Working Together

Sk’aadGa Naay Gaaxa SGaalang 

Ah hu-hu-hu-hu

Ee-hee yay ee-hee yay

Ah hu-hu-hu-hu

Ee-hee yay ee-hee yay

Ah hu-hu-hu-hu

Ee-hee yay ee-hee yay

Ah hu-hu-hu-hu

Ee-hee yay ee-hee yay

Ah hu! Ah hu! Ah hu! Ah hu!

Ah hu-hu-hu-hu

Ee-hee yay ee-hee yay

Gud an aanuu itelgaa iijing ee-hee yay

Gud ad hlGang.gulxa yay ee-hee yay ee-hee yay

Id gidGalang daagwiiyah ee-hee yay ee-hee yay

Id ‘waadluxan sk’aadGa dii ee-hee yay ee-hee

Ah hu! Ah hu! Ah hu! Ah hu!

Ah hu-hu-hu-hu

Ee-hee yay ee-hee yay

Id ‘waadluxan guudang.ngaay ‘laa ee-hee yay ee-hee yay

Id ‘waadluxan kaatl’lxa dii ee-hee yay ee-hee yay

Daanxan yahguudang dan’ad yay ee-hee yay ee-hee yay

Gina kunGasda kaatl’lxa dii ee-hee yay ee-hee yay 

Ah hu! Ah hu! Ah hu! Ah hu!

Ah hu-hu-hu-hu

Ee-hee yay ee-hee yay

Ah daaGahl iisxii diigaa yay ee-hee yay ee-hee yay

Ah hu-hu-hu-hu

Ee-hee yay ee-hee yay

Hu!

Translation:

Here we are together

Working together

We’re strong children

All of us learning

All of us happy

Here we come

With the greatest respect

Here comes the future (the children of the future)

Here comes the future (what comes next/tomorrow)

“Hu!” historically is an expression to challenge for gambling- a long time integral part of Hiada culture. The expression has been used in this song in the vocables (chants) as a challenge for all of us to work together while respecting our individuality.

This song was composed by Nika Collison for the children of Sk’aadGa Naay Elementary, translated by the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program and Vonnie Hutchingson. This song was brought out to the public and became legally the Sk’aadGa Naay Song (in the Haida way) when it was sung and danced at the school feast on June 19, 2009. It is with permission that Gidin Jaad, Erica Reid uses this song in her education practice to spread the message of the importance of working together for the success of our students.