Mi’kmaq writes Alaska song

Sharing a piece of home; Corner Brook Mi'kmaq musician composes song for Alaskan celebrationThere’s an aura of Newfoundland rooted in a song composed for Alaska’s 50th Year of Statehood Celebration.

For one, the composer of the piece is Paul Pike, is a native of Corner Brook, but of greater significance is his feelings of “home” instilled into the way Alaskans feel about their fast homeland.

Pike, a Newfoundland Mi’kmaq who moved to Alaska in 1990 to fulfill a career in the music industry, said it was an honour to be asked to compose a song for the occasion.

“It says, basically, that they appreciate what it is I do and that I am not only known as a Newfoundland Mi’kmaq artist, but someone that is contributing to the cultural fabric in Alaska as well,” Pike told The Western Star via telephone.

“The Greatland” was composed for the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra and Anchorage Chorus, and was performed in front of about 1,500 people at the Dena’ina Convention Center on Jan. 2.