Honour Song

Season 1

The High Commission has partnered with Winnipeg community music festival sākihiwē to launch a series of tributes to Indigenous trailblazers in music. Featuring the likes of iskwē and Kinnie Starr, PIQSIQ and Susan Aglukark, Elisapie and Sugluk and William Prince’s tribute to his father, each performance allows the artists to share what they have in common with the elders that inspired them, but also reflect upon the diversity of Indigenous communities across Canada, and what has changed from one generation to the next.

Watch “Little Star” by iskwē

iskwē is an award-winning creator and communicator of music and of movement, of pictures, poetry and prose. She grew up in Treaty 1 Territory, which covers Southern Manitoba, and her ancestors are Cree, Métis, and Irish.

Watch “Echoes & Electricity” by PIQSIQ

PIQSIQ is an Inuit throat singing duo from the Kitikmeot and Kivalliq regions of Nunavut who perform traditional songs set to eerie new musical compositions. The name “piqsiq” is an Inuktitut phrase that describes a storm with winds that blow in a very specific way, making it look like the snow is falling back up towards the sky.

Watch “Arnaq” by Elisapie

Elisapie is a soulful down-home folk artist from the second northernmost Inuit community in Quebec. Her ability to captivate audiences in Inuktitut, English, and French has earned her multiple awards and nominations.

William Prince

William Prince is a thought-provoking songwriter who grew up in the Peguis First Nation. His debut album, entitled Earthly Days, attracted the attention of Glassnote Records and earned him a JUNO Award in the contemporary roots category.

Season 2

In the second season, we shine a spotlight on the effects of climate change in Canada. Music by Fawn Wood, Burnstick, Leela Gilday, and The North Sound is anchored by testimonials from Indigenous elders along with film footage from the Northwest Territories, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Fawn Wood

A short film about climate change in Alberta from the perspectives of Fawn Wood and Elders Charles and Mary Wood by filmmaker Natalie Wood.

Burnstick

Watch a short film about climate change in Manitoba from the perspectives of Indigenous folk music duo Burnstick and Elders Jocelyne Pambrun and Dr. Winston Wuttunee by BNB Studios.

Leela Gilday

A short film about climate change in Denendeh (Northwest Territories, Canada) by Dene filmmaker Morgan Tsetta from the perspectives of JUNO Award winner Leela Gilday, Sahtugot’ine Elder Cindy Gilday, and Shuta’ot’ine Elder Paul Andrew.

The North Sound

A short film about climate change in Saskatchewan from the perspectives of Forrest Eaglespeaker (The North Sound), singer/actor/Elder Joseph Naytowhow, and filmmaker/Elder Maria Campbell by filmmaker Matt Braden Smith.

A two-season programme of videos showcasing Indigenous trailblazers in music