Album Notes

Che oke’ ten (Paul Wagner), Native American flutist, drummer/singer and traditional storyteller of the Saanich (Coast Salish) tribe, shares the beautiful songs and stories of his ancient northwest coast Sissiwiss ("sacred breath"/"sacred life") spirituality, in cultural presentations and ritual and public performances, in the United States and abroad. Based out of Seattle, Washington, Che oke’ ten has worked with some of the Pacific Northwest’s great artists such as Eyvind Kang, Bill Frisell, Gina Sala and Johnny Moses.

In the ancient ways of the Sissiwiss spirituality, it is understood that all songs are prayers; that our Mother Earth and Ancestors are always speaking to us, gifting us songs. It is through this way that Che oke’ ten receives his flute songs, with visions of healing and prayer for all relations (tree people, animal people, human people).