Announcing the first ever reissue of Wapna'kik: The People of the Dawn, by Mi'kmaw ensemble Sons of Membertou. Wapna'kik: The People of the Dawn is available for pre-order now, and will be released digitally and on CD on February 21st. Wapna'kik: The People of the Dawn is available for preorder here.

The reissue marks the first time this landmark album, which was instrumental in revitalizing Mi'kmaw music and culture upon its initial release in 1995, will be available via streaming and digital formats. The album has been remastered and resequenced, with new liner notes by bandleader Darryl Bernard that trace the music’s origins throughout Unama'kik (also known as Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada) and its growing impact since its first release thirty years ago. This reissue was produced in close consultation and collaboration with many members of the broader Membertou community.

The release is the first album in Smithsonian Folkways’ new series Sound Communities, produced in collaboration with the Centre for Sound Communities at Cape Breton University. The series will highlight underrepresented voices and communities residing in what is now widely called Canada.