We Love Our Children From Songs and Activities for Young Peacemakers A Resource from Teaching Tolerance A Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center

Kanenhi:io (pronounced Ganaheo) The women of Kanenhi:io ( pronounced Ganaheo) live in the Wahta Mohawk Territory in Ontario, Canada. They represent several First Nations peoples. First Nations people are Canadian native people. In America we call first peoples Native Americans. Native means “first.” The First Nations of Canada include Mohawk, Innu, Potawantomi and Cree nations. The name Kanenhi:io is a Mohawk word meaning “The Good Seeds” and refers to the seeds of unity and peace that these musicians spread with their songs.

About the musicians. As members of the Iroquois Singing Society, Kanenhi:io travel widely to share their music and traditions. They teach others about First Nations drumming and spiritual practices throughout Canada and at international music festivals.

Listen to this song What types of voices do you hear? Is there one voice or many voices? Is there one part to the song or many parts? How many parts do you think you hear? What kinds of instruments do you hear? How does this song make you feel?

Analyze the Music What types of voices do you hear? (women’s) Is there one voice or many voices? (more than one) Is there one part to the song or many parts? (more than one) How many parts do you think you hear? (three) What kinds of instruments do you hear? (maracas) How does this song make you feel?

About the song Like many of the group’s songs, “We Love Our Children” combines traditional rhythms and instruments such as Iroquois water drum, with original words, melody and harmonies. Lead singer Wathahine heard this song. She felt it was about her son.

Wathahine says: “I write songs in Kanienke:haka, the Mohawk language,” says Wathahine, (which means long journey in Mohawk) “because our language is a very sacred thing. Everything within our culture, our ceremonies, cannot survive unless we have our language. The message of this song is that all people of the world must love their children, as they are the future of our world.” First Peoples Gallery, Royal BC Museum Photo Used with Permission

Listen to the song again Listen to the first part of the song. Raise your hand when you think you hear the SECOND part of the song start. Touch your head when you think you hear the THIRD part now.

Try singing the song: First Part: Wey ya hey ya hey wey-ey ya hey ya Second Part: Wey ya hey ya wey ya Third Part: Ya roo go na di sa ra wo-o ho hey ha Wey ya wey ya hey wey a hey-ey ya

What’s in a Name? In the Mohawk culture, clan mothers give children descriptive names that reflect a respect for nature or describe a special skill or characteristic. The Mohawk name Kahentawaks, for example, means “She Sways With the Grass.” In some parts of Ghana, a child many be given several names. One of these names may indicate the day of the week the child was born or birth order. For example, the name Kwame Mensah means that the child was born on a Saturday (Kwame) and is the third child (Mensah) in the family.

What’s in a Name? In some parts of the world, children receive names that parents hope will help shape their personality and influence their future. For example, the Arabic name Saideh means “Lucky.” Japanese last names often describe things found in nature. For example, the last name Hanna means “Flower” and Ogawa means “Small River.”

My Name My name is Andrea Nichols. I got the last name from my father, it’s the family name. His name is Mr. Nichols and my mom’s name is Mrs. Nichols. My mother named me. She told me once that she was going to name me Karen. My name would have been Karen Nichols. Karen is a good name, but it seems funny to think of myself with any other name but Andrea. I looked my name up in a book and it said that the name Andrea means “wise.” Wise means smart. I think that smart is a good thing to be so Andrea is a good name for me.

Tell Me about Your Name What is your name? Who named you? How did they choose YOUR name? Do you like your name? Why or why not? If you could have another name what would it be? Would you like that name better? Why or why not. Does your name have a special meaning?

Native Peoples Drumming

Resources PowerPoint created by Ms. Andrea Nichols 8/5/10 Lesson Plan: (2003). I Will Be Your Friend: Songs for Young Peacemakers. Teaching Tolerance. Southern Poverty Law Center. Photo of Andrea Nichols courtesy of Andrea Nichols First Peoples Gallery, Royal BC Museum Photo Used with Permission