The Sound of Reconciliation
It Is Ours- a song written, performed live and eventually recorded by local musician, pastor and school teacher Darryl Dozlaw in response to reading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Summary Report- is to be released on a thematic, three-song vinyl EP for Orange Shirt Day (September 30) 2019.
It Is Ours tells the story of a Canadian settler who, having grown up in a town that has been the location of a Residential School, comes to understand where his privilege has come from and who has paid for it. The EP, recorded with a diverse group of musicians (7 indigenous and 7 non-indigenous), provides a lovely sonic picture of reconciliation. Engineered by newcomer Jazmyn Durocher, the record features musical collaboration with many celebrated Saskatoon musicians including Lancelot Knight, (Nightswitch), Krystle Pederson (Nightswitch), Wyndham Thiessen, Anna Bekolay (The Whiskey Jerks), Shayne Lazarowich (All Mighty Voice), Shane Buhler (Massey and the Fergusons) and others. However, the presence of Indigenous flute, hand drum and vocables performed by Plains Cree flute player and singer Darrell Paskimin- as well as an original Paskimin powwow song performed by a circle of singers organized by Paskimin himself- make this a recording that transcends genre descriptors. Perhaps this is what nu-folk music sounds like, moving forward: a music created by a heterogenous people actively pursuing reconciliation together for the inspiration and encouragement of others pursuing the same.
All of the tracks were recorded at Recording Arts Institute of Saskatoon(RAIS), with all performances and production for the record being donated so that all proceeds from this recording could go to the SPS Indigenous Ensemble- a mentorship program for indigenous youth who seek to explore and embrace their cultural identity through traditional singing, dancing, regalia, performance and the teachings that give these deeper meaning.
While the EP will be available online for streaming and download through darryldozlaw.bandcamp.com, as well as Apple, Spotify, Google Play etc, the vinyl will be available through The Better Good, Glitch Novelties, McNally Robinson, and at merch tables around Saskatoon this Fall. Copies can also be ordered by contacting the composer directly at darryl.dozlaw@me.com.
