Introduction

Hi, my name is Renae and I’m here to share a song with you. I created this song about relationships, relationships to the lands and waters, to our families and communities, and relationship to what our heart needs in the moment.

My little cat, Ginger, knows when I’m sad and she’ll come sit beside me. She’ll let me know everything is okay. Sometimes Ginger will rub her little body against my leg and say, “Hey, I’m hungry!” and I’ll know what she wants.

We’re all about relationships. This song is a celebration and a dedication to listen deeply to those around you, to your classmates, to your teacher, and to all the people that make up your life.

When listening to the song there are moments when the M’Girls (Deanna Gestrin, Sherryl Sewepegahan, Kelsey Wavey, Michelle Bardach, and Renae Morriseau) start to whisper because we want to hear your voice, the song that bubbles up inside you. Maybe it’s just a word, maybe this little song inspires you to come up with your own chant. But what do you love about the relationships you have? Who in your life makes you have happy thoughts, who makes you laugh?

Most of all please have fun when you create your addition to this song, from your heart, from your mind, and from your spirit.

CREDITS FOR RELATIONSHIP SONG

Composer and lead vocalist Renae Morriseau

With the voices of Deanna Gestrin, Sherryl Sewepegahan, Kelsey Wavey, and Michelle Bardach

Cinematography by Ashley Daniel Foot

Renae Morriseau

Renae is Cree and Saulteaux from the Treaty 1 Territory of Manitoba and has worked across Canada and Internationally in film, television and music since the early 80s. She is honoured to have received cultural teachings through social and ceremonial songs and stories with the Secwepemc, Okanagan, Nlaka’pamux, Cree and Anishnaabe peoples. Renae toured internationally with her singing group M’Girl; served as Aboriginal Storyteller at the Vancouver Public Library and directed Down2Earth, an APTN TV Series on green-energy developments and sustainability projects in Maori (New Zealand) and First Nations (Canada) communities. Community building projects include the winter outdoor production Contest of the Winds with Caravan Farm Theatre, the community play Tuwitames with Splatsin Language Program (Secwepemc Nation)/Runaway Moon Theatre, and co-writing In the Heart of a City:The Downtown Eastside Community Play and Storyweaving with Vancouver Moving Theatre.