"Return to the Waters" © 2006

2006, 2007 Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards Nominee

2006, 2007 Indian Summer Music Awards Nominee

2007 Native American Music Awards Nominee 

2007 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards Nominee

Well here it is folks, my 2nd CD just released through Sunshine Records. This album is filled with just beautiful flute music that will stir your heart and heal your soul. The music on this album is primarily flute with natural sounds in the back ground. There are also some songs that have the flute accompanied by the little Iroquois Water Drum and Cow Horn Rattles. (pictures for this CD and By Sacred Waters were taken at Manigotogan Falls, Manigotogan, Manitoba. Same river, different rock, ten years apart). This album is for those who like the flute as the primary instrument but also like to have added accompaniment with nature sounds. 

Please click on the highlighted song title to hear selection sample  

1. ONKWEHONWE DAWN SONG: (4:03) To the Iroquois or Onkwehonwe (Real) people, the morning is a special time of day in which we begin the day by offering the "First Words" to our Creator and all of creation. In this way we give them thanks for continuing to follow their sacred instructions. This song is part of a song of thanksgiving for the new day.

2. STANDING BENEATH THE FALLS:  (audio sample)  (3:35)  After offering thanksgiving it was often the custom of our people to go to the water to dip. Thus cleansing and preparing ourselves for the new day that was yet to come. This song came to Sakoieta' when he stood near Talcott Falls, in Mohawk territory, New York State.

3. RIPPLING WATER: (3:42)  Water has the ability to cleanse, soothe and relieve us of our aches, pains and burdens. Water symbolizes the strength and spiritual foundation of the women in our society. It is their responsibility to fulfill their roles and use their strength to guide the men in our work. This song was written when Sakoieta' was at Kanatsiohareke (The Clean Pot) Mohawk Community in New York State.

4. WAYFARING STRANGER: (audio sample) (5:00)  This song is on old tune that speaks of a wanderer constantly searching to find his way in life. I put it on this album because it reminds me of the necessity we have to follow the path the Creator has put before us in order for our life to make the beautiful music it was destined to make. 

5. TRADITIONAL SONG: (4:20)  This is an old traditional song of the Sioux or Lakota people. I play it to honor the relationships we have with other nations who walk and live on our Mother Earth's body. We are to work at being friends to each other through concepts of peace, mutual respect and friendship, given to us by Peacemaker, one of the Creator's messengers to our people.

6. SKENNENKO:WA KEN: (3:24)  This is one of our greetings we extend to each other as Onkwehonwe people when we meet. It can be translated as, "Still, is the Great Peace with you?" We sing it as a Women's Dance Song to honor the women and their role in helping to establish the Great Peace. 

7. TSIONTHWATASE:THA: (4:32)  This is a song that comes from the selection of New Women's Dance Songs that are sung by different singers within the Iroquois Longhouse Tradition. Since we are a matrilineal society we honor the female for her role at being the doorway from the Sky World to life on Mother Earth for all people. 

8. TEWUTAHAWIHT'S SONG: (4:46)  This is a song I wrote for my best friend, supporter, and partner. The women carry that gift of giving life and renewing the creation through the gifts of these little babies they bring into the world. The women are the foundation upon which our culture has been formed here on our Mother the Earth. Tewutahawiht, this song is for you, as my small way of saying thank you for the goodness, kindness, and love you carry within you, that you share with me each and every day. Konnoronhkwa. 

9. IN THE WATER'S MIST: (audio sample) (6:21)  Many times in our lives things happen that we are not sure of. We question the why's and wherefore's. In doing so we often find ourselves looking at things in an unclear manner much like the mist of the water when we look at it. By looking to the Spirit we find clarity comes and with it the sense of awe and wonder at a Creator who cleanses our vision and restores us to the "Good Mind." This is a song Sakoieta' wrote during some difficult times. 

10. TO THOSE WHO GO BEFORE: (audio sample)  (4:37)  We have each been given a beautiful life to live, with everything our Mother Earth provides for us to enjoy that life. We each have relatives who lived here and who have now gone back to the Sky World. It is to them we offer thanks, that while they were here they held us in their thoughts and all the work they did was for our benefit. More than anything we need the Creator's strength, wisdom, love, and guidance to do our work while we live and walk on the Earth, for those who will come behind us. To those who have gone before we offer great thanks. Niawenhkowa.

To order contact:

Sunshine Records

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