Shpiming Nangokaa (world premiere, commissioned by the OM)

Fascinated from childhood by traditional Anishinaabe music, she received classical training at the University of Toronto, the Hochschule für Musik in Munich, and the Centre Acanthes (France). The daughter and granddaughter of survivors of the Indian residential school system, Assiginaak participated in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Her creative work draws from the history and culture of the First Nations, while also reflecting her commitment to environmental issues and the natural world that inspires them. 

Shpiming Nangokaa (In the Sky There Are Many Star Beings), receiving its world premiere, was commissioned by the Orchestre Métropolitain.

Discover this work through the composer’s own words.

When the sky at night is clear, throughout the changing moons and seasons, we can see a multitude of star beings shining their guiding lights down upon us. Looking up at the night sky at a very young age was fascinating for me. It made me realize that we are not alone, we are always being watched over, and there are important life messages that the star beings tell us. 

Our ancestors always looked up at the sky to know when to hunt, when to gather foods and plant medicines, how to learn about our doodemag (clans), how to honour and respect Shkakmigkwe (Mother Earth), how to honour and respect one another. Our Elders also tell us how we come from the realm of the stars and return there after this physical life. This way of knowing explains that our relatives are always with us, just living in a different realm high above us. 

This orchestral work spans the seasonal changes, beginning in spring, progressing through summer and autumn, and returning to winter. Stars embody singing voices, with nangoonse (tiny star) opening with a song and the chorus of other star beings joining in. Some stars are newly born and welcomed by the earthly voice of Mindemoyenh (Old Woman) singing a lullaby. Other stars collapse and give way for more stars to form. Baashkanang/Gwiingwa (Shooting Star or meteor) moves through the sky with its long streaming tails following their fleeting pathway through the cosmos. Other stars embody multiple guises, such as Ningabii-nang-kwe (Evening Star Woman) who transforms into Waaban-nang (Morning Star) with the coming of dawn, but who is also known as Ikwe-nang (Woman Star, known as Venus in Western cultures) for guiding and protecting women. 

Among Anishinaabek, we tell of someone’s age in the physical world by the number of winters one has survived. We follow a lunar calendar with thirteen moons, similar to the thirteen plates on the back of the turtle, and with 28 outer edge scales encircling these which represent the days between each moon, known to us as Nokoomis, who is our grandmother. The many stars (nangokaa) guide us on this lifetime journey until our return to the skies high above (shpiming), where our ancestors wait for us. There is a thin veil of separation between life on earth and life in the night skies, each acting as a mirror of the other. Within the darkness we find the illuminating light of hope and guidance. 

This work honours the memory of Gete-Miskwaadesi (Old Painted Turtle), a dearly loved family member who tragically died far too young in 2024. We continue to seek justice for his suffering and untimely death, but we also know that his own spirit is now watching over us from the skyworld.