‘Protect Our Land’ is a song written and recorded by a group of our youth from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation siʔáḿθɘt school. The song and accompanying music video were produced by N’we Jinan, a travelling, Indigenous-led studio that works with First Nations youth across Canada.
We are proud of our youth for sharing their voices in protecting our territory and empowering our community. The song is a way for the students to express themselves and the cultural teachings that are at the core of Tsleil-Waututh Nation siʔáḿθɘt (“si-om-thet”) School.
The school provides a culturally appropriate learning environment that nurtures the well-being of students, families, and the community as a whole. Our program is anchored in the TWN laws of truth, family, culture, and well-being. Land-based learning is practiced regularly with our classes spending considerable time doing outdoor experiential education (OEE) in their traditional territories.
Listen here:
Read more about the process in the North Shore News:
LYRICS:
CHORUS
Protect our land, from the pollution
Hold my hand, let’s find a solution
Heya Heya, it’s not an illusion
Heya heya, this is a movement
TAKIYAH
I am proud of my home and my culture
I get to sing and dance, drum with friends
ARIANNA
Drumming and singing by the ocean and the water
It makes me feel great when I’m on the land walking
Hear the elders talking, hear the elders speak
Always find my peace when I’m chilling by the beach
NAOMI
I find peace at my dad’s house
I wanna make my home and my family proud
Where I’m from, might be a little place
But we keep it charged like batteries, Triple AAA
JOSÉ and ROBBIE
North Shore Way, you put us in a small space
We’ll fight to get our land back
This is our soundtrack
NAOMII T
In the snowy mountains where it’s cold and crisp
I’m trying to make you see like an optometrist
Because my language and culture is out of focus
But you’ll never cut me down like you did the forest
CHORUS
Protect our land, from the pollution
Hold my hand, let’s find a solution
Heya Heya, it’s not an illusion
Heya heya, this is a movement
LAWRENCE
My knowledge is heavy
My nation is deadly
But all I wanna know is
If the bannock is ready
KADENCE
I’ll tell you what’s on my mind
I don’t like the pipeline
Get the oil out
The water is our lifeline
LAYLA and TYLIE
They stole our land, we want it back
We’re proud of the culture, our language too
We follow steps our elders do
We like weaving together
We learn and get better
When we make mistakes
We help each other
KENYON
I’m going in for my nation, no hesitation, it’s land back
I keep my culture on my shoulders like a backpack
I live for these mountains, I’m counting my blessings
Give every ounce of strength so my family ain’t stressin’
LEXI
Learn about the past,
The good and the bad
Clean up the land, the ocean, the sky
The wind in my hand
CHORUS
Protect our land, from the pollution
Hold my hand, let’s find a solution
Heya Heya, it’s not an illusion
Heya heya, this is a movement
GEORGIA (it’s not the same without you)
Cold waves, flow pulls me, the current stays
Canoeing in the water, my happy place
