Applause for the Concert for Attawapiskat

A message from Nipissing University president, Lesley Lovett-Doust

The evening of Saturday, January 14, was amazing. The Nipissing theatre was absolutely full, and we had great representation from our community and local leaders for Many Voices: Exploring Northern Realities and Supporting Attawapiskat. The message was clear; there is massive talent among First Nations and Aboriginal peoples and they are enriching the world.

We began with greetings from friends and supporters… Chief Couchie, of Nipissing First Nation welcomed all of us to the traditional Territories of the Nipissing First Nation, mentioning her own time as a teacher, a few years back, in Attawapiskat. Mayor Al McDonald brought warm greetings and support for our students from the City of North Bay, then our Member of Parliament Jay Aspin spoke of the Federal Government’s special interest and commitment to their partnership with First Nations and Aboriginal peoples, looking forward to the upcoming direct discussions between the Prime Minister and First Nations leaders. I then welcomed everyone to the university, and sent our heartfelt support to the people of Attawapiskat, community to community, and our appreciation that the evening before us was an initiative of our Aboriginal students, which makes us especially proud.

All of the artists who performed on Saturday night contributed their talent for free; the sound system was brought in and run by Kyle Selle (from One Stop Solutions); I have never seen the Nipissing Theatre so full of such high quality sound (although I am getting a little old to be as close as I was to an amplifier!)

The lights were set up with the help of our university staff, Allan MacAskill (a Drama teacher at West Ferris High School) and Dilip Patel (from the Capitol Centre); the ever-changing atmosphere they created onstage was beautifully coordinated with the music and short vignettes of commentary from our students in between sets.

It is always hard to single people out, when the whole event represents an amazing team effort, but there are some who deserve a special mention.
Gil Pharand, of our office of External Relations and Advancement had contacted our Executive Director of Aboriginal Initiatives, Laurie McLaren to ask what Nipissing might do… he organized the sale of tickets, and made sure that press releases about the concert made it to the newspapers and airways! A very professional job!

Christine Stefanizzi in the Aboriginal Initiatives Office, and coordinator of Community Service-Learning worked to recruit the performers, and helped our student leaders to develop the program.

Mair Greenfield, a placement officer for our Criminal Justice program was very supportive of the initiative, and helped recruit several of the talented professionals who volunteered their time and talent. Indeed since the artists and technical professionals were all volunteers, every cent raised through sales of the tickets will go to the community, through the organization True North Aid.

The audience included many who had travelled a long way to express their support for the people of Attawapiskat. Some came from First Nations communities in Manitoulin Island, Timmins, Quebec, and many points in between; the North Bay area, our Board of Governors, staff, faculty and students were well represented.

The show was emceed by one of our students in our Bachelor of Science in Biology program; Chett Monague from Beausoleil First Nation.
Holly Cunningham, a graduate of Nipissing’s Fine Arts program, was first on stage. Accompanying herself on guitar, she treated us to soaring music, a voice of great clarity and beauty, and words with strong and meaningful messages—we’re all waiting for the release of her upcoming album!

Then Brian Bellefeuille (third year Mathematics Major), from Nipissing First Nation, delivered commentary to the audience on some issues facing First Nations and how from his perspective, communities and students are affected.

The next act was Digging Roots, an outstanding group who rocked the house! They received a Juno for their recent album, “We Are”, produced with innovator Kinne Starr, they also received a Native American Music Award and an Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award for that work.

Digging Roots was followed by Zach Koostachin, a third-year Nipissing student majoring in the Criminal Justice degree program, from Attawapiskat First Nation. Zach spoke in very moving terms about the conditions for learning on the reserve; the school at Attawapiskat has been out of commission for some time. Zack’s family had made the difficult decision to leave the community for a few years in order to make sure their children had a high school education and were well prepared for college and university, and a career.

Then Derek Miller and his band came on stage. Derek comes from Six Nations of the Grand River community; he is Onondaga/Mohawk from the Haudenasaunee Confederacy and told us that a lot of his energy of late has been going into building a state-of-the-art recording facility --Jakasa Studios at Six Nations near Brantford. Derek has received Juno awards, the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, The First Americans in the Arts Awards, the Indian Summer Music Awards and the Native American Music Awards.  He has released a strong portfolio of records, and has toured extensively and internationally.  Some of you may recall his performance when he played onstage at the grand opening of the Vancouver Olympics; a special favourite of mine is his duet with Willie Nelson, which you can hear at: http://radio3.cbc.ca/ - /artists/Derek-Miller

More information on Derek Miller is available here: http://derekmiller.ca

More information on Digging Roots is available at:http://www.diggingrootsmusic.com

To date, the concert has raised $4,500, and additional donations can be made by visiting https://secure.nipissingu.ca/donations/default.asp - just write Attawapiskat in the "Other" area.  All gifts are tax deductible.

You have special opportunity to hear the encore from Derek Miller and Digging Roots, performing Keith Secola's classic "NDN Kars" here. Enjoy (and we hope you'll donate)!

Offering the helping hands of students to lead and to raise awareness on First Nations issues in this country is an act that Nipissing University is proud to support.

Lesley Lovett-Doust
President, Nipissing University