In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) is proud to partner once again with major media outlets and radio stations throughout Canada on A DAY TO LISTEN 2022. Tune in Sept 30th, 6AM – 6PM local time.
The first A DAY TO LISTEN took place on June 30, 2021, following the public announcement that the remains of 215 children were buried at the site of the former Kamloops Residential School. With more than 540 radio stations participating, spanning different markets, regions, and formats, A DAY TO LISTEN leveraged the power of radio to inspire people throughout Canada to move reconciliation forward in meaningful ways. Programming was aired again on September 30, 2021, the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
This year, we are highlighting the voices and stories of Indigenous Peoples around the theme, ‘Messages of Hope’. This will centre on four areas:
Cultural Reclamation
Language Resurgence
Art Practice
Land-Based Learning Narratives
As we continue to move forward on the path toward reconciliation, we aim to inspire hope for future generations of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, DWF aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Our goal is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples throughout Canada.
Discovery is the beauty of music. It reveals itself in layers. Such is the evolution of Celeigh Cardinal. With a confident voice and boundless energy, Cardinal owns a stage, connecting deeply with her audience through humour, passion and love. In 2020, Cardinal achieved one of Canada’s highest musical accolades, a JUNO Award for Indigenous Artist of the Year. She also received two Western Canadian Music Awards nominations, including Indigenous Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. With two full-length albums completed and her third release in the works, Celeigh is quickly becoming one of the great Canadian voices that make up the fabric of this country’s roots music scene.
Celeigh Cardinal will host the afternoon show for A Day to Listen 2022. She is a Cree Metis singer/songwriter originally from Grande Prairie, Alberta but currently based in amiskwaciwâskahikan, also known as Edmonton.
In reflecting on what National Day for Truth and Reconciliation means to her, she says:
“My fathers family is Cree and they hail from northern Alberta. When they were children, my father and my aunts and uncles were separated and I was put into foster care. Just as my father wasn’t brought up with his culture, neither was I. I have felt between two worlds for most of my life…navigating carefully, mediating as a default, and never feeling a full expression or even knowledge of who I am. However, through this journey, I’ve found music to be a tool that I can use to express myself. I’ve also learned that walking between two worlds can sometimes be a blessing, because I hope to be a bridge that can bring parts of these two worlds together. I’ve found that storytelling through music has been very healing for me. ‘Song by the Supermoon’ is about growing while still being grounded by your roots, and where you come from.”
This song appears on Celeigh’s Juno award-winning album Stories from a Downtown Apartment. Celeigh also references some songs from friends during this broadcast:
GR Gritt’s Ancestors
Digging Roots’ Cut My Hair
Celeigh touches on cultural appreciation, over appropriation using a friend’s art & business as an example:
“A beautiful part of reconciliation is pretty simple – supporting Indigenous creatives and their stories, their businesses, and their art. l feel larger than life when I step on stage because of the outfit or the jewelry that I’m wearing. I could go on about Indigenous fashion for days – but I want you to recognize that your financial support of Indigenous creators can literally put food on their tables and help their families flourish. I want to share a little story about a high school friend of mine – Meghan Weeks. It’s been so inspiring to watch her create with traditional materials like deer hide and salmon skin, and she’s built a business out of this called MDW Jewelry. I love watching Indigenous people draw inspiration from the practices and traditions of their people. Like her website says: ‘My work reflects teachings from the matriarchs in my family, childhood memories, Cree humour and my continued healing journey to stop the cycle of intergenerational trauma.’”
“I have a buffalo head ring made by her that I’ve worn in multiple music videos and photoshoots. Watch for it in the video below for When All is Said and Done.”
