about the album (Kee-yam)


Following her recognized 2021 release Ghost Bones, Singer-songwriter Phyllis Sinclair now leans toward an ancient Cree mantra in this her latest release Kiyam (pronounced Kee-yam). This word, she says, has offered her people the ability to cope, and overcome difficulties, safeguarding their emotional, spiritual, and physical survival through cultural incursions and deals gone wrong. Loosely translated kiyam means “let it be” in her Cree language. She explains that while kiyam means let it be, it does not condone, nor excuse any disruption, offence or collapse. Rather, she says , kiyam means that for the moment we are willing to turn and face another direction while we stabilize to explore workable solutions. It’s a pause to reflect; a breath to restore. To Sinclair, the Cree word kiyam is not a statement of weakness, rather it is one of complete trust. In this Sinclair’s sixth album, she offers a vantage point that encourages the act of letting it be, turning doubt to done, and fear to finished.


With her story-telling prodigy and sensory proclivity, Phyllis Sinclair has spent her career painting vitality into darkly tinted, monochromatic stills of her people. Through her lens we begin see a vibrant, spirited people, where laughter is conversation, and listening an honour. In Kiyam, Sinclair continues that tradition. However, here she gives herself permission to expose her own vulnerabilities to illustrate the power of the Cree word. Tempered with a reminder that brittle bones easily break, she allows herself flexibility and latitude; room to play and freely express while never sacrificing the story-telling progeny of her ancestors. With varied tempos she eases out embroidered internal monologues extracted from threads that had been tucked away into hidden folds.


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Following her recognized 2021 release Ghost Bones, Singer-songwriter Phyllis Sinclair now leans toward an ancient Cree mantra in this her latest release Kiyam (pronounced Kee-yam). This word, she says, has offered her people the ability to cope, and overcome difficulties, safeguarding their emotional, spiritual, and physical survival through cultural incursions and deals gone wrong. Loosely translated kiyam means “let it be” in her Cree language. She explains that while kiyam means let it be, it does not condone, nor excuse any disruption, offence or collapse. Rather, she says , kiyam means that for the moment we are willing to turn and face another direction while we stabilize to explore workable solutions. It’s a pause to reflect; a breath to restore. To Sinclair, the Cree word kiyam is not a statement of weakness, rather it is one of complete trust. In this Sinclair’s sixth album, she offers a vantage point that encourages the act of letting it be, turning doubt to done, and fear to finished.

With her story-telling prodigy and sensory proclivity, Phyllis Sinclair has spent her career painting vitality into darkly tinted, monochromatic stills of her people. Through her lens we begin see a vibrant, spirited people, where laughter is conversation, and listening an honour. In Kiyam, Sinclair continues that tradition. However, here she gives herself permission to expose her own vulnerabilities to illustrate the power of the Cree word. Tempered with a reminder that brittle bones easily break, she allows herself flexibility and latitude; room to play and freely express while never sacrificing the story-telling progeny of her ancestors. With varied tempos she eases out embroidered internal monologues extracted from frayed threads that had been tucked away into hidden folds.

   what is Kiyam

Following her recognized 2021 release Ghost Bones, Singer-songwriter Phyllis Sinclair now leans toward an ancient Cree mantra in this her latest release Kiyam (pronounced Kee-yam). This word, she says, has offered her people the ability to cope, and overcome difficulties, safeguarding their emotional, spiritual, and physical survival through cultural incursions and deals gone wrong. Loosely translated kiyam means “let it be” in her Cree language. She explains that while kiyam means let it be, it does not condone, nor excuse any disruption, offence or collapse. Rather, she says , kiyam means that for the moment we are willing to turn and face another direction while we stabilize to explore workable solutions. It’s a pause to reflect; a breath to restore. To Sinclair, the Cree word kiyam is not a statement of weakness, rather it is one of complete trust. In this Sinclair’s sixth album, she offers a vantage point that encourages the act of letting it be, turning doubt to done, and fear to finished.


With her story-telling prodigy and sensory proclivity, Phyllis Sinclair has spent her career painting vitality into darkly tinted, monochromatic stills of her people. Through her lens we begin see a vibrant, spirited people, where laughter is conversation, and listening an honour. In Kiyam, Sinclair continues that tradition. However, here she gives herself permission to expose her own vulnerabilities to illustrate the power of the Cree word. Tempered with a reminder that brittle bones easily break, she allows herself flexibility and latitude; room to play and freely express while never sacrificing the story-telling progeny of her ancestors. With varied tempos she eases out embroidered internal monologues extracted from frayed threads that had been tucked away into hidden folds.


Phyllis Sinclair Music resides on Treaty 6 territory, the traditional home and gathering place of the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Metis, Inuit, Dene and Nakota Sioux. We acknowledge those peoples who shared, and cared, for these sacred lands since time immemorial to allow for our lives and livelihoods.

2024 ©Phyllis Sinclair Music

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