CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
ISSUE 106
SINCE 2002
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to circulation dept: Kildonan Place, RPO Box 43084, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R2C 5G7
Short Films Reveal Lockdown Stories in a Pandemic
Explore Indigenous Representation in Video Games
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SINCE 2002
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Indigenous Game Developers Are Creating New Media Narratives
CONTENTS ISSUE 106
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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SAY MAGAZINE Volume 19, Issue 6 SAY Magazine assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or in submitted material.
SAY Magazine publishes six times a year: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, as well as two special editions, including the annual Education Guide for Indigenous students. SAY Magazine is published by Spirit of Aboriginal Youth Inc.
Graphics, photographs, editorial content and other printed material are the property of SAY Magazine and may not be used without the written permission of SAY Magazine.
Mailing Address: Kildonan Place, RPO Box 43084 Winnipeg, MB Canada R2C 5G7
ISSN: 1707-3049 All copy copyright 2020 by SAY Magazine
E: info@saymag.com www.saymag.com
GST: 856627534RT0001
Publishers Dominick Blais and Kent Brown Editor-in-Chief Danielle Vienneau editor@saymag.com
This project has been made possible [in part] by the Government of Canada
Content Creator Terra MacPhail terra@saymag.com Contributing Editors Sarah Ritchie Theresa Peters Art Director Orli Gelfat - Orli G. Design
SAY Magazine acknowledges that we live in Treaty One Territory, at the crossroads of the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene Nations, and at the heart of the Métis Nation homeland.
Indigenous Creators Give Voice to Those Affected by COVID-19
9 Literature: Medicine Game 13 The Moose Hide Campaign Toward Cultural 14 Working Revitalization 16 The New Kwigwatsi Studio 20 Music Through 23 Reconciliation Song: Andrea Menard
24 Featured Photography Amplifies Indigenous 26 Artist Voices 27 Music Mentorship Program Travels in Turtle 28 Culinary Island with Chef Hughes Turns to 30 Entrepreneur Lessons from the Land
Ad Sales Megan Henry megan@saymag.com Terra MacPhail terra@saymag.com Printed in Canada Website and Social Media Sphere Media Agency info@spheremediaagency.com Submissions are welcome. Articles, letters, queries, etc. should be sent by email to the editor at editor@saymag.com. SAY Magazine assumes no responsibility for submitted material. Connect with us: www.facebook.com/saymagazine www.twitter.com/SAYMagazine www.instagram.com/say_magazine www.pinterest.ca/SAYMagazine
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Cover Story: Celebrate Winter Solstice with APTN in December
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The Frog Radio: New All-Indigenous Radio Station ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 3
Carolina East
Bebe Buckskin
Kelly Bad o
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Eastern O
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Celebrate the Winter Solstice with APTN!
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By Brittany Valcourt, Communications Assistant, APTN
he winter solstice is upon us, marking the longest and darkest night of the year. In belated honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, APTN invites you to illuminate the night with a unique adaptation of APTN Indigenous Day Live (IDL). From December 21-25, all APTN channels will broadcast the first-ever APTN Indigenous Day Live Winter Solstice celebrations from coast-to-coast-to-coast. IDL has been held on the Saturday closest to National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) since its inception in 2007. However, IDL 2020 was postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this, the network decided to transform its landmark summer event into a special pre-recorded winter celebration. In accordance with the most recent recommendations and policies from the federal and provincial health authorities, APTN recorded some of Turtle Island’s
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best talent in the fall of 2020 ahead of IDL Winter Solstice. Viewers across the nation will be able to join in the celebrations from the comfort and safety of their own homes. IDL has always brought together established and emerging Indigenous artists, and this year’s winter solstice edition is no different. Through five onehour broadcasts on APTN, these artists write our collective story, honouring past and present struggles, and paving the way for brighter days ahead. The winter solstice is a time of reflection, introspection and hope. In these tumultuous times, IDL Winter Solstice is a much-needed opportunity to reflect on the past year and to come together in celebration to usher in the new year. Keep reading (page 12) for more information on some of the outstanding artists featured in this year’s lineup. We can’t be together in person, but we can still celebrate in unison.