Celeigh will also talk about her cover of The Tragically Hip’s Ahead by a Century:
“The music video was a homemade creation of assorted videos sent to me by artists, families, and even an entire grade 3 class. I included videos from both Indigenous, and non-Indigenous people, straight and queer, people from all different walks of life. It was a giant celebration of community and joy. When I put the call out to people on social media to be a part of that project, it was a reminder to me that when you look to your community, they will in fact show up! I thought it was fitting to share my cover of this song, because it’s a parallel really for the work the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund is doing, including everyone in the process of reconciliation. Before Gord Downie passed, he enlisted the help of his audience to amplify the reconciliation in this country and as an Indigenous person, I was quite moved. This is what I had in mind when I chose to record it.”
William Prince
JUNO Award winning Singer/Songwriter
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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William Prince approaches the big questions with humility and curiosity. Prince’s influences and references span the pantheon of classic outlaw country singers, baseball, and the great beyond, all of which shape his approach to songcraft and offer a masterclass in skilful simplicity.
Prince’s JUNO Award winning debut Earthly Days introduced the songwriter’s poignant philosophy and rich baritone to the world. His breakout song “Breathless,” found audiences worldwide. Prince followed up with Reliever, released February 2020. For this album, Prince began with a single word, Reliever, which informed a collection of that explored how peace is found. Prince surprised fans with a second new album in 2020. Gospel First Nation, released in October, is a “21st Century Northern Interlake Country Gospel” collection that tells stories of family and faith in the age of grief. The album explores Prince’s own family tree, the places and music that shaped his childhood, and explores the extremely complicated relationship of faith and colonialism with grace and empathy.
Prince’s new album, Stand in the Joy, produced by Grammy Award winning producer, Dave Cobb, is slated for release in the spring of 2023. Prince’s momentum has continued to build, with each new album adding depth and dimension to an exceptional body of work that has received international acclaim. From national network television appearances, top tier media coverage including NPR Tiny Desk, LA Times and Rolling Stone, and high-profile performances at major international festivals, William Prince has become one of today’s most respected and celebrated songwriters.
William Prince will host the morning show for A Day to Listen 2022, broadcasting from 6am – 6pm at your local radio station. During his broadcast, you’ll hear him touch on some of his music, and the music of others. He mentions his partnership with the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack fund and reflects on the opportunity to be part of Secret Path Live with friends and musicians like Buffy Sainte-Marie, Serena Ryder, July Talk and more. You can revisit the project live at the link below where he sang Gord Downie’s song ‘Son.’
You’ll hear William speak about his song 7 during this broadcast, too. He says, “If you hear no other song from me today, go listen to this one.”
It’s inspired by his upbringing on Peguis First Nation, where he graduated from Peguis Central School. Years after graduating, his high school asked him to write a graduate anthem and he turned to the Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings for some inspiration: Love, Wisdom, Respect, Truth, Humility, Honesty, Courage.
During the broadcast, you’ll hear William touch on cultural appreciation through the inspiring story of his cousin Destiny Seymour, and her business, Indigo Arrows. She is an Anishinaabe interior designer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She graduated with her master’s degree in Interior Design from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba. She worked at a local architecture firm in Winnipeg for over 10 years as their interior designer before starting her own design business in 2016. On her website, https://indigoarrows.ca/, she shares:
“For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples in Manitoba, including my Anishinaabe ancestors, created beautiful patterns to adorn their pottery collections and host of bone tools. Most of the surviving pieces are held by museums now, but I think the world needs more than exhibition- we need these patterns in our homes provoking thought; we need them bridging gaps; and, we need them inspiring our loved ones. The Indigo Arrows line picks up where my ancestors left off.”
William will also speak about his friend, Indigenous comic Paul Rabliauskas, who he says is a true ambassador for taking your small community story to the world stage.
Catch Paul in his new sitcom Acting Good where he stars as himself: a witty but sensitive comic who returns home to the fictional Grouse Lake First Nation after a botched attempt to move to the big city – it’s inspired by his community of Poplar River First Nation.
William also touches on a community member he’s a huge fan of: Winnipeg’s Christa Bruneau-Guenther. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and a proud member of Peguis First Nation, Christa has spent nearly 20 years refining her cooking skills and expanding her knowledge of Indigenous foods. She is a home cook turned restaurant owner whose passion and creativity are woven into the fabric of Feast Café.
