{"id":2595,"date":"2021-10-27T09:47:07","date_gmt":"2021-10-27T16:47:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/indigenous-education\/?page_id=2595"},"modified":"2025-12-04T14:01:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T22:01:15","slug":"a%cc%b1mlala-sa-k%cc%b1%cc%93umux%cc%b1se","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/indigenous-education\/a%cc%b1mlala-sa-k%cc%b1%cc%93umux%cc%b1se\/","title":{"rendered":"A\u0331m\u2019lala sa K\u0331\u0313umux\u0331se\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

A\u0331m\u2019lala sa K\u0331\u0313umux\u0331se\u2019<\/h2>\n
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Song History<\/strong><\/p>\n

A\u0331m\u2019lala sa K\u0331\u0313umux\u0331se\u2019 was created in July 2018 for Indigenous Education (School District 71) to be sung by all students to celebrate Kwakwaka\u2019wakw culture and language. A\u0331m\u2019lala sa K\u0331\u0313umux\u0331se\u2019 translates as ‘Play Song of the K\u2019omoux’ and speaks to the great land \u201cila a hii\u201d and the powerful ocean and rivers \u201cskoo kum chuck\u201d that are here within the lands of the K\u2019omoux. The song was released into our School District in a ceremony held during a Professional Development Day on February 15, 2019.<\/p>\n

Purpose of Song\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

From Kwakwaka\u2019wakw teachings songs are used for many different reasons. There are songs composed to be used to travel by canoe, songs to welcome guests and songs to celebrate, or play.\u00a0 When someone composes a song, it is connected to not only them but also all their ancestors. There is song composition knowledge that has been passed down from one generation to the next. The song is more than just words; it expresses the story that is being told.\u00a0 Our Kwakwaka\u2019wakw ancestors would listen to all the sounds around them to gain inspiration. The way rainwater drips off a leaf could guide the work of song composers. Not all words in each Indigenous language can always be fully captured by an English translation. The meaning of most songs goes much deeper than we realize <\/span>\u00a0(Jessie Everson – SD#71 Indigenous Engagement and Knowledge Specialist, 2025).<\/span><\/p>\n

Use of Song Protocols<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Acknowledge the creator of the song (William Wasden Jr) from Alert Bay, British Columbia.
\n\u2022 Share the history and purpose of the song (see above descriptions).
\n\u2022 The song must be respectfully used in the style \/ format it was released (no changes).<\/p>\n

Song Creator: William Wasden Jr. Bio<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u200bWilliam Hi\u0142amas Edward Wasden Jr. Waxawidi \u201cCanoes Come to His Shore\u201d was born at \u02bcYalis (Alert Bay) British Columbia on October 14, 1967. William is a member of the \u2018Namgis Nation \u201cNimpkish Valley Tribe\u201d. William carries many names and dances that have been bestowed on him by various sides of his families. William is also a descendant of the Cook, Wanukw, Hunt, Alfred, Harris and Innis families. He can also trace his ancestry to the T\u0142ingit of Alaska and the Mowachaht of the West Coast.<\/p>\n

William has taught most of his adult life in the majority of schools in the unceded Kwakwaka\u2019wakw territories. He also ventures to share his knowledge of song composition with other nations along the coast.<\/p>\n

William continues to teach all that he knows to the next generation of Kwakwaka\u2019wakw. For many years, William has worked at the U\u2019mista Cultural Center at Alert Bay BC as a researcher and cultural advisor. Recently, he has been rehired to return and continue work in language and history documentation for the Kwakwaka\u2019wakw Nation.<\/p>\n

For a full printable bio, click on the following link: William Wasden Jr Bio<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Song Holders<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the gifting of A\u0331m\u2019lala sa K\u0331\u0313umux\u0331se\u2019 to take place, a dedicated group of people came together to help remember and carry the story of the song. This group became known as the Song Keepers of A\u0331m\u2019lala sa K\u0331\u0313umux\u0331se\u2019. In later years, the name shifted to Song Holders, to reflect their important role in sharing and passing this knowledge to others.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Song Holders listed below have each chosen to carry this responsibility for as long as they feel called to do so.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n