The songs on this album are the combined efforts of five people from two tribal nations.  It is dedicated to family members of each of the five that have recently passed on.  Irvin Waskewitch and his brother Brian are Plains Cree on the Onion Lake Reserve located between the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada.  Brian’s wife, Delia is also a Plains Cree from the Little Pines Reserve in Saskatchewan.  Kenny Merrick Jr. and his brother Tyson are Dakota Sioux from the Spirit Lake reservation in Fort Totten, North Dakota.  

This album initially came about at a time when all of the above were gathered together and began talking about and remembering the loss of loved one’s they had each lost.  The Waskewitch family lost their father Gus Waskewitch to cancer in 1997.  Delia lost her mother Violet in 1991 to heart disease.  Kenny and Tyson lost their father Kenny Merrick Sr. to diabetes in 2003. These songs not only go out in remembrance to Gus Waskewitch, Violet Bull and Kenny Merrick Sr. but are also dedicated as a memorial to departed family and friends of all people, everywhere.

Song Notes:

 “Touch of Love” is the title track of the album and features Delia on acoustic guitar and solo vocals.  The song contains several ideas at once due to many things happening at the same time.  It was written at the time of the bombing of the Twin Towers in New York City on September 11.  This was also the date that her father was to have triple by-pass surgery but was delayed due to the tragedy.  Delia states that during one of the lowest points in recent American history, people all over the world stepped forward with compassion, support and love.   

“Nature’s Heaven” is a song Delia heard while in a near death, drowning experience she had when she was 8 years old.  This is the music and words she heard in the midst of her experience.  “Nature’s Heaven” is a peyote song, which is a prayer in song.  This prayer is asking God to watch over all children that are crying out for food, love a future and role models.  It is dedicated to all children, everywhere.

“Farewell Song” was written by and is sung by Irvin.  It is sung in Cree, which is Irvin’s first language.

“Mariah’s Song” is a song that that Irvin used to hear his mother sing as a child.  He sings this song in remembrance, love and respect to her but also dedicates it to all our mother’s.

All the remaining songs on the album are round dance songs.  The hand drum on round dance songs represents the heartbeat of mother earth.  Round dance songs are very versatile.  There are round dance songs for birthdays, memorials, thanksgiving, etc.  It is believed that dancing and singing help fight off disease and prolongs life.  Indian people are in effect are living healthy when they participate in these events.