Never Ever Forget Me – Never Ever Forget Me

Gawill Wiikaa Ga-Nendimisii

Never Ever Forget Me: An Indigenous Music Festival and Artisan Market

EVERY
CHILD
MATTERS.

ABOUT

GAWII WIIKAA GA-NENDIMISII,
NEVER EVER FORGET ME

Deshkan Ziibiing (Chippewas of the Thames First Nation), in collaboration with Atlosha Family Healing Services, Music Tourism and the Western Fair District, is proud to welcome a slate of incredible Indigenous artists, makers and organizations to the Western Fair District on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation for, Gawii Wiikaa Ga-Nendimisii (Never Ever Forget Me) Music and Artisan Festival, September 30, 2023.

Gawii Wiikaa Ga-Nendimisii (Never Ever Forget Me) is about addressing the cultural genocide which diminished our traditional and cultural ways of living, with a promise to never forget what happened in the residential school system.

Proceeds from the concert and market will go toward saving the remaining structure of the Mount Elgin Indian Industrial School barn, where children inscribed messages on the walls and foundation, to create a Mount Elgin Museum and Interpretive Centre.

“Gawii Wiikaa Ga-Nendimisii (Never Ever Forget Me) Music and Artisan Festival is not just a celebration of our resilience, but a testament to the enduring Indigenous creativity in music, art, and culture. We invite you as our guest on September 30, to learn more about the important cause for the festival – and in doing so, never forget that every child matters. Join us as we come together to remember, heal, and celebrate our culture together in the spirit of truth and reconciliation.” – Chief Joe Miskokomon.

Wear Orange, Speak Truth

YOU’RE
INVITED

WHEN

September 29, 2023
Vendor Market: Free Entry
4-9pm

September 30, 2023
Vendor Market: Free Entry
10am-7pm

Cultural Learnings: Free programs + activities, come learn about truth and reconciliation!
12-3:30pm

Concert:
Purchase tickets online
Doors open @ 5pm
Music from 6-11pm

WHERE

Western Fair District Agriplex,
845 Florence St,
N5W 6G6

WHO

This is an all ages event. This event is also drug and alcohol free.

DETAILS

WHEN
WHERE
WHO

DETAILS

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE CONCERT

Tickets are available online or at the door. One ticket includes entry to see all performers. All proceeds go toward the Save the Barn Campaign at Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.

GENERAL ADMISSION

$30.00

VENDORS

INTERESTED IN BEING A VENDOR AT THE MARKET?

INDIGENOUS
VENDORS
WANTED

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation is seeking expressions of interest from Indigenous artisan, food, information, grassroots and non-profits vendors for the 2-day market portion of this event

Vendor fees collected will go to supporting the saving of the Mount Elgin Indian Industrial School barn to create a Mount Elgin Museum and Interpretative Centre. Interested individuals or groups are encouraged to apply by Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
The sale of Orange Shirt Day T-Shirts and Hoodies at this event will be exclusively handled by Atlohsa Family Healing Services in support of their Relighting the Fire of Hope Orange Shirt campaign.

WHEN

Sept. 29, 4-9pm
Sept. 30, 10am-7pm

WHERE

Western Fair District Agriplex,
845 Florence St,
N5W 6G6

INVESTMENT

$50 per day for Artist & Information Vendors
$100 per day for Food Vendors
Free for Non-Profit or Grassroots vendors

HOW

Fill out the application

DEADLINE

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

CONTACT

events@cottfn.com

Please note: Submitting an application does not guarantee a spot.
Application will be approved by the Festival Committee.
Vendors will be provided with tables and chairs as required. Electricity plugins are available.