Broadcast Details:
From December 21-25, tune in to IDL Winter Solstice on all APTN channels: aptn n, aptn e, aptn w, aptn hd. The IDL Winter Solstice celebrations will be televised at 11 a.m. ET on aptn e/hd and 11 a.m. MT on aptn w. The aptn n broadcast will occur at 1 p.m. CT. The one-hour event will be repeated daily at 5 p.m. ET on aptn e/hd, 5 p.m. CT on aptn n, and 5 p.m. MT on aptn w. The televised broadcasts will be available for streaming on APTN lumi 24 hours after airing. Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate the winter solstice with APTN! Join the conversation on Twitter or Instagram by tagging your posts with #IDLwintersolstice. For more information and the complete IDL Winter Solstice roster, please visit indigenousdaylive.ca.
COVER STORY
IDL Winter Solstice Artists Shine Onstage and Offstage
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By Emelia Fournier, Communications Coordinator, APTN
his fall, the recording sessions of APTN Indigenous Day Live Winter Solstice brought together musicians of all stripes. Artists recorded in Winnipeg, Halifax, Montreal and remote locations in preparation for the broadcasts airing December 21-25 on APTN. Famed Newfoundlander Alan Doyle and Nova Scotian Carolina East shared the stage for their IDL Winter Solstice performance. East and Doyle had performed together in the past and were happy to be reunited. “To be able to team up with him now and perform in such a professional setting is amazing,” said East. “I wanted to have a cross section of the various genres of music we play to help with a grand celebration,” said Doyle. “I was also delighted to find a song that Carolina and I could sing together. She’s amazing after all!”
Doyle hopes to bring the energy of the stage to the screen. “I would love it if the songs led people to clap and sing along in their own homes. That’s what music did in my house when I was a kid. It brought everyone together.” East, who also performed at APTN’s Summer Solstice Concert 2020, was thankful to be included in the winter solstice celebrations. “For many years, I didn’t think I fit in anywhere, and APTN has accepted me as one of their own. It is always a pleasure to share the stage with such a talented and diverse group of people,” she said.
Bado. “In a way, [APTN Indigenous Day Live] is like celebrating with my brothers and sisters.” When she took the stage, Bado found she was able to deliver her usual exuberant performance. “It’s always great to have enough space to move and dance. The crew was the nicest, the makeup artists, the production staff, the camera operators… everyone! It was amazing,” she said.
Francophone musician Kelly Bado, who is performing at IDL for the first time, is also excited to be featured.
While the musicians performed, select works from Indigenous visual artists created a dynamic concert backdrop. Woodland-style artist Tehatsistahawi Kennedy’s artwork is paired with Bebe Buckskin’s IDL Winter Solstice performance.
“I was so honoured and blessed to be invited to share my music and my culture. The earth is what holds us together, so this invitation shows unity in diversity,” said
Kennedy is looking forward to having his work televised. “I do not think my artwork has ever been showcased on a broadcast before,” he said.
