For good or ill, many indigenous people now celebrate Christmas. And there’s no denying that the music can be quite beautiful. Many Natives agree, and they have adapted the songs to fit their languages, to captivating effect. Last week ICTMN highlighted some carols in Woodland Cree, Ojibwe, Navajo, Cherokee or Arapaho. Today we bring you Cree, Lakota, some more Navajo and a bonus track in Kalispel Salish, some of them complete with sing-along lyrics.
RELATED: Christmas Playlist: 5 Classic Carols in Native Languages
Oh Come All Ye Faithful, sung in Kalispel Salish by Jana Mashonee
Little Drummer Boy in Cree sung by Laura Burnouf
Hark the Herald Angels Sing, sung by Jana Mashonee in Lakota
What Child Is This, sung in Cree by Falynn
Silent Night, with subtitles, sung in Navajo by Elizabeth Bryant & Virginia Graymountain
Oh Holy Night, sung in Cree by Falynn
Lastly, a carol list wouldn’t be complete without We Wish You a Merry Christmas, sung in Navajo by the Fruitland Gospel Trio
Sing along! And Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.