CRAFT VENDOR

A.Cady Designs

Sacred Mugs & Custom Creations

Vonnelle Crafts

Authentic Black Ash Baskets by Robin Blackbird

Antler River Leather

Patricia Williams

Rose’s Legacy

Momma Bear Beading

Kwe Kreations

Ojibway Reflection

Plain Wear

Billy Jo Monague

Three Sisters Beadwork

Elaine Shognosh

Atlohsa Gifts

Northern Star Kwe Creations

Ribbons and Roots

Ms. Antone’s Beadwork

Sweetgrass & Sage

Spirit Earth Holistics

Cutting Edge Impressions

The Adventures of Jay and Gizmo

The Red Willow

Antler River Trading Co.

Adams Family Ink & Boutique

Oneida Tattoo and Designs

Martha Albert

Lena Kechego

Nancy Deleary

Ziibi Honey

Lenape Creations

Cheryl Antone

Styled by Jazzy

Another Maracle Creation

Nancy Deleary/ Mary Deleary

FOOD VENDOR

Oneida Sweet Treats

Zisikine

Cactus Grill Catering

INFORMATION VENDOR

Pathways Employment Help Centre

Indigenous Youth Guitar Giveaway Series

Aboriginal Community & Animal Advocacy Connection

Lets Talk Science – Fanshawe College

Cactus Grill Catering

TLE staff booth

Anishinaabe’aadiziwin staff booth

Enji Maajtaawaad Staff Booth

Friday, Nov 18th

THE HALLUCI NATION

The Halluci Nation is real.

As they enter a new cycle, Bear Witness and Tim “2oolman” Hill of A Tribe Called Red are reintroducing themselves as The Halluci Nation, to reflect the evolution of their music and mission. The Halluci Nation, takes its name from a phrase coined by John Trudell, to describe the vast global community of people who remember at their core what it means to be human. As a visionary artist and activist, Trudell recognized the connection between his accomplishments and what ATCR did intuitively through music and art.

Trudell’s voice was the first heard on Tribe’s last record, We Are The Halluci Nation, and will, fittingly, be the first you hear on The Halluci Nation’s upcoming record, One More Saturday Night. The album is a love letter to the Electric Pow Wow gatherings launched at Ottawa’s Babylon nightclub in 2007. It represents an imagined denouement to the biweekly Saturday-night parties that ended abruptly in 2017, without ever getting the proper send-off. One More Saturday Night thus pays homage to the parties’ energy and momentum that elevated The Halluci Nation to this pivotal point in their career of fully mastering their own music style while also moving beyond club music; or “mixing dance music with dance music,” as Bear Witness succinctly puts it.

“We wanted to pay homage to the Electric Pow Wow and wrap that whole decade of experience up and close the cycle, and in doing so give direct coordinates of where the future was headed. In a nutshell, that’s what this album is about,” says Bear. “We just wanted to make a party record, as well, one that people could dance to while still having the strong message we are known for.”

As was the case with its proud legacy, The Halluci Nation’s future revolves around collaboration. From hip-hop star, Yasiin Bey (AKA Mos Def), to the Indigenous Australian band, OKA, to the Wayuu-Colombian powerhouse, Lido Pimienta, the group has always sought out artists from around the world who would join the Halluci Nation family to form a like minded community as well as an international indigenous alliance. The upcoming record will be no exception – with features as inspired and unpredictable as the music from Texas “electro-cumbia” producer, El Dusty, Anishnaabeg drum group, Chippewa Travellers, Maori artist, Rob Ruha, Inuk singer, Tanya Tagaq, and round-dance/R&B singer Antoine, among many others.

“We wanted to take the music to another place,” says 2oolman. “We showed a little bit of our ambitious side on this record and we got to do a lot of songs that we’d been wanting to do for a long time. And this is just the beginning. I wouldn’t be surprised if you heard The Halluci Nation produce a project for someone else. We’ve got so much more coming.”

