Today, on Good Medicine with the Good Medicine Songs Members Jonny Williams, Kevin Wright, and Holly Arntzen.….

We discuss how the Good Medicine songs are nourishing a land that is lonesome for language.

The Good Medicine Songs project team, led by Sto:lo Elders and singers, crafts bilingual songs in both the traditional Sto:lo language of the Fraser Valley, British Columbia, and English. These songs are designed to unite children from diverse backgrounds in singing together.

Their initiative beautifully demonstrates the transformative power of song and storytelling in preserving and revitalizing language and culture.

Our conversation today revolves around the Good Medicine Songs project, which aims to keep language alive through music. 

They discuss their backgrounds and how they got involved in the project. They share their favourite songs and the impact of singing in the language. We also touch on the school music program and the importance of sharing the songs with children. The participants express their gratitude to everyone who has supported the project and discuss their plans for the future, including recording a new album.

Remember: 

• “The land is lonesome for the language.”
• “Singing in the language is a way to connect with and honour the land and ancestors.”
• “There’s a life spirit in everything.”

Visit www.ArtistResponseTeam.com/GoodMedicineSongs for complimentary song downloads, audio glossaries for pronunciation, a teacher’s handbook, a student guide with stories and lyrics, and videos featuring lyrics displayed on screen.