All photos by Banchi Hanuse.
Community members gathered outside on June 7 at Snuqaax – Bella Coola’s outdoor music venue – to hear something extraordinary, and they were not disappointed. Nusximta, Nuxalk Radio’s full-length, feature album produced entirely in the Nuxalk language, was released live, and those in attendance were absolutely spellbound.
“When we expressed our feelings, we expressed it through music, and that’s the beauty of being Nuxalk,” explained Nuxalk Radio host Skw’asmana (Iris Siwallace). “That music was the biggest expression that we had, and we were able to use it when we couldn’t express feelings or emotions.”
Containing 11 songs composed by Nuxalkmc ages 8 – 67 years old, the album was created in honour of Nuxalk Radio’s 10-year anniversary and fulfills the radio station’s dedication to keep the Nuxalk language alive. Currently there are only four Nuxalkmc who speak Nuxalk as their first language, and since its inception in 2014, Nuxalk Radio has played a key role in language revitalization.
“This album was made for our people,” said Nuxalk Radio host Qwaxw (Spencer Siwallace). “It was meant to inspire us and others to create songs in the Nuxalk language. To show that it can be done.”
The songs are varied and all very distinct from one another. There are upbeat tracks containing hints of EDM to acapellas, lullabies, hip hop and traditional Indigenous compositions mixed with modern elements. However, what makes the album so special is the depth of meaning and emotion the songs contain.
The Nuxalk language is known for its profound ability to express complicated concepts with a wisdom and emotion that is unavailable in English, and listening to the songs one instinctively realizes their significance, even if one cannot understand the language.
“I wanted to write a song about our women that didn’t have the words ‘missing,’ ‘murdered’ or’ violence’ connected to it. It’s about valued and empowered women. People can feel that without even knowing what the words are,” said Nuskmata (Jacinda Mack) of her song Ista Nts Ali. “All of the songs on the album in our language are really beautiful, respectful and complex. They weren’t about ego or any kind of disrespect. I think it is indicative of how the Nuxalk language teaches us how to be.”
Immersed in the language, the listener is taken on a truly remarkable experience through topics that include the ancient Nuxalk story of the four carpenters, love for a grandbaby, the celebration of peeking under the dance curtain to watch a potlatch unfold through the feet of Stataltmc (Chiefs), and Nuxalk empowerment and healing.
Nusximta features Nuxalk Radio hosts Tatala, Ximximana and Q’xta – also known as the local seasoned rapper Rollah Mack – Nuxalk Radio’s tech genius and radio host Qwaxw, Nuxalk land protector and musician Nuskmata (Jacinda Mack), Nuxalk chef Ximana (Nola Mack), Nuxalk language champion Staltmc Wilhpun, eight-year-old girls Ts’ikwalhm and K’ipt who sang a song written by Umq’umklika, Nuxalk music prodigy Coastyn Hall on the piano and Bella Coola local Randy Brook on wind instruments.
Montréal music producer David Hodges provided guidance and assistance and artist and multi-instrumentalist Milan André Boronell produced the album. Nuxalk Radio’s co-founder Slts’lani (Banchi Hanuse) was the Executive Producer and brought the vision to life.
Officially launched on June 21, 2014, the Nuxalk Radio Station is located in the small remote village of Q’umk’uts’ in Bella Coola, Nuxalk. The station has utilized various methods of teaching the Nuxalk language on-air and found that singing in the language is a great way to learn Nuxalk.
“For 10 years, the Nuxalk Radio Station has played Indigenous music in a variety of different languages from all over the world, but we have had little-to-no new Nuxalk music entirely in the Nuxalk language to broadcast on-air so we decided we needed to do something about it,” said Slts’lani (Banchi Hanuse), co-founder of the Nuxalk Radio Station and Executive Producer.
You can download Nusximta on all of the major streaming platforms and you can tune into Nuxalk Radio anytime at 91.1FM in Q’umk’uts or online at www.nuxalkradio.com.
