Canadian Indigenous vocalist, songwriter and activist Jeremy Dutcher heralds the arrival of his latest album, Motewolonuwok, with the release of a new ethereal pop aria, “a resistance song for all, inspired by a traditional Wolastoq melody.”

‘Pomawsuwinuwok Wonakiyawolotuwok’ translates as ‘people are rising,’ and finds Dutcher riding an infectious Bruce Hornsby-like piano melody, while alternating tongues in a richly imploring tenor, a voice recalling the irresistible tenderness of Anohni and Beverly Glenn-Copland. “I wanted to write a song that flowed between Wolastoqey [considered an endangered language] and English [the voice of the settler – a direct line of communication platforming stories of healing, resilience and emergence], in the hope of calling as many people to the table as possible to witness the rising.”  

The track’s accompanying video (available to watch below), directed by Tranquilo and Dutcher, was filmed during the Tobioque Neqotkuk Annual Pow Wow, a cultural celebration showcasing Wolastoq dance, music, costume and ritual.  

Motewolonuwok is out now via Secret City Records. Read the review in the latest issue of Songlines