First Nations Ts'msyen songwriter Saltwater Hank has shared the rollicking "'Nii Wila Waalt," the latest single from his upcoming full-length G̱al'üünx wil lu Holtga Liimi, which is arriving July 1.
Written entirely in the Ts'msyen language Sm'algyax and inspired by Hank's longstanding love of roots and country music, G̱al'üünx wil lu Holtga Liimi was created as a document of resistance against North America's genocidal machine, a push against our various governments' efforts to eradicate Native culture and language.
"'Nii Wila Waalt" was inspired by Hank's research into Indigenous practices for harvesting seaweed, which stated that the seaweed must be harvested before cedar bark is stripped, as stripping the cedar brings rain — he later learned that this piece of traditional knowledge is a scientifically accurate practice:
This is a series of natural events that indicate when we are supposed to harvest things. These protocols have been passed down since time immemorial, and are really indicative of how the gregorian calendar just does not make sense to us.
We go after salmonberries when the ripening bird sings, and that's that. We only harvest in good weather, because the weather is a very powerful thing that is meant to be respected. We always harvest our seaweed first because we have to dry it right away. If we strip cedar bark, the old people say it will rain, and we can't dry our seaweed outside if it's raining. If we strip the cedar bark too early it will also hurt the tree.
Listen to "'Nii Wila Waalt" and check out the G̱al'üünx wil lu Holtga Liimi tracklist below.
G̱al'üünx wil lu Holtga Liimi:
1. Uks Yaan Ḵ'a̱sḵ'oos
2. Ba'wis
3. Dm Yootu Stukwliin
4. Ndo'o Yaan
5. Waaba Gwa̱soo
6. Liimi Maḵ'ooxs
7. Akadi K'uł Waal Nsiip'nsgu
8.'Nii Wila Waalt
9. Goosnł Waals Noon
Preorder G̱al'üünx wil lu Holtga Liimi
Written entirely in the Ts'msyen language Sm'algyax and inspired by Hank's longstanding love of roots and country music, G̱al'üünx wil lu Holtga Liimi was created as a document of resistance against North America's genocidal machine, a push against our various governments' efforts to eradicate Native culture and language.
"'Nii Wila Waalt" was inspired by Hank's research into Indigenous practices for harvesting seaweed, which stated that the seaweed must be harvested before cedar bark is stripped, as stripping the cedar brings rain — he later learned that this piece of traditional knowledge is a scientifically accurate practice:
This is a series of natural events that indicate when we are supposed to harvest things. These protocols have been passed down since time immemorial, and are really indicative of how the gregorian calendar just does not make sense to us.
We go after salmonberries when the ripening bird sings, and that's that. We only harvest in good weather, because the weather is a very powerful thing that is meant to be respected. We always harvest our seaweed first because we have to dry it right away. If we strip cedar bark, the old people say it will rain, and we can't dry our seaweed outside if it's raining. If we strip the cedar bark too early it will also hurt the tree.
Listen to "'Nii Wila Waalt" and check out the G̱al'üünx wil lu Holtga Liimi tracklist below.
G̱al'üünx wil lu Holtga Liimi:
1. Uks Yaan Ḵ'a̱sḵ'oos
2. Ba'wis
3. Dm Yootu Stukwliin
4. Ndo'o Yaan
5. Waaba Gwa̱soo
6. Liimi Maḵ'ooxs
7. Akadi K'uł Waal Nsiip'nsgu
8.'Nii Wila Waalt
9. Goosnł Waals Noon
Preorder G̱al'üünx wil lu Holtga Liimi