Serpent River First Nation artist advances music career

By Leslie Knibbs

ELLIOT LAKE — Isaac Murdoch is a musician, artist, and storyteller originally from Serpent River First Nation (SRFN) but moved back to the land over three years ago to live a traditional life the Anishnaabe way in an off-the-grid community.

The community of Nimkii Aazhibikoong (Thunder Mountain) is located north of Elliot Lake in traditional territory.

“Nimkii Aazhibikoong is a continuation of the visions many Elders gifted to us in having a community that would focus on language and Anishinaabe-based activities on the land,” explains Murdoch. “We started with a small group of like-minded people who came together and started with ceremony that was conducted by our Elders. Many offerings and prayers were made in hopes of the preservation of Anishinaabemowin.”

In 2017, when the community was started, members lived with little or no modern conveniences.

“We started off living in tents and cooking on fires. We fundraised like crazy and started to build homes and a cultural learning community centre as well as other infrastructure. We are very proud we never accepted government funding for the construction of our village. Our mandate was to use traditional self-governance to guide this whole process and we have been successful. Having our own Land Use Management Plan based on Anishinabek Laws has always been a comfort in moving forward. Our Elders are the driving force of the camp. It’s because of them we have a community.”

Solar panels provide power to the community (except two houses).

“Nimkii Aazhibikoong is a prime example of when people come together for Anishinaabemowin, extraordinary things can happen. Our language in the camp has grown exponentially and we are very proud and are grateful to our Elders for sharing this ancient treasure with us. People are having conversations in the language, which wasn’t the case when we first started. We all feel very blessed and are grateful to the Elders for everything they do. It truly is amazing.”

Although the population of the community swells during the Spring through Fall seasons, there are activities, both cultural as well as making improvements to the community, year-round.

“Activities like brain tanning smoked moose hides, basket and mat weaving, birch bark canoe building, gardening, visual art, traditional medicine picking, quillwork, storytelling, maple syrup making, and harvesting is some of what the camp does according to the seasons. We are truly honoured to be back in our traditional territory that is rich with history and customs,” says Murdoch. “Currently, we are finishing the last bit of the carpentry needs of the community, and look forward to getting clean water in the near future. With the help of Indigenous Climate Action and Sacred Earth Solar, along with community contributions, we now have four solar stations to accommodate our power needs. We also have several gardens to help provide food security for future generations.”

In September of 2017, the community hosted a two-day multi-nation Indigenous gathering of North America’s most known traditional tattoo artists to celebrate the resurgence of Indigenous tattoo practices. On September 29 and 30, some of North America’s most renowned traditional Indigenous tattoo artists came to Nimkii Aazhibikoong for a two-day multi-nation Indigenous gathering that was open to the public to celebrate the resurgence of Indigenous tattoo practices.

According to Murdoch, Indigenous Peoples and Nations practised the art of tattooing for thousands of years.

“Because of genocide and influences of colonization, this practice as well as the practice of using traditional paint on our bodies, became severely diminished in the last 150 years or so until recently where there is a huge resurgence and revitalization movement happening among Indigenous Peoples worldwide,” he explains.

Murdoch is known worldwide for what he modestly calls his “doodles,” many of which have been used for hundreds of campaigns and front-line actions to protect our sacred earth. With a passion to express his knowledge, feelings, and teachings, Murdoch has immersed himself in music releasing an album in October 2021 called, “You were chosen to be here.”  The album was a collaboration with Matt Epp and has received raving reviews from other known artists including legendary producer and songwriter Daniel Lanois.

“Isaac has a real unique sense of storytelling in his music. His chants really moved me. It’s refreshing to hear,” Lanois said.

The accolades are coming fast and often for SRFN’s Isaac Murdoch and his music. It’s rare for Murdoch to play concert venues; however, the last one he played was at the Toronto Music Festival. Perhaps when the COVID-19 pandemic is over, Murdoch will be out on the road performing live. Murdoch keeps busy with his art, his music, and maintaining and making plans for Nimkii Aazhibikoong.

There is a new album in the works he said.

“I am currently working on an album titled, ‘Keep it in the Ground.’ It is planned to be released in July 2022. It’s being produced and mixed by a Métis Musical Genius named William Rideout. I am blessed to have him in my corner.”

Isaac Murdoch’s songs can be found on Spotify, iTunes, as well as his Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Murdoch’s and Epp’s latest collaboration, “Everything We Need”, has made it to number one on the Indigenous Music Count Down.

In the meantime, Murdoch is continuing to further the development of  the cultural and language community Thunder Mountain (Nimkii Aazhibikoong) ​where he and others live.