Christa started Feast with a focus on community and a goal of becoming a pillar in the West End. She wants each visitor to experience modern dishes rooted in traditional First Nation foods while celebrating the spirit of her culture. In the four years since opening, Christa’s recipes have been featured in publications such as Canadian Living, Chatelaine, and on Food Network Canada.
William highly recommends stopping-in if you’re ever in Winnipeg!
Meet our Speakers & Artists
David Robertson
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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DAVID A. ROBERTSON (he, him, his) was the 2021 recipient of the Writers’ Union of Canada Freedom to Read Award. He is the author of numerous books for young readers including When We Were Alone, which won the 2017 Governor General’s Literary Award and the McNally Robinson Best Book for Young People Award. The Barren Grounds, the first book in the middle-grade The Misewa Saga series, received a starred review from Kirkus, was a Kirkus and Quill & Quire best middle-grade book of 2020, was a USBBY and Texas Lone Star selection, was shortlisted for the Ontario Library Association’s Silver Birch Award, and was a finalist for the 2020 Governor General’s Literary Award. His memoir, Black Water: Family, Legacy, and Blood Memory, was a Globe and Mail and Quill & Quire book of the year in 2020, and won the Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award for Non-Fiction as well as the Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award at the 2020 Manitoba Book Awards. On The Trapline, illustrated by Julie Flett, won David’s second Governor General’s Literary Award and was named one of the best picture books of 2021 by the CCBC, The Horn Book, New York Public Library, Quill & Quire, and American Indians in Children’s Literature. Dave is the writer and host of the podcast Kíwew, winner of the 2021 RTDNA Praire Region Award for Best Podcast. He is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and currently lives in Winnipeg.
Kyla Pascal
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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Kyla Pascal is a Métis, Black woman born and raised in Amiskwaciwâskahikan ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Edmonton, Alberta). Over the years Kyla has worked with a number of non-profit organizations focusing on anti-oppression, advocacy, and community-building. Her experiences and interests are centered around Indigenous solidarity, sustainability, community health, and food justice. The goal of her work is to build more resilient, just, and healthier communities. Kayla has also been featured in various media outlets such as CBC and featured on an Indigenous podcast called (Land)ing Back, where she shares about her entry point into climate work through food, land justice work, how climate spaces need to be actively integrating care work and the importance of finding the balance between our community work and our personal wellbeing. Kyla Pascal currently lives and studies on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil Waututh, and Squamish Peoples (Vancouver). She currently works at Alderhill Planning Inc. as an intern, is a co-editor of Hungry zine, and is a Master of Planning candidate with the School of Community and Regional Planning at UBC.
Terri Cardinal
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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Terri Cardinal (she, her) who’s Cree name is wapekihêw iskwew, is from Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 6 Territory. Terri is currently on leave from MacEwan University, where she is the director of Indigenous Initiatives. She is working on a project with Blue Quills University as the Indian Residential School Coordinator for the next year. Terri has previously worked in First Nations communities developing and implementing culturally appropriate programming for Indigenous families while mentoring front line workers in the Health and Social Work field. Terri acknowledges her learning and connection to Cree Worldview from the Blue Quills University where she completed her first two degrees (BGS & IBSW). She completed her clinical MSW specializing in trauma with the University of Calgary and is currently pursuing her PhD in Social Work. Terri also received the 2020 Esquao Award for her work in Indigenous Education. In addition, she delivers nêhiyaw trauma informed practices workshops for front line workers. Terri sits as a member of the Social Work National Indigenous Accreditation Board and the external Indigenous Advisory Council for Edmonton Public Schools. She chairs the Indigenous Advisory Council for MacEwan University and has led Indigenous focused lectures internationally.
