"Wakȟáŋtȟaŋháŋ Hótȟaŋiŋ Pe" by William Linthicum-Blackhorse (they/he), performed by Luther College Norskkor. This performance was recorded during their spring concert on April 23rd, 2023, in the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
A Note From the program:
Dr. Blackhorse has informed and endorsed Norskkor’s performance of this concertized arrangement. Norskkor presents it as they have suggested with regards to instrumentation and staging. About cultural sharing, they offer these thoughts on his website which were reiterated in conversations with us earlier this term: “Good education is incredibly important for the success of any society, but it requires breaking free from the bonds of the traditional “I told you, so it’s a fact” mindset. Therefore, I spend much time researching and validating all the information that I am able through relatives and trusted sources, in order to bring you the most factual and honest collection of free educational resources possible. As with any cultural issue, there will always be controversy and differing opinions. I speak only for myself and do not represent anyone other than myself. I only strive to bring art into the world that reflects who I am as a human-being; the decedent of a Welsh immigrant, a Latino transplant, and a displaced Indigenous American, I am of all three collectively. There is
no reason to segregate myself into one existence when the kaleidoscope of life offers a mosaic of beauty that everyone/anyone can and should embrace. We are all human-We are all one race. When are we going to start acting like it?”
Norskkor prepared this piece through conversations with the arranger. To learn more about Dr. William Linthicum Blackhorse or their MOSAIC/Pure Art approach to cultural appreciation in music, please visit www.linthicumblackhorse.com/ In this same spirit of appreciation and reconciliation, we acknowledge that The land on which Luther College stands has been home to the Ioway, Sauq, Fox and Dakota people and their ancestors. As part of the neutral ground created by the US government to control the movement, lives and livelihood of native peoples. This land was home to Winnebago Ho Chunk during their forced displacement from Wisconsin. The dispossession of the Ioway, Sauq, Fox, and Dakota and the forced migration of the winnebago ho chunk people was motivated by the interest of settlers such as those who founded this town and this college. The winnebago during their residents here addressed the land as grandmother the tribe’s orator, Waukon Decorah, believed his people were extended the blessing of this place by the great spirit saying ‘we did not make it nor could we make it such pretty and fair a land.’ Please honor this history and the ongoing connection of the descendants of these early residents to this place. Please also honor and care for the land, water and resources as these residents did. Like a loved and loving elder to whom we owe.
Luther College Norskkor, conducted by Mark Potvin “Wakȟáŋtȟaŋháŋ Hótȟaŋiŋ Pe'' by William Linthicum-Blackhorse. © copyright 2019 by Hal Leonard LLC. Used with permission. All Rights Reserved.
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