National Indigenous History Month recognizes the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Canada. SaskMusic will acknowledge this month in various ways, June 2022:
SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY EVENTS
We will be supporting and promoting National Indigenous People Day events taking place in Saskatchewan on and around June 21. (Details will be updated here as they become available.) We are specifically sponsoring National Indigenous People Day programming by:
- Wanuskewin Heritage Park, near Saskatoon, June 21 https://wanuskewin.com/
- Saskatoon Indian & Métis Friendship Centre, Victoria Park Saskatoon, June 21 https://www.simfc.ca/ (Silver Sponsor). Event details available at: https://www.facebook.com/events/539296544475639
NOTE: Due to safety concerns posed by flooding & the risk of lightning in #YXE, the #RockYourRoots Walk for Reconciliation on June 21 has been cancelled. See: https://bit.ly/3y8yyHS - Qu'Appelle Valley Friendship Centre in support of their one-day pow-wow at traditional Treaty Four Grounds in Fort Qu'Appelle, https://www.facebook.com/quapellevalleyfriendshipcentre
- Regina National Indigenous Peoples Day event, City Square Plaza, Regina, June 21 https://www.facebook.com/events/837685180957232/
Additional events taking place include:
- Traditional Pow Wow, Western Development Museum, North Battleford, June 21 https://wdm.ca/event_manager/powwow/
- Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Regina https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2022/june/01/celebrating-national-indigenous-history-month-at-the-rsm
- Government House, Regina https://governmenthousesk.ca/events/national-indigenous-
- Poundmaker Performance Festival, Poundmaker First Nation https://www.saskculture.ca/events/1549
- Back to Batoche Days, Batoche https://www.saskculture.ca/events/1556
- George Gordon First Nation Powwow, George Gordon Educational Centre https://www.facebook.com/groups/879499778733321/
- Kawacatoose First Nation Powwow, Kawacatoose First Nation https://www.facebook.com/kawacatoosefirstnation/?ref=page_internal
- National Indigenous Peoples Day, Prince Albert https://www.facebook.com/YWCAPrinceAlbert
- National Indigenous Peoples Day, Swift Current https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1538974971703152642
- National Indigenous Peoples Day & Urban Treaty Celebration, Yorkton https://calendar.yorkton.ca/Default/Detail/2022-06-21-0730-National-Indigenous-Peoples-Day-amp-Urban-Treaty-C
- We'll add more as we see details announced
nistam athisthiniwak osihchikīwiniwāwa
First Peoples Creating
We are grateful to Knowledge-Keeper and educator Eleanor Hegland from Lac La Ronge for suggesting words from the Cree language with which to describe our artistic focus this month. nistam athisthiniwak osihchikīwiniwāwa (First Peoples Creating) will showcase creators from many styles of music.
We recognize there are many distinct and beautiful Indigenous languages spoken in Canada, many of which are endangered. "The Cree language has the largest speaker population of all of Canada’s First Nations languages with an estimated 75,000 speakers, including dialect groups ranging from Quebec to northeastern British Columbia and into the Northwest Territories. Approximately 20,000 of these speakers live in Saskatchewan, where Cree ranks second only to English as the most commonly spoken language of the home - Cree bands making up over half of the province’s seventy-four First Nations." - Indigenous Saskatchewan Encyclopedia
Our nistam athisthiniwak osihchikīwiniwāwa graphics have been created by Gabrielle Giroux, Encore Graphics.
1. INTERVIEW SERIES: Artists and Industry
We are preparing a series of interviews showcasing and celebrating music artists and industry people creating/working in any genre of music. Submissions from artists and industry to be interviewed are now closed. Interviews will be shared on SaskMusic's social media accounts beginning in late June.
Please click here for details and links to the series.
We are pleased to welcome artist LJ Tyson as coordinator/interviewer for this project.
LJ Tyson is a Folk-Pop artist from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. LJ Tyson is of Cree/Metis heritage and identifies as bisexual. Identity has become a major part of his artistry and sound. LJ uses his music to connect with diverse audiences and bridge the gaps that disconnect us. The raspy uniqueness of LJ’s voice and the blend of Folk-pop he produces make him a must-hear for music lovers.
2. GUEST PLAYLISTS
We welcome four guest curators who will be creating unique and personal playlists celebrating Indigenous music artists with ties to Saskatchewan. Thank you to curators Aurora Wolfe, Berk Jodoin, Patrick Moon Bird, and T-Rhyme.
Please click here for detalis on the playlists and curators.
3. FEATURED TRACKS
Watch our socials for featured tracks by Indigenous artists throughout the month! If you are an artist who has a recent or upcoming single or music video to promote, please let us know via this form.
4. NATIONAL INDIGENOUS HISTORY MONTH RADIO SHOW
We are also putting together a one-hour radio show for 90.5 CFCR Saskatoon Community Radio and a two-hour radio show for 91.3FM CJTR Regina Community Radio featuring local music and interviews.
- CFCR Thursday June 23, 630-730pm
- CJTR time TBA
Our National Indigenous History Month programming is made possible in part through the financial support of FACTOR Canada (the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings), the Government of Canada, and Canada's private radio broadcasters.
Questions? Contact SaskMusic by email or call toll-free in Sask, 1-800-347-0676.
