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The statistics surrounding indigenous children in Canada to this day are unacceptable. Iskwe takes a stand in her song "Little Star" to raise awareness in this problem that remains unsolved.
iskwē is an Indigenous singer-songwriter and activist of Cree, Dené and Irish heritage. She received a Juno Award nomination for “Indigenous Music Album of the Year” at the Juno Awards of 2018 and was longlisted for the “Polaris Music Prize” for her second album The Fight Within. With her song Little Star, Iskwē sets out to write a song that looks into the injustice that follow the loss of young Tina Fountain. As Iskwē told Billboard magazine about Little Star:
“The lyric ‘Little Star’ is in reference to an element of Cree culture. I am Cree from Treaty 1 territory and in Cree culture we are taught that we are the descendants of the Star People. When you look up into the sky and you see a falling star or a shooting star, what you're actually seeing are the comings and goings of spirit between the walking world in the sky world. The lyrics of this song, especially with reference to 'fire down,' for instance, in the bridge, I'm referencing this movement of spirit leaving the walking world and entering back into the sky world.”
The episode features Dr. Cindy Blackstock, a member of the Gitxsan First Nation, is the executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, a national organization that she co-founded. She is also a professor at McGill University's School of Social Work. She has been described as "Canada's 'relentless moral voice' for First Nations equality." She has worked for decades as a tireless champion for the rights of Indigenous children and their families. Blackstock first stepped onto the national stage when she helped win a landmark human rights challenge against the Government of Canada. Her advocacy has resulted in a wide range of services now being provided to Indigenous children, youth and families.
The statistics surrounding indigenous children in Canada to this day are unacceptable. Iskwe takes a stand in her song "Little Star" to raise awareness in this problem that remains unsolved.
Watch Iskwe's performance of her song "Little Star". This beautiful rendition takes you through the streets of Toronto at night following the dreams of freedom of an indigenous child. This music video was edited by Francis Laliberte.
In this amplifier, Iskwe talks about her political stand and the steps she takes through arts and music to make the world a better place for the next generations.
Little Star was recorded at Jukasa Recording Studio.
Jukasa Recording Studios is a multi-million dollar studio created for world-class and
developing artists to make music in surroundings rich in spirit and tradition.
Address: 3326 6th Line, Ohsweken ON
Website:
www.jukasamediagroup.com
Song producer: Greg Giesbrecht
Filming locations: City of Hamilton,
City of Toronto