Diane Roussin
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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Diane Roussin is a passionate community leader committed to the pursuit of pimadaziwin (the good life) for all families and children. Her in-depth knowledge of Indigenous issues and solutions flow directly from her strong sense of identity and worldview. She is a proud member of Skownan First Nation and currently lives in Winnipeg. Diane is currently the Project Director of the Winnipeg Boldness Project, an ambitious social innovation initiative seeking to create large-scale systems change for children and families in the Point Douglas neighbourhood. She has worked tirelessly, primarily in Winnipeg’s inner city, for initiatives that promote Indigenous People’s values and ways of knowing and being. She has led many projects and organizations including as Executive Director of the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, as Co-Director of the Community Education Development Association, and as Coordinator of The Centennial Neighbourhood Project. Diane is adept at leading collaborative processes that involve numerous cross-sector partners and stakeholders, tenaciously seek solutions to barriers, and pursue tangible outcomes for the benefit of the community. Diane holds both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work Degrees.
Becky Han
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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Han who grew up in Arctic Bay, Nunavut now resides on Treaty 6 territory where she works from home. Believing that music is a crucial educational tool, she composes most of her songs in Inuktitut. Being active on social media, Han also uses her platform to share her learnings about the Inuit culture. Musically, Han resists labelling her sound with genres like pop or indie, instead considering it “modern,” providing a different option to the folk songs that are more widely available for Inuktitut-speakers. In 2021 she adapted her award-winning song “Qaariaq” into the children’s book The Bee, which was published in both English and Inuktitut. Although “Qaariaq” and its accompanying book were for children, most of Han’s music is actually written for adults, acoustic songs with themes of life, love and struggles. In 2020 after requesting donations for donations to the Inuujaq School in Ikpiarjuk in 2020, Han’s tweet caught the attention of actor Ryan Reynolds, who got in touch and collaborated with Canada Goose to donate more than 300 new parkas and additional winter apparel
Laurie Hermiston
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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Laurie Hermiston is a dynamic Indigenous leader with 20 years of experience in program, project and policy design, community engagement and the creation and implementation of strategic plans and organizational development. Working primarily through her collective, Kwewok Nakii, which translates to “Women’s Work” in Anishinaabe, her primary focus has been on building successful projects with Indigenous peoples and the allies that want to walk alongside them.
Her expertise in Indigenous relations, partnership development and the coordination, management and evaluation of initiatives to support community need is an asset to any project that she works on. Laurie is a successful grant writer with a proven track record of generating funds of over one million dollars for diverse clients as well as her own projects. Her ability to take an idea and move it into action is one of her greatest gifts, often being referred to as a “fire starter” by elders she has worked with.
Some of Kwewok Nakiis projects over the last few years have included; The City of Toronto, The Province of Ontario, The University of Toronto, Architecture Firms, Indigenous communities across Canada, numerous corporate and non-profit organizations and grass-roots initiatives supporting community capacity development, Two-Spirit Organizations, and local, provincial and national Foundations. Laurie’s recent work has been focussed on developing Dashmaawaaan Bemaadzinjin, an Indigenous food sovereignty and catering group in Toronto that uses food as a way to support community.
