing, I was really excited. I really like the symbols they put in the book, the hieroglyphics; there is one there that represents learning. It gives those reading this book an idea of the history of the Mi’kmaq people and the writing system that we had. It doesn’t go into detail about the writing of the hieroglyphics, but it gives you the symbol there, and it means ‘to learn.’”

George said the book started with an interview he did in Cape Breton.

“I told my story about my experience, and they drew from that, and this book came out. It was written in the style for children, because they designed it that way, and it turned out just right, just what it needed. This book is even better, because of the collaboration we have had. Loretta agreed to be a part of it and her art work is going to get around, people will see her art wherever this book goes. It is the sharing of the art, sharing the story, and sharing what the Honour Song is, where it came from.”

Now just like in the book, George made a promise to keep sharing his story, to bring back the drumming and chanting, and he is doing that. His Mi’kmaq Honour Song has been translated into many languages since he first started sharing it and it still surprises him how far this song has travelled. It is all over the world now; people are sharing it, singing it and now they can learn more about where it came from through his new book.

George is not only an award-winning singer, traditional dancer and drummer, crafter and artist, he is now the writer of an amazing new book that is going to travel all over Canada and beyond to be read by many people, young and old. The sadness he felt over the loss of so much, his language, his drumming, dancing and song because of residential school, through that pain he was gifted a song from his ancestors, and now that song has a story, a story about truth, resilience and the heart of an amazing, talented man, Elder George Paul. Wela’lin (thank you) for helping to return honour and pride to our people, Nitap (my friend). ■

JULIE PELLISSIER-LUSH M.S.M, is an actress and bestselling author of My Mi’kmaq Mother, and the outgoing poet laureate for P.E.I. She lives in P.E.I. with her husband Rick, her five children and her granddaughter Miah.