Bebe Buckskin ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 11
COVER STORY
ncers Ivan Flett Memorial Da
Kennedy reflected on the importance of the winter solstice. “In my teachings, this is the time when our mother the Earth takes a rest. We see that change in the land as everything slows down and grows cold. This season is significant to me because it provides us an environment to rest and reflect on our year— that is, of course, if we allow it to,” he said. APTN Indigenous Day Live is typically held around the summer solstice but had to be postponed. Concerts around the world were abruptly cancelled in March, which came as a shock to musicians everywhere. “I could not have ever imagined a scenario where every stage in the world went dark on the same day, but here we are. Waiting. All of us in the gig and gathering culture [are] waiting for the green light to turn back on,” said Doyle. Concert broadcasts like IDL Winter Solstice have provided a socially-distanced performance outlet for musicians. While the pandemic has been uniquely challenging for musicians whose livelihoods and lifestyles revolve around touring and performing, it has also been an unexpected boon for creativity and family time. “Spiritually, I have been both darkened by the days forced off the stage and enlightened 12 12 || ARTS ARTS && ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT
by the forced time at home with my family. Funny how a curse can make you feel blessed,” Doyle added. Kelly Bado’s latest album’s recording was delayed due to the pandemic, but she took the time to improve her lyrics and work on her online presence. “Essentially, I’ve been doing all the things that we are too busy to do because we are on the road or performing,” she said. Bado has also been staying creative with her 14-month-old son. “He loves playing with my instruments. We sing together sometimes— or at least he tries to in his own language.” Despite the stress of raising a newborn and supporting his family during a pandemic, Tehatsistahawi Kennedy has been able to delve deeper into his own creativity. “I have actually seen an increase in the success of my artistic career throughout this pandemic. I’ve come to learn that the vision of an artist is not limited to the ability to look outwards and depict the world around them; it also includes the ability to look inwards and gaze upon their own being as a source of inspiration,” he said. “Because of this realization, I have improved on the intricacy of my artwork and the subjects I choose to illustrate. The improvements to
myself as an artist in the past months were only made due to the pandemic.” Some artists, like Carolina East, have preferred to look outward for creative support. “Creativity has been a struggle during the pandemic, but I have an amazing team that always keeps me on task and encourages me to keep creating content. Most of my close friends are all involved in the music industry, so all our dinner parties (within our bubble) have always resulted in some great music,” she said. East hopes to carry the support she’s received through the screen. She seeks “to inspire people of all ages to reach for their dreams no matter the challenges that may be ahead. And let’s face it... 2020 has taught us that life can be HARD, but we can always figure it out and achieve great things.”
Tune in to APTN Indigenous Day Live Winter Solstice December 21-25 on APTN. Visit aptn.ca/schedule for your regional broadcast times. Broadcasts will be available on the APTN lumi streaming platform 24 hours after airing on TV.
SOCIAL ACTION LEADERSHIP
Anti-Violence Campaign Urges Action at Time of Crisis
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he moose hide pin, a small patch of tanned hide pinned to a shirt front, is becoming a familiar symbol of anti-violence efforts on Turtle Island. It’s worn by supporters of the Moose Hide Campaign, a growing movement working to end violence towards women and children. The focus is on engaging men and boys, but is inclusive of all Canadians.
The Moose Hide Campaign was founded nearly 10 years ago by an Indigenous father and daughter. While hunting on their traditional Carrier territory near the Highway of Tears in Northern British Columbia, where so many Indigenous women have been murdered or gone missing, they brought down a moose and decided to use its hide to address this tragic reality. Now, over two million pins have
been distributed, starting conversations and inspiring communities across Canada and the United States to take action. This year, the campaign’s message has never been more important, said co-founder Raven Lacerte. “We’re seeing alarming levels of domestic violence and a growing mental health crisis as a result of the pandemic. Now is the time for us to support each other and take action together to end violence, and everyone can play a role.” As the campaign ramps up its engagement of Indigenous communities, schools and universities across the country, it is also preparing to host its most ambitious event yet. On February 11, 2021, thousands of supporters will come together online for a day of action and fast for an entire day in order to bring awareness to growing violence. One of the most important things people can do to help end violence against women and children is to promote gender equity, healthy relationships, and positive ideas of masculinity by speaking out against genderbased violence.
February 11 2021 Thousands of supporters will come together online for a day of action to bring awareness to growing violence.
You can be part of the change. On February 11, 2021, show your commitment and take part in the national online Moose Hide Campaign Day. To get involved and find out more, go to moosehidecampaign.ca.
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