Salia Joseph
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Salia Joseph is from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Snuneymuxw First Nation’s on her father’s side and is British and Jewish on her mothers. Salia is a graduate from the First Nations and Indigenous studies program from the University of British Columbia. Salia is a Squamish language learner and is the executive director of The Sníchim Foundation which is a Sḵwx̱wú7mes language and culture non-profit. In addition to her language work Salia is the co-owner of Host Consulting Inc. which focuses on public art and elevating the designs and work of Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleilwaututh artists. Salia is very passionate about where she comes from and is and learning constantly about what it means to be Sḵwx̱wú7mesh. Salia is a community organizer and facilitator dedicated to Indigenous rights, culture and politics and passionate about youth and women advocacy work.”I think about my future, the future of my family, my community, it continually comes back to language”
Elder Dr. Duke Redbird
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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DR. Duke Redbird, Elder, Poet, Human Rights Activist, Educator, and Artist. Dukes’s most recent recognition (2022) is an Honorary Doctorate of Law from his Alma Mater, York University where he also holds a Masters degree for Environmental Studies and Political Science. Duke Redbird is also featured on Native North America which received a Grammy Award nomination for best historical album in December 2015. Duke recently recorded his poem The Power of the Land with The Sultans of String and is currently recording Sweet Alberta and Our Mother the Earth with them. In 2020, Duke was awarded a Life Time Achievement Award by the Toronto based performing arts organization JAYU in recognition of his influence through his art on Human Rights. In 2020 Duke delivered a keynote address to MIT on the growing influence if Indigenous Thinking and Practices on the world of technology and higher learning. Inspired by his address, MIT announced the upcoming publication of COLLECTIVE WISDOM 2022 funded by the Ford Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation. He occupies the position as Elder with the following organizations: Myseum Toronto, The Toronto Biennial, Summer Works, the Toronto Arts Council’s Banff Leaders Lab, Ontario Place, and is Artist in Residence with the Urban Indigenous Education Centre at the Toronto District School Board.
Peatr Thomas
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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Peatr Thomas is a multidisciplinary Ininew and Anishinaabe self-taught, full-time visual artist from the Pimicikamak and Miskooseepi territories located near the heart of Turtle Island. A Youth Facilitator of many years he is sharing passed down knowledge, traditional teachings, culture and the healing process in creating visual forms of art. Peatr had a collaborative floor mural with Mike Valcourt and Kenneth Lavallee in the Winnipeg Art Gallery for their Boarder X exhibition in 2016, he won the 2019 Manito Ahbee 48-Hour Film Challenge with Skate Break and created a 1600 square foot mural for Synonym Art Consultation’s 2019 Wall-to-Wall Mural Festival. Skate Break is included in the Video Pool Media Arts Centre’s Showing Initiatives II screening program curated by Jenny Western. He has also done countless art programs with youth across Canada, sharing his artistic skills, life experiences, and culture.
Waubgeshig Rice
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Waubgeshig Rice is an author and journalist from Wasauksing First Nation. He has written three fiction titles, and his short stories and essays have been published in numerous anthologies. Waub got his first taste of journalism in 1996 as an exchange student in Germany, writing articles about being an Anishinaabe teen in a foreign country for newspapers. Back in Canada, in 2014, he received the Anishinabek Nation’s Debwewin Citation for excellence in First Nation Storytelling. His most recent novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow, was published in 2018 and became a national bestseller. He graduated from the journalism program at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2002, and spent most of his journalism career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a video journalist and radio host. He left CBC in 2020 to focus on his literary career. He lives in Sudbury, Ontario with his wife and two sons. His novel, Moon of the Turning Leaves, will be published in 2023.
Stephanie Harpe
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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Stephanie Harpe is an International Advocate for MMEIP Murdered or Missing and Exploited Indigenous Peoples, Murder Attempt, Exploitation Survivor and Family member who was a part of public testimony for the National Inquiry. Keynote Speaker for United Nations, traveled 50 Indigenous communities in western Canada and hosted MMEIP support group for 3 years. Completed 2 provincial action plans for Alberta for the National Action Plan, Grassroots works with oppressed people on human rights, safety and security. Developed 16 topics for Wellness and Safety Super clinics, lived experience coaching. Invited to London, Dubai and Malaysia for the largest youth conferences in the world to speak the truth of how Indigenous people have to survive their own country called Canada. Tedx Talk titled Indigenous Suffering and Survival to Success. An award nominated Singer and songwriter for Stephanie Harpe Experience (S.H.E.), Actress and former casting agent for local to Hollywood productions.
