Songwriter brings more Cree language into his music
CBC
A Juno-nominated musician from Attawapiskat, Ont., is leaning into his Cree culture and language in some new music and an upcoming book.
Adrian Sutherland, an Omushkegowuk Cree singer-songwriter, released a new song on Aug 11, called Notawe, meaning, "father." The term is also often used to describe "Creator."
Sutherland wants in his work to focus on what makes him unique.
"This was actually the first time I wrote a full song in Cree," said Sutherland in an interview with Dorothy Stewart on CBC North's Cree-language radio.
"Being Cree, being Indigenous, being from the far north and coming from the bush makes me different," said Sutherland.
Writing and singing in Cree is more challenging than in English, said Sutherland.
Sutherland is a longtime frontman for Midnight Shine, a roots-rock band that's recorded three albums since 2013.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sutherland built a recording studio in his home community out of a shipping container, and decided to focus on music as a solo artist.
Notawe is the first single off an upcoming album, his second solo album, which is set to be released in March 2024. There will be two all-Cree songs on the album.
Reflecting the beauty of Attawapiskat in his music is important for Sutherland. Despite hardships, Sutherland takes pride in being from the northern community.
"Although there are lots of challenges and there's a lot of very tough things that we're dealing with, but there's also lots of good things and lots of beauty," said Sutherland.
With growing awareness around truth and reconciliation, Sutherland hopes for Canadians to walk together in love, respect and better understanding of one another.
"I grew up there my whole life and I've been grinding it out. I think no one has ever heard the story coming from somebody [...] who's lived there, who's been on the ground." said Sutherland.
Mental health, politics, family relationships and what it means to be from the north are the lyrical inspirations behind the music he's writing.
A claim by New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt that petroleum refiners will be paying the $1 million per week cost of a gasoline price cut that her government orchestrated last weekend does not appear to be unfolding that way.
Sonia Bélanger, junior health minister and the minister responsible for senior and social services, is expected to be sworn in as early as Friday as Quebec's new health minister, according to sources at Radio-Canada.
A growing number of Manitoba's MRI machines now use artificial intelligence, with a plan to have more than half using the technology by spring.
A mobile unit the Saskatchewan government bought in 2002 for providing mammograms to Saskatchewan women will soon retire.
The Prince Edward Island government is rolling out the province’s first-ever policing standards, which officials say will make police services more consistent, transparent and better supported.
Residents in Niagara Falls, Ont., continue to wait for news on the future of Marineland’s property and dozens of animals, including up to 30 belugas and four dolphins — nearly two months after the federal government turned down the theme park's request to export the mammals.
Canadian travellers hoping for a new year without having to worry about a labour dispute may be out of luck, as 2026 will see most major airlines from this country facing off with unions across the bargaining table.
Food prices are soaring. Food prices keep climbing. Food prices are defying cooling inflation.
WARNING: This story contains distressing details.
Ontario legislation that mandated air conditioning in all resident rooms in long-term care (LTC) homes has saved dozens of lives, according to a new study.
Gusty winds, rapid fall in temperature prompt special weather statement for Waterloo region and area
The mid-week warmup in Waterloo region, Guelph and area will abruptly come to an end on Friday, Environment and Climate Change Canada warns.
Water in two more schools in the N.W.T. show lead levels above Health Canada's guidelines for drinking water, according to the territorial government.
Ontario's ethics watchdog says it will investigate whether the province's labour minister contravened any laws in his handling of a controversial training fund.