We Are Water

The 2021 surprise Weckuwapok performance on Acadia National Park’s Schoodic Point, that momentarily distracted Mainers from the pandemic chaos, was a collaboration between renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and seven Wabanaki musicians to uplift Indigenous voices through music and nature. Part of the intimate audience was secretary of the interior, Deb Haaland, who was the first Native American ever to be confirmed as a cabinet secretary. 

“Yo-Yo Ma had asked me, ‘What would be meaningful to Wabanki people? How do we create something that will cause transformation?’ I said, ‘Play your music at sunrise because that’s part of our culture,’” said Newell. 

Creating music on the land and waters that have been home to Wabanaki People for over 12,000 years was a precious moment only witnessed by a handful of people. It felt meaningful to bring the essence of the moment to a larger audience, even if the venue was moved inside to the city. 

“This 2025 performance will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, built because of this time and place,” says Petrin. “It bridges music and a social cause with this genius who is a musician and humanitarian.” 

The social cause that flows throughout the performance is protecting the essential resource that is water. The planet is toiling between scarcity and overabundance directly affecting every living thing. 

“Humans are 80% water. We are water,” said Newell. “Water has always served as an indigenous connector for trade. In modern times, water became how we separate ourselves and create boundaries. We need to remember that water connects us.”

At the heart of sharing Wabanaki Stories is bringing the performances to schools across the state. Interaction with music from a young age is an important aspect of socioemotional learning, especially when the students see their own story created with compassion and empathy. 

Pertrin shares when her own daughter was at a school performance of the Royal Drummers of Burundi and happened to be next to a girl who had moved from the East African nation. “It was the first time the child had seen her culture represented since moving to Maine. She knew all of the music, songs and names of the drums.”

Shared experiences through music, dance, performance and art allows for community building at the core. It is important to support creation from grassroots movements to large scale productions so we stay in touch with where we all came from. 

“Regardless of how we got here, we are all here together,” said Newell. “We need to protect our resources and water for future generations. We can affect the future starting today.”