Ojibwe Nibi (Water) Song

Although some believe drum songs are for everyone to use, it is best to seek guidance from someone who is a drumkeeper or songkeeper, or who has more knowledge about the history and use of each song.

The Nibi (Water) song is a deeply respected song among the Anishinaabeg, sung to express gratitude, love, and respect for the water that gives life to all things. The song was written by Doreen Day at the request of her grandson, Mashkoonce (Little Elk). After learning about teachings that say speaking kindly to water can change its energy and promote healing, they began saying words of gratitude to the water every morning on their way to school. Eventually, Mashkoonce asked his grandmother to translate their daily words into Ojibwemowin and turn them into a melody. Today, it is sung daily by water protectors and community members as a way to be mindful of the need for clean, healing waters across the earth. It is often sung like a gentle lullaby, frequently by women using hand drums or without any instruments at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLUf7EiMmqZDajHGO0vlgD5coi_yTVIaPU&v=ks5IIzYX3t8

Native American songs are comprised of a series of vocables and sometimes contain words in a First Nation language. Vocables are syllables that are sung on different notes mostly comprised of the audible sounds of "wey", "hey", "heya". The pitch or melody of the song is more important than the vocables themselves.

The words for the Ojibwe Nibi (Water) song are as follows:

Ne-be Gee Zah-gay-e-goo Gee Me-gwetch-wayn ne-me-goo Gee Zah Wayn ne-me-goo

Water, we love you. We thank you. We respect you.

Information and song lyrics courtesy of Doreen Day and Beatrice Menase Kwe Jackson via the Mother Earth Water Walk. Doreen and her grandson, Mashkoonce, give permission for everyone to share this song and encourage all people to sing it to the water every day.