Anishinaabe singer-songwriter set to tour with Sultans of String
By Brian Wright-McLeod
TORONTO – Walking Through the Fire is a musical multimedia experience that celebrates the spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action that includes Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists to work together to find a path forward. A seminal participant in the project is Toronto-based Anishinaabe singer/songwriter Marc Meriläinen-Nadjiwan.
A few years ago, Nadjiwan was contacted by Chris McKhool from The Sultans of String.
“He wanted to record a collaborative project,” he said. “A few years later, it evolved into this amazing live touring show.”
Walking Through the Fire features First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists, drumming of the Pacific Northwest, Northern Cree pow wow singers, and contemporary artists including award-winning fingerstyle guitarist Don Ross, poet Duke Redbird, and others who will perform with the Sultans of String.
Nadjiwan is geared up and excited about the performances.
“I’m a big fan of artists such as Leela Gilday, Don Ross, and Crystal Shawanda that it’s so wonderful being able to work with them on this project,” he said.
The project supports the need for the truth of Indian Residential Schools to be told before reconciliation can take place.
“I really love the spirit of camaraderie and collaboration with this project,” Nadjiwan said. “It also involves many Indigenous musicians from across the country.”
Combined with performing songs by Crystal Shawanda and Raven Kanatakta, Nadjiwan is also slated to perform A Beautiful Darkness that he co-wrote with the Sultans of String; the single was recently posted to YouTube.
“The show we will be performing on tour is two 45-minute sets with material composed by the various Indigenous artists on this project,” he said. “For the live show, we’re doing about 16 songs each night. Personally, I will be singing three of these songs.”
Additionally, Nadjiwan continues to create as an independent producer and label manager.
“I’m looking to release a funk/disco record that I recorded with my sons Fox and Cole during the [COVID-19] pandemic lockdown. We like the tunes so much, we think it would make a great record to dance to so we’re going to release it this coming January,” he said.“We’ve also been busy running our record label, Merilainen Music Inc., that specializes in Indigenous artists… We have a lot of new releases coming out soon from amazing and talented artists, so, stay tuned!”
Walking Through the Fire opens the Flato Markham Theatre Season on September 28, leading up to and following the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Nadjiwan looks forward to hitting the road.
“The tour plays venues in Markham, Stratford, St. Catherines, Brantford, Lindsay, Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins, Geraldton, Thunder Bay, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Kenora, and Fort Frances, then we hit the road again in 2024 to more cities,” he said.
The tour wraps up its 2023 roster of dates on November 12 in Walkerton, Ontario. The second leg of the tour will kick off in Kingston, Ontario on January 23, 2024. The full list is available on the website.