Mitákuye – First Nations

[Intro] [rhythm only, breath, wood percussion, distant low voices, no melody] [Verse 1 – Lakota] [deep voice, minimal percussion] Mitákuye oyás’iŋ, we remember the plains Tatanka runs inside our veins Before the borders, before the chains We were the wind, we were the rain [Chorus – Lakota] [choir enters, call-response, stronger rhythm] Mitákuye oyás’iŋ (hey!) One heart, many names From the dust to the flame We rise, we remain [Verse 2 – Navajo / Diné] [light percussion, voice + subtle drone] Diné bikéyah nihíji’ígíí Tó éí íiyisí nihá shikaadéé’ Hózhó náhásdlíí’, t’áá hwó’ ajít’éego Nihíji’ígíí doo da’ats’íísí [Chorus – Lakota] [full choir, call-response stronger] Mitákuye oyás’iŋ (hey!) Voices never fade Through the fire and the blade We stand unafraid [Verse 3 – Hopi] [grounded rhythm, soft backing choir] Nu’ umi tuuwaqatsi Itam um waynuma Corn grows, spirit flows We walk where the old wind blows [Bridge] [violin lead, emotional, minimal rhythm, voices low] We were nations, we were free Now echoes of memory But in the sound, in every cry Our spirit never dies [Final Chorus] [full choir, layered voices, strong emotion] Mitákuye oyás’iŋ (hey!) We are still the flame Not forgotten names We rise, we remain [Outro] [violin soft, choir fading, wind ambience]