Ta'Kaiya Blaney, Sliammon, sings her environmental advocacy song, “Shallow Waters”
Concerned about the environmental risks posed by the proposed pipeline, Ta’Kaiya wrote the song, “Shallow Waters,” with her music teacher, Aileen de la Cruz. As the song was being written, the BP oil spill occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, giving the young activist performer’s project a sense of urgency. Greenpeace sent a CD to 350 Canadian politicians and officials at Enbridge, the Alberta pipeline company.
The result: Letters or emails of support from British Columbia’s premier and two members of Parliament; interviews with CBC Radio, Global News, North Shore News and the Vancouver Province; and an invitation by the five First Nations of the Yinka Dene Alliance to speak outside the annual meeting of Enbridge shareholders.
Ta’Kaiya has starred in three short films and a documentary since 2009. She was nominated for a Leo Award for Best Performance by a Female in a Short Drama, for her debut role as Shi-Shi-Etko, a girl who is being taken away from her home to attend a residential school.
Swinomish Chairman Brian Cladoosby was moved by the warning in her lyrics, “Shallow waters I can't see / The wondrous life God created to be / The tankers and pipelines keep coming through / I turned my head and so did you.”
“The Creator said you’d better listen to this 10-year-old girl,” Cladoosby said.
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wow how incredible so very talented
Magnifique !
It would be nice if the music did not overshadow her voice! She has a message to hear but it is hard to pull her words out of the sound! She has a wonderful message and voice!
Tear Tear..thank you for a beautiful song..
Just awesome that a child understands more than many adults, Beautiful and full of passion!
Your song was heard all the way to Sweden right into my heart.
I agree about the sound. Her voice and words are beautiful, but very difficult to hear over the music. I would love to hear this with the sound adjusted.
She's Remarkable
Amazing voice. Beautiful young lady. Beautiful song. If she comes out with a CD I will buy it. Is this song on CD now? If so how much and how do I get it?
She is sooo beautiful, and song very sad......can't stop crying............
I wish adults would listen, learn and make changes, start cleaning up their messes. Our children deserve better than what we are going to leave them
Beautiful child and voice and so sad what is happening to your waters.
WOW! Great message, Great Messenger!
What an amazing message from one of heaven's Angels!
Beautiful words, beautiful child, beautiful voice - well sung!