In Conversation with Dr. Duke Redbird

Duke Redbird, reciting 'Old Woman' 1960s

CBC Radio: Unreserved (Indigenous trailblazers: legendary musicians, up and coming acts carving a path in the arts)

Re-post from CBC Radio: Unreserved

Earlier this year, Rosanna was invited to the MEGAPHONO Festival in Ottawa, to host a panel called Indigenous Trailblazers: Carving Paths Through Tradition at the National Arts Centre. 

On the panel, legends like Willy Mitchell, Alanis Obomsawin, Dr. Duke Redbird, and Leland Bell, sat alongside up and coming musicians like Jeremy Dutcher, Leanne Simpson, Cody Coyote, and Melody McKiver. 

They were there to talk about music, the arts, politics, and issues facing Indigenous communities today. 

Many of the artists later performed onstage at the National Arts Centre, as part of the Native North America Gathering concert, which was a collaboration with music historian Kevin Howes, who in 2014 released the compilation, Native North America (Vol. 1). 

This week on Unreserved, we bring you their stories and music. 

Link HERE

*Photo by Kevin Howes (aka Sipreano, Voluntary In Nature)

Native North America Gathering (Ottawa, Feb. 9, 2018)

*More information and tickets available here... PEACE

NOW Magazine (Native North America Gathering)

So humbled to see my friend Elder Dr. Duke Redbird and the host of CBC's Reclaimed, Jarrett Martineau, on the cover of NOW Magazine Toronto in a feature on Indigenous creative expression and the upcoming Native North America Gathering on Tuesday, August 8th at Trinity St.-Paul's. Tickets still available at Soundscapes, Rotate This, and via Ticketfly. PEACE

Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto hello

WINNIPEG FOLK FEST 2016 FEAT. A SELECTION OF NNA V1 TRAILBLAZERS

Dr. Duke Redbird

Through the NNA V1 project, I was able to connect w/ the legendary Dr. Duke Redbird. Like all of the artists featured on the compilation, he is an inspiration to me. It's been a honour to spend some quality time w/ Duke in person over the last couple of years. Listening to his poetry and words give me hope and a greater understanding of the world in which we live. Below is one of Duke's poems, written three years ago during a tenure at OCAD in Toronto. It contains a universal message for all! PEACE

THE POWER OF THE LAND

by Duke Redbird

In every Nation, in every Clan,
The Elders to a person.
Whether woman or a man,
Shared a common truth,
One Truth to understand,
The Spirit of the People
Is Equal
To the Power of the Land.

The Mother of us all
The sacred Mother Earth,
Is constant in her giving,
And perpetual in her birth,
In meadows and in fields,
Where weeds and flowers grow,
She conceives the summer showers,
And spawns the winter snows.
In forests and in mountains,
She gives the birds that fly,
Every type of wing,
Then coaxes the wind to join,
In harmony, when they begin to sing.
In brooks and streams,
And rivers as they flow,
She generates the dreams
And makes the fires glow.
And in every creature,
Whether large or small
She buries gems of wisdom
In them all,
And in every grain of sand,
She plants the knowledge,
Of the Power of The Land.
And those that honour,
Her creations,
And acknowledge her grand design,
She gives the templates,
Of the sacred,
And the patterns of the divine.
And then with certain knowledge,
This to understand,
That the spirit of the people,
Is equal,
To the Power of the Land.

Native North America at Plug In ICA w/ Shingoose, David McLeod, and Sipreano (August 5, 2015)

Album aims to give Indigenous trailblazers overdue recognition (Globe and Mail re-post)

Laura Beeston

The Globe and Mail

Published Sunday, Aug. 02, 2015 12:00PM EDT

The success of Native North America (Vol. 1), a seminal compilation of nearly lost aboriginal folk, rock and country music from 1966-85, is being celebrated Aug. 5 at Winnipeg’s Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art. Album curator Kevin Howes, a Vancouver-based record archeologist, curator and DJ renowned for uncovering undocumented Canadian music history, is taking part in a discussion alongside indigenous singer-songwriter Shingoose. The event will also feature screenings of the documentaries The Paradox of Norval Morrisseau and The Other Side of the Ledger, the latter a critical examination of Hudson’s Bay Co.’s treatment of aboriginal peoples. “I think it will symbolically be an interesting and dynamic evening,” Howes says, noting that it’s taking place on the roof of the gallery, which has a direct view of HBC’s flagship store on Portage Avenue. “The relevancy of the messages in these songs, with their substance, depth, culture and soul [are] still very timely today,” he continues. “It’s resonating with people because so little has changed … and because there is a desire to appreciate, preserve and share this culture.” The compilation, issued by Seattle’s Light in the Attic Records, was long-listed for the 2015 Polaris Prize and aims to give Canada’s indigenous trailblazers some long-overdue recognition. It has proved popular – the album is going through its second print run.

*Re-post from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/album-aims-to-give-indigenous-trailblazers-overdue-recognition/article25803130/

Shingoose and Duke Redbird

*Since the release of Native North America (Vol. 1): Aboriginal Folk, Rock, and Country 1966-1985 last November, my life has been filled w/ many positive twists and turns. I've been pushing as hard as I can to raise awareness about this project, its era, and the still pertinent music contained within. This is a true labour of love and I appreciate all of the kind words and vibrations that have come my way. Thank you! It's quite the trip to think that when I found my first original 1975 copy of Shingoose's Native Country 7" EP (whose "Silver River" is featured on NNA V1) over 10 years ago, that I'd be sitting on a Toronto patio garden w/ its creators, Curtis Jonnie (aka Shingoose) and Duke Redbird and discussing music, life, and people. Joined by 'Goose's son and NNA V1 artist Eric Landry, we were all blessed to hear Duke share a new poem about the residential school system. Considering that our ears were still ringing from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report from the day before, his passionate and truthful words touched our hearts and souls profoundly. Hands down, I've never heard such a dynamic and affecting speaker as Duke Redbird. It was so cool to hear old spars 'Goose and Duke bounce ideas and riff off of each other as they have done as collaborators for so many years and to have them present at our NNA V1 gathering later that evening along w/ the daughter of the dearly departed Morley Loon (*more to come on that soon). As for what's ahead, only time will tell, but I have a feeling that this story is far from over... PEACE

(MOR) Montreal and Toronto

*This has been another mind-melting trip!@#$%!!! It feels so good to hit the road and link w/ people from all walks of life. Once again, I see that we are all connected. There was a day of research at an Inuit cultural centre in Montreal, the first outerprovincal performance from SEEKERS INTERNATIONAL at Mutek (WOW!@#$%!!!), and tomorrow, the second Native North America gathering in Toronto featuring Eric Landry (see pic above). I've heard through the grapevine that none other than Curtis Jonnie (aka Shingoose) has arrived from Winnipeg and will join us for the event as a guest of honour alongside his old spar Duke Redbird!@#$%!!! I am humbled yet again... What will the future bring? My mantra is "Good things ahead..." PEACE

DUKE REDBIRD (NATIVE COUNCIL OF CANADA)

Duke Redbird LIVE and DIRECT

this is the day...

NNA V. 1 gathering (Toronto)