Ociciyankinkta ca he wauwelo

"I have something to tell you"

The Coyote Invocation Song (Šunkamanitu Wicakopi) has always moved me. I would say it is my favorite Lakota song and a song I have sung at many gatherings, conferences and ceremonies. It is a song of power … and ‘power’ is a word I do not like and thus use sparingly.

I first heard the song sung by Leksi Albert White Hat. Before singing the song he first told us the story of how ‘he heard’ the birth of the song. You see, the name of Coyote (Sunkamanitu) is never mentioned in the song … the song was created and sung by Coyote themselves a long time ago after a particular event.

On an extremely cold and windy day a starving group of Lakota were walking on the prairie. Near death from their travails they were met on the path by Coyote. The people stopped and begged Coyote for help, “Please help us. We are starving and our children are freezing to death.” Coyote heard their plea and immediately ran to an old friend, a buffalo that was old and weary. Coyote explained the plight of the Lakota and asked buffalo if he would surrender his life for the people? Buffalo thought for a moment and then agreed to give up his body so that his relatives would live.

After the Lakota took the buffalo in a good way, using all the meat for food, the hide as a blanket to warm the children, and all the bones for tools they gave thanks to Tunkasila, the buffalo and the Coyote. The people then asked Coyote, “Why would you and Buffalo help us so much?” Coyote smiled in near bewilderment and said, “ We are relatives and I love you. I will always help you…all you need do is call me … in particular sing that song you just sang and I will come, under the moon or under the sun.

-photo by Lakota Phillips

Šunkamanitu Wicakopi

Kola miye ca he wauwelo,

Kola miye ca he wauwelo

Wanmayanka yo, wau welo

Cannunpa wan yuha wauwelo

Ociciyankinkta ca he wauwelo

Wanmayanka yo, wau welo

Kola miye ca he wauwelo,

Kola miye ca he wauwelo

Wanmayanka yo, wau welo

Wakan najin miye ca he wau welo

Kola miye ca he wauwelo

Wanmayanka yo, wau welo

Kola miye ca he wauwelo,

Kola miye ca he wauwelo

Wanmayanka yo, wau welo

Hanye wi kin iyohlateya he

Ociciyankinkta ca he wauwelo

Wanmayanka yo, wau welo

Kola miye ca he wauwelo,

Kola miye ca he wauwelo

Wanmayanka yo, wau welo

Anpa wi kin iyohlateya he

Ociciyankinkta ca he wauwelo

Wanmayanka yo, wau welo

Kola miye ca he wauwelo,

Kola miye ca he wauwelo

Wanmayanka yo, wau welo

Ociciyankinkta ca he wauwelo

Wanmayanka yo, wau welo

Coyote Invocation Song

My friend, it is I, I have come

My friend, it is I, I have come

Look upon me, I have come

Through this sacred pipe I have come

I have something to tell you, that is why come

Look upon me, I have come

My friend, it is I, I have come

My friend, it is I, I have come

Look upon me, I have come

My spirit subsists here, that is why I come

My friend, it is I, I have come

Look upon me, I have come

My friend, it is I, I have come

My friend, it is I, I have come

Look upon me, I have come

Here beneath the moon of the night

I have something to tell you, that is why I come

Look upon me, I have come

My friend, it is I, I have come

My friend, it is I, I have come

Look upon me, I have come

Here beneath the daylight's sun22

I have something to tell you, that is why I come

Look upon me, I have come

My friend, it is I, I have come

My friend, it is I, I have come

Look upon me, I have come

I have something to tell you, that is why I come

Look upon me, I have come

Over the decades of singing this song I have witnessed what people might call miracles. I have had children report seeing a ‘big dog’ enter the room when I sing the song or a big dog licking their face, I have witnessed college aged students experience a coyote standing next to them or leaning on them asking ‘What is it that you seek from me?’ And, I have seen the coyote enter the room during ceremony and assist us with healing the purpose who has requested assistance.

In these challenging times I’m finding Coyote to be ever present and ready to assist as we ask for help for The Mother and her children. These old songs do have power when used correctly and with sincere and focused intent.

I know this a repetitive teaching for many of you if not most of you. But this song is very important now. Very important. We need this being in our lives.

Mitakuye Oyasın