Need Inuit song for kindergarteners

Subject: Need Unuit song for kindergarteners
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Oct 03 - 08:01 PM

The Christmas/Holidays play at my sister's school this year takes place in an Unuit village in Alaska. She has asked me to see if I can find a song, specifically related to the Unuit, for the youngest members of the play, those in kindergarten, to sing.

I've found a couple of sites, but nothing specific, so any help is much appreciated by both of us.:-)

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Need Unuit song for kindergarteners
From: KT
Date: 24 Oct 03 - 09:24 PM

hey kat! Try "Inuit" and see what you come up with. Also, you might find some good info here...http://www.ankn.uaf.edu/ancr.html

Subject: RE: Need Unuit song for kindergarteners
From: LadyJean
Date: 24 Oct 03 - 10:06 PM

When I was a Girl Scout, we sang an Unuit song about a seal hunt. Right all you other ex Girl Scouts! Help this lady find it. It began something like "accky taccky oomba acky tacky ooomba hey little hi little ho little hey". I'm betting it's in a girl scout songbook somewhere.
OH! There were gestures to go with it! It would be next to perfect for kindergartners.

Subject: RE: Need Unuit song for kindergarteners
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Oct 03 - 11:57 PM

Found some, thanks!

LadyJean, if it is in a Girl Scout book, my sister will have it!

Thanks a bunch,

kat

Subject: RE: Need Unuit song for kindergarteners
From: Tinker
Date: 25 Oct 03 - 07:46 AM

Kat, if you can't find it, PM me and I'll call and sing it to you. There are only two lines, and the motions tell the story. I learnt it slightly different.

Ach-a Catcha Noway Ach-a Catcha Noway
Amos A-Damos A Do Mees-a day (Repeat this all twice)   
Fold arms and Rock them like a boat

Ess a cola mis a wanna
Ess a cola mees a wanna--- Ahh!
Shade eyes and search out to sea

Repeat first verse travel in boat again

Repeat first verse -- motion onehand spearing the seals

Repeat second verse slowly hand over hand dragging in the heavy weight. End verse with a strong grunt

Repeat first verse with boat moving very slowly.

Repeat first verse (going back out) fast once again.

Unfortunately it seems to have been cut from scout lists around hear because seal hunting is no longer okay.

Good Luck

Subject: RE: Need Unuit song for kindergarteners
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Oct 03 - 09:19 AM

Thanks, Tinker!

KT, I meant to say those links led to some really great resources, thanks!

kat

Subject: RE: Need Unuit song for kindergarteners
From: KT
Date: 25 Oct 03 - 10:59 PM

Good, kat. I'm glad it was helpful to you. There is some really good, authentic information.   KT

Subject: RE: Need Unuit song for kindergarteners
From: bet
Date: 27 Oct 03 - 11:00 AM

Thanks for all the help. I too learned that song and never did figure out why they cut it but now that I am older and wiser I see their reasoning.   My kids might be able to get away with it and this is a hunting community.   Good for kindergarteners. bet

Subject: RE: Need Inuit song for kindergarteners
From: LadyJean
Date: 28 Oct 03 - 12:01 AM

I'm happy to sing the song again, especially when I got it so wrong! I do remember that we didn't spear the seal, we shot it. BANG! But that's not going to go over now.
The Unuit would have eaten the seal, and used it's skin for clothing of a new kayak. So, I don't mind then killing one.

Subject: RE: Need Inuit song for kindergarteners
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 01 Nov 03 - 03:15 PM

Check out the music of Susan Aglukark. I think she's in Toronto now. Also, go to the Nunavut Department of Education. They should be able to direct you to other school teachers who use the language in their classes. They are more than willing to share.

Subject: RE: Need Inuit song for kindergarteners
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Nov 03 - 04:16 PM

katlaughing, have you ever read 'King Island Christmas'? It was written by Jean Rogers and illustrated by Rie Munoz, both Juneau women. A few years ago it was made into a full length musical by Debbie Breeden and it's been staged a couple of times a year since.

There are no Inuit children's songs as such in it but it has some great songs that both adults and children sing. It's a story about a Christmas season at King Island when the local priest can't get to town because of a fierce storm with its high seas and the Inuit villagers climb over the mountain to the sheltered side of the island to meet the ship.

http://www.kingislandchristmas.com/

Subject: RE: Need Inuit song for kindergarteners
From: GUEST,KT
Date: 01 Nov 03 - 10:30 PM

Hey, Ebbie, the music is wonderful! Available on CD too!

Subject: RE: Need Inuit song for kindergarteners
From: bet
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 05:29 PM

Wow! It has taken some time for me to get back to all the help.
Ebbie, thanks for the idea. I'll see what I can come up with from there. Might be better than what I'm now using. bet