Waawaate / Ghost Dancers
An original composition by Genot Picor
Waawaate is the opening track on La Compagnie's album A Health to La Compagnie and represents a meaningful bridge between the French-Canadian and Indigenous musical traditions of the Great Lakes region. The title comes from the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) language, reflecting the deep historical connections between Indigenous peoples and the French-Canadian voyageurs who traveled and settled throughout the Great Lakes.
The Recording
Waawaate was completed in three takes and recorded at SDA Studios (Steve Adams), New Baltimore, Michigan:
- First take: The Native American flute melody was recorded, establishing the haunting foundation of the piece
- Second take: Steve Adams laid down additional percussion and special effects. Steve is a fine percussionist and La Compagnie's live performance audio engineer
- Third take: A constant drone note was recorded to support and enrich the melody
The Musicians
Steve Adams -- Additional Percussion and Special Effects (SDA Studios, New Baltimore, MI)
Cultural Significance
The history of the Great Lakes region is one of cultural exchange and shared experiences. For centuries, French-Canadian voyageurs and Indigenous communities lived, worked, and made music alongside one another. The voyageurs adopted canoe routes, place names, and traditions from the Anishinaabe and other First Nations peoples, while sharing their own music and customs in return.
Waawaate honors this shared heritage. The piece weaves the sound of the Native American flute -- one of the oldest instruments on the continent -- with modern recording techniques, creating a contemplative work that bridges past and present, Indigenous and European traditions.
Through pieces like Waawaate, La Compagnie explores the common threads that connect the diverse cultural traditions of the Great Lakes, celebrating mutual respect, shared history, and the belief that music transcends boundaries.
Listen to Waawaate
Waawaate is available as Track 1 on the album A Health to La Compagnie, available for individual download ($1.25) or as part of the full album.