This song was written during the time between winter and spring, when snow might fall on grass turning green, and changing temperatures release sap from maple trees. It appears here in three of the languages that have echoed through the Great Lakes region from Detroit to Duluth, from Montreal in Milwaukee. A simple audio sample offers one possible tune, but it is intended to be adapted, to give women strength in changing times, to be the echo of a younger self advising the elder self to persist, and the elders no longer with us whispering across time.

Painting, “Zisijiwan” by Fionnan Noori, 2017

Gaagige

Gaagige maamawizoongide’eyang
Forever we are strong together
Pour toujours nous sommes forts ensemble

Gaagige maamawizoongide’eyang
Forever we are strong together
Pour toujours nous sommes forts ensemble

Daanisag aawiyang shkaakaamikweng
We are daughters of the earth
Nous sommes filles de la terre

Daanisag aawiyang mino-gichigaming
We are daughters of the seas
Nous sommes filles des mers

Giizis miinawaa maanidoog zaagiyangidwaa
The sun and the spirits love us
Le soleil et les esprits nous aiment

Dibiki-giizis anangokaang zaagiwangidwaa
The moon and the stars love us
La lune et les étoiles nous aiment