Stories & Songs | DANE-ZAA SONGS
This is a collection of the songs used within this web exhibit. Please listen and learn about our Dreamers and our musical traditions.
How many years ago. Old prophet. When you sing it now, just like new.
Tommy Attachie, 1998 (Catalog #TA4-A).
PLACES
Albert Askoty singing a song by the Dreamer Nááchįį/Oker, 1994.
The late song keeper Albert Askoty sings a song dreamed by one of his mentors, the Dreamer Nááchįi/Oker. This was recorded at the memorial Tea Dance for Alice Moccasin (Albert's wife) at Doig River, BC, in 1994. Alice Moccasin settled at Petersen's Crossing in the 1940's with her first husband, the Dreamer Nááchįį/Oker. After Oker died in 1951 Alice remarried Albert Askoty and they continued to live at Petersen's Crossing until the late 1980s. This performance is a powerful tribute to the woman who connected the lives of the Dreamer Oker and Albert Askoty so intimately.
Billy Makadahay singing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe, 1969.
Billy Makadahay sings a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe. Billy Makadahay settled at Petersen's Crossing in the early 1950s. This was recorded at the memorial Tea Dance for Anno Davis. Doig River, August 1969.
Charlie Dominic singing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe, 1979.
Charlie Dominic sings a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe. Doig River, 1979. Tommy Attachie has explained (2006) that this is an important and powerful song for Dane-zaa. It is often used during cold times to bring warm weather.
Billy Makadahay singing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe at the memorial for Anno Davis. Doig River, 1969.
Billy Makadahay singing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe at the memorial for Anno Davis. Doig River, 1969. Tommy Attachie has explained (2006) that this is an important and powerful song for Dane-zaa. It is often used during cold times to bring warm weather. In this case it was used during a memorial to assist the deceased's (Anno Davis's) journey along the trail to Heaven.
Albert Askoty singing the Dreamer Gaayęą's "Prairie Chicken Song," 1990s.
Albert Askoty singing the Dreamer Gaayęą's "Prairie Chicken Song," 1990s. Gaayęą brought this song back from Heaven in a dream at Sweeney Creek. The drummers and singers camped there helped Gaayęą to remember the song by singing it over and over.
Charlie Dominic singing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe, 1979.
Charlie Dominic singing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe, Doig River, 1979.
Doig River Drummers singing a song by the Dreamer Nááchįį/Oker, 2001
Doig River Drummers Tommy Attachie, Sam Acko, Edward Achla, Leo Acko, Gary Oker, Jack Askoty and Clarence Apsassin sing a song by the Dreamer Nááchįį/Oker. Doig River cultural days, 2001.
Tommy Attachie and the Doig River Drummers singing "Suunéch'ii Kéch'iige" by the Dreamer Gaayęą, 2004.
"Suunéch'ii Kéch'iige" ("The Place Where Happiness Dwells") was dreamed by Gaayęą and is sung here by the Doig River Drummers in 2004. This song has been passed along through oral tradition and maintained by our songkeepers. The song represents fond memories of a traditional Dane-zaa summer gathering spot above the Peace River at Gat Tah Kwą̂ (Montney). This gathering spot was selected by our people for their reserve lands in 1914 but was later taken away by the federal government.
Tommy Attachie singing a song by the Dreamer Nááchę (John Notseta), 2001.
Tommy Attachie singing a song by the Dreamer Nááchę (John Notseta), Petersen's Crossing, 2001. The Dreamer Nááchę (John Notseta) travelled from the Prophet River area to the Montney area from time to time to sing Dreamers' songs like this one for Dane-zaa gathered there.
Tommy Attachie and the Doig River Drummers singing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe, Doig River, 2004.
Tommy Attachie and the Doig River Drummers sing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe at our annual summer Tea Dance. Doig River, 2004.
A DREAMER'S DRUM
Tommy Attachie singing a prayer song by the Dreamer Nááchę (John Notseta), circa 2001.
Tommy Attachie sings a prayer song dreamed by the Dreamer Nááchę (John Notseta), Petersen's Crossing, circa 2001. Tommy says this is an important song used by Dane-zaa to give them strength during hard times.
DREAMERS AND THE LAND
Tommy Attachie and the Doig River Drummers singing the Dreamer Gaayęą's "Prairie Chicken Song," Doig River, 2004
The Dreamer Gaayęą brought this song back from Heaven in a dream he had at Sweeney Creek. The drummers and singers camped with him there helped Gaayęą to remember the song by singing it over and over.
Tommy Attachie and the Doig River Drummers singing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe, Doig River, 2004.
Tommy Attachie and the Doig River Drummers sing a song by the Dreamer Adíshtl'íshe and talk about the Dreamer. Recorded at the annual Doig River Dreamers' Dance, July, 2004.
Tommy Attachie and the Doig River Drummers singing a song by the Dreamer Azáde, Doig River, 2004.
Tommy Attachie and the Doig River Drummers close their Dreamers' Dance at Doig River with a song by the Dreamer Azáde, July, 2004.
Tommy Attachie and the Doig River Drummers singing a song by the Dreamer Makéts'awéswąą, Doig River, 2004.
Tommy Attachie and the Doig River Drummers sing a song by the Dreamer Makéts'awéswąą at a Dreamers Dance, Doig River, July, 2004.
The Doig River Drummers singing a song by the Dreamer Charlie Yahey, Doig River, 2004.
The Doig River Drummers sing a song by our last Dreamer, Charlie Yahey, at our summer Dreamers Dance, Doig River, July, 2004