Mimi O’Bonsawin
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Mimi O’Bonsawin is a contemporary roots singer-songwriter from Northeastern Ontario. Through her rhythm and story-driven songs, Mimi embraces the beauty of the land, all the while yielding to her Franco-Ontarian and Abenaki roots. In her music you will find sounds from the forest, uplifting melodies and introspective lyrics weaved with pop sensitivities and acoustic instruments. The layers of percussion and surprising harmonies make you feel the music rather than just hear it.
Her 5th release, and first instrumental album, Fiddleheads & Ferns, was produced and recorded in their Log Home Studio. Mimi’s album , Elle Danse, was nominated for Best New Artist & Best EP at the Trille Or Awards (2020) which recognizes Francophone Artists outside of Quebec. She continues to compose music for film & TV through Nagamo and has had music placed on CBC’s Trickster Ontario’ Highlands Documentary, Precious Leader Woman Docu-film, APTN’s Mohawk Girls, Showtime’s Ray Donovan. Mimi also composed the lyrics for Music Monday’s National Anthem for 2022. In 2019, she was awarded Best Pop Album at the Indigenous Music Awards.
Mimi shares her passion for songwriting and art through workshops with youth in schools across Canada
Johna Hupfield
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Johna is Anishinaabekwe belonging to Wasauksing First Nation by Georgian Bay. Mom to five, partner, daughter, sister, auntie, cuzzin and Indigenous Educator for language and cultural revitalization. She works with the Near North District School board teaching Anishinaabemowin and Indigenous Studies.
Colin Van Loon
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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Ahnahktsipiitaa* (Colin Van Loon) originally hails from Piikani aka Brocket AB and spent most of his formative years in Lethbridge AB. After years of experience in the film industry as an actor Ahnahktsipiitaa made a decision to become a filmmaker, entering the
SFU School of Contemporary Arts BFA Film Production program. Ahnahktsipiitaa works within the film industry commonly as an AD, but most notably spent a year working as the assistant to Alejandro González Iñárritu on the feature film: The Revenant. Ahnahktsipiitaa has been involved with the Talking Stick in many capacities whether it is screening personal films (The Fast, 2014), serving as the Director and Curator of REEL RESERVATIONS: Cinematic Indigenous Sovereignty Series and the additional upcoming Reel IndiGenuity youth film series. When not on a production Ahnahktsipiitaa works on building Blackfoot Nation Films, directing personal projects such as working in collaboration with Section 35 (Kill The Mascots, Save The People Ad campaign) and The Snotty Nosed Rez Kids (Skoden, Clash Of The Clans Music Videos). Ahnahktsipiitaa currently works and resides on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tseil-Waatuth peoples.
Stewart Gonzales
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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l am Sempulyan, my late mother is Norma Campbell (Musqueam), my late father is Harvey Tsialten-t Gonzales, my late maternal grandmother is Amy Teresa Paull (Squamish), my late maternal grandfather is Sylvester Campbell (Musqueam). My late paternal grandmother is Ethel Lucy Jerome (Tsimshian), my late paternal grandfather is Johnny Kwestanaxen-t Gonzales. My late maternal great-grandmother is Theresa Charlie and my late maternal great-grandfather is Dan Paull (both are Squamish). My late paternal greatgrandmother is Emma dChatatolt-t Tsialten (Squamish) and my late paternal great grandfather is Peter Gonzales (Maule). Semplúyan was elected as a General Councillor for the Squamish Nation during the September 2021 election.
GR Gritt
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
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Juno Award winning G.R. Gritt pulls effortlessly from the past to create soulful futurisms. With their new sound that elegantly weaves the melodies using vocals, guitar and electronic elements. they create both intimate and anthemic music that would fit in a folk club, a dance club and anywhere in between. G.R. Gritt is a Two-Spirit, Transgender, Francophone, Anishinaabe and Métis artist.
Their music serves as one of these beacons of connection for all who come near it. Welcoming yet truthful, they reclaim space through songs that show that intersectional identity is expansive and not to be divided into parts. By exploring the emotional and cultural core of their heritage as a non-binary, queer, Indigenous artist they create new space and encourage others to do the same.