Another PNW Indigenous “Marseillaise”, and it’s a doozy
For real??
I find another Pacific NW “Marseillaise” (you know, the French national anthem that’s sampled in “All You Need Is Love” by the Beatles) —
Two Yakama men with peace pipe, Olympia, WA, 1921
(image credit: Facebook “Indigenous Histories“)
— and it’s a Yakama “peace” song lecturing the Native people and praising the invader, Colonel George Wright??
A place of pilgrimage in my home county, because of George Wright;
you can also look up “Whistalks Way”
(image credit: Spokane Historical)
This is not strictly Chinook Jargon-related, except that I was able to link to the above Chinuk Wawa lyrics. Also, its author was, with near-certainty, one of the early users of the Jargon in British Columbia.
This eye-popping conceptual song is found in the “Grammar and Dictionary of the Yakama Language” (Ichishkíin Sínwit of modern Washington state) by the priest Marie-Charles Pandosy, published in 1862.
I’ll just quote the lyrics in English translation here, but I know my readers know how to click a link with the best of ’em.
Can’t help imagining what the reception of these words was like, so soon after the crooked Stevens Treaties and a war or two:
I.
Come then, all you Natives, come and join us; though you erred in your stubborn refusal to heed our words, at least be open to our invitation now. You have harbored ill will toward the Americans long enough. Now, Natives and Americans, we are one; Natives and Americans, we join hands.
II.
Come then, all you whom “White Head” summons; come, hasten to him, go quickly to offer him your hearts—all you our elder brothers, our uncles (paternal and maternal), our grandfathers (paternal and maternal), and you our younger brothers—come all to make peace, come to offer your hearts. Natives and Americans, we shall be of one heart; we shall join hands.
III.
Yes, it is you, and you alone, Colonel Wright, who won our hearts when, with the gentle words you spoke to us, you urged us toward peace; it is in all sincerity that, accepting your proposal, we laid down our arms, never to take them up or use them again except under your command and against your enemies. Now, Natives and Americans, we are of one heart; Natives and Americans, we join hands.
IV.
The day that brought you among us will live forever in our hearts; oh, my words, take wing and fly swiftly to resound in the ears of all Americans: now, Natives and Americans, we are of one heart, etc.
V.
Oh, colorful, star-spangled flag (American flag), we place ourselves under your protection; for us, too, you shall be a rallying sign; You will extend your benevolent care to us as well, just as you extend it to all Americans, and like them, we are dying in your defense. Now, Natives and Americans, we are but one heart, etc.
𛰅𛱁𛰃𛱂 𛰙𛱁𛱆𛰅𛱁 𛰃𛱄𛰙𛰃𛱄𛰙? qʰáta mayka tə́mtəm?
kata maika tumtum? Qu’en penses-tu?
What do you think?
And can you say it in Chinuk Wawa?
Hey! Teach Yourself northern-dialect Chinook Jargon!
And join free Zoom sessions…
Contact me for the Zoom link.
