Document Type
Document
Publication Date
10-31-2025
Abstract
Oral history given to the Winnebago from the Algonquian Recounted by Tyler “Hųųcpįga” LaMere
The legend tells of how the song of Wasjįk (Rabbit) could not be silenced. One day, all the animal chiefs gathered to decide how to live and work together. As the council tried to start their meeting, they were interrupted by Wasjįk’s singing and dancing outside the lodge. Each time a chief went out to quiet Wasjik by force, they were unsuccessful. Kereju (Hawk) took his arm so he could not drum, but Wasjįk sang again and used his foot to drum. Hųc (Bear) took Wasjįk’s leg so he could not dance, but Wasjįk continued to sing. Finally, Šųkjąk (Wolf) took Wasjįk’s head, so he could not sing. But even this did not silence Wasjįk. When Caxšep (Eagle) went outside to fly Wasjik’s body far away, he noticed where the drumbeat came from. On that day, the animals across creation learned a valuable lesson: if there is a song in your heart, no one can take it away from you.
Tyler LaMere (Indigenous name “Hųųcpįga” translating to “Good Bear) is an enrolled member born and raised in the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (Bear clan) and descendant from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (Caribou clan). Tyler is a Two-Spirited aspiring musician studying a double degree program from University of South Dakota in Music Industry and Native American Studies with an emphasis in Language. On top of Tyler’s full time class schedule, they’re studying Hoocąk language through Hoocąk Academy and Ojibwemowin through the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Aanjibimaadizing online courses. Tyler’s career goals are utilizing contemporary digital music composition with their Indigenous languages and culture as an effort of preservation and revitalization of their Ho-Chunk and Anishinabe languages and cultures.
Recommended Citation
LaMere, Tyler, "Wasjik's Song" (2025). Open Music Education Resources. 1.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/musicoer/1
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Note on Materials: These materials are free to use and distribute. They were created by a team of culture bearers, composers, and music educators as part of an Arts Grant Project funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.