Talented Indigenous artists sing out at music festival fundraiser
By Kelly Anne Smith
NIPISSING FIRST NATION—Kelly McLeod-Shabogesic gave a friendly greeting. “Heyaaii you made it!” to Geneviève Couchie as she walked close to the stage. “Relax a bit. Jodi’s gonna sing a few more songs.” McLeod-Shabogesic, the organizer of the Anishinabek Educational Institute (AEI) Music Festival Fundraiser, was referring to soulful Jodi Taylor and Randy Chum.
McLeod-Shabogesic was beaming with the success of the musical fundraiser. As the Promotions and Recruitment Coordinator at the Anishinabek Educational Institute, she had watched people streaming through all day.
“We are the Anishinabek Educational Institute and we offer post-secondary programs. Fifty percent of the funds raised will go towards students who are under financial stress for purchasing textbooks. For the other fifty percent, we’re going to offer to one of our First Nation operated schools to go either towards athletics or cultural language.”
The festival volunteers have been awesome says McLeod-Shabogesic.
“Every single person singing has volunteered. Volunteers are helping with every thing around the event and Nipissing First Nation waived the fee. The music system was half price from Long and McQuade Musical Instruments. And donations flew in for the penny sale. Wrightway Sportswear donated a Nipissing First Nation Little NHL jersey for the silent auction.”
Asked about how she was able to book such great acts for the AEI Music Festival like the Chief himself, McLeod-Shabogesic said with a big laugh, “Oh, he’s my baby brother.”
When asked how she was able to get busy Deejay NDN here to play, she laughed again and said Ian Campeau is her cousin.
On stage, Geneviève Couchie’s violin playing perfectly accompanied the voice and guitar playing of the Chief of Nipissing First Nation. Couchie is the Communications Officer for Nipissing First Nation Administration.
At the microphone, Chief Scott McLeod introduced Gen.
“She’s going to wow you with her violin playing.”
Both wowed with their talents and musical skill. Their covers included: Helpless by Neil Young; the Wallflower’s 6th Avenue Heartache; and the Barenaked Ladies – Lovers in a dangerous time.
Chief McLeod praised the folks behind the event.
“Here is a plug out to the Anishinabek Educational Institute—for all the hard work they do in helping Indigenous students find their way through the education system and to make healthy career choices to get the education needed to continue on that good road. So a shout out to all the volunteers and the staff at the AEI for putting this on. There is power in education.”
On stage next was Deejay NDN aka Ian Campeau, the co-founder and former member of the music group A Tribe Called Red. Campeau looked relaxed in his home community of Nipissing First Nation with wife Justine and their daughters close by.
“I’m happy to be here.”
Campeau is busy with many projects on the go.
“I’m working on a few different podcast ideas. I’m working on a potential TV show. I’m working on some albums. One is facilitating an album for other artists. And I’m working on music which is fun and interesting.”
The family man is now also dedicated to farming.
“I’m working on the farm. I’ve got eleven acres with the family. So that takes up most of my time. I’m trying to figure out how to grow as much food as I can to give away to as many people as we can.”
Campeau is also a motivational speaker and is active on social media advocating for the good way.
The Campeau’s travelled from the Ottawa area for Ian to headline the AEI festival to show support for Indigenous students. He himself is on a quest for traditional knowledge.
“I love coming here. I get to hang out with my aunties and speak the language. I don’t get to do that often.”
When asked if he spoke Anishinaabemowin well, the language of Nipissing First Nation, he said, “Not well at all. This is why it’s really important to be here for me. I learn a lot from my aunties.”
“I’m trying to learn my language. I’m trying to learn my history. I’m learning all of this stuff right now that is insanely empowering and foundation shattering. These are the things that I want to start podcasts on. There are a lot of Indigenous values that I really didn’t understand that completely conflict with settler ideologies that I grew up with,” said Campeau. “It’s been a lot of unlearning and relearning. That’s been taking up a lot of my time. Right now, I have my school bag that I carry my music in. It also has three language books in it. I feel there is a whole other understanding of how things work out there. I’m just learning about this value system.”
There is a stack of language textbooks on Campeau’s table at the concert hall – the Nipissing First Nation Outdoor Rink or Zhooshkwaade Gamik. Campeau gets help from his Aunt Evelyn McLeod who is there at the music festival. She speaks the original dialect fluently.
“He has many questions about the language,” she says.
Other artists in the 2018 Anishinabek Educational Institute Music Festival Fundraiser included Keith McLeod; Jordan Mowat; Esther Pennell; Debbie Favreau; and the Band of Three.