This is a beginning, not an end, after all. The Halluci Nation maintains focus on what they feel they can impact most: how Indigenous people are seen. Through groundbreaking stage shows and ever-changing visuals, Bear Witness and 2oolman are working to create media that reflects today’s Indigenous identity. By partnering with striking visual artists such as Whess Harman, Saige Mukash and Cedar-Eve Peters along with a growing community of musical collaborators. They see themselves simply as contributors to a necessary conversation around a subtle and complex representation of the contemporary Indigenous experience.

Saturday, Nov 19th

OMBIIGIZI

OMBIIGIZI – pronounced om-BEE-ga-ZAY, meaning this is noisy – is a collaboration between Zoon (Daniel Monkman) and Status/Non Status (Adam Sturgeon), Anishnaabe artists who explore their cultural histories through sound. Their music together is a rumination on family, a celebration and holistic cleansing, with a strong sense of unity and loving support. An amalgam of their Indigenous heritages and personal musical architectures, Daniel and Adam imbue their lyrics with their families’ storytelling, revealing truths and finding common ground amidst their differences. The debut album, entitled Sewn Back Together, is a fusion of individuality – a reflection on Adam and Daniel’s commitment to each other as collaborators and distinct members of community.

The first single, “Residential Military,” is guttural and unadorned: swirling art rock a la Murray Street era Sonic Youth that ambles from brash, kinetic verses, to bursts of radiant liquid melody in the choruses. “Birch bark canoe paddles onto the freeway / No turn signal, how to switch lanes?” A story of Adam’s desire to connect traditions in a modern world, the song responds to Canada’s current reckoning with its history of military industrial and residential school systems by introducing a concept that Adam describes as Indigenous Futurisms – “finding the past to picture a future which is not always so easy here and now.” Summoning life and creation in place of anguish, “Residential Military” is a clash of catharsis, and a resonant image of personal reconciliation, interpreted live and in the moment.

Putting aside the tonal nuances of their previous work as Zoon and Status / Non Status (formerly known as WHOOP-Szo), OMBIIGIZI strips back the waves of distortion to reveal themselves, their voices, writing and improvising for the sake of the song. The family on Sewn Back Together includes Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene on production and The Bathouse Studio’s Nyles Spencer engineering. Recorded there in fast and intentional sessions during the summer of 2021, Drew and Spencer helped steer this collision of divergent artists into some glorious sonic territory steeped in shoegaze, dream pop, anthemic rock, Chicago post-rock, and 2nd wave emo. While not always getting to play and perform alongside other members of their community, OMBIIGIZI is a coming together – Sewn Back Together is a resounding statement shaped by healing and the guidance of culture.

Saturday, Nov 19th

SHAWNEE KISH

Shawnee Kish discovered music as medicine at a very early age. Born dreaming about being on stage and starting her journey toward a career in music at the age of 12, music quickly became a source of self empowerment for the Two Spirit soulful singer, allowing her to stand tall in her personal strength and power. So far this year, Shawnee has celebrated her first JUNO Award nomination (Contemporary Indigenous Artisr of rhe Year), earned a place on the Edmonton Music Prize’s 2021 long list and signed a label deal (Amelia Recordings).

Named the winner of CBC’s 2020 Searchlight talent competition, this fierce, powerhouse artist has been celebrated as one of North America’s Top Gender Bending Artists (MTV), named by Billboard as an Artist You Need To Know and continuously uses her music to empower.

Listening to her chart-topping releases one can easily recognize that, as an artist, Shawnee has been influenced by the strong, confident voices of female performers such as Melissa Etheridge, Etta James, Nina Simone and Amy Winehouse. Her deeply personal and always poignant lyrics are rooted in healing, allowing both herself and her listeners to find purpose and reason in the stories she tells.

An outspoken advocate for her Indigenous and LGBTQ2+ communities, Shawnee is a proud Two Spirit Mohawk who has shared the stage with some of the world’s biggest names – Lady Gaga, Madonna and Alicia Keys to name a few. 2021 saw the Edmonton-based artist release an EP that addressed personal struggles. “The main theme was lighting up what used to be and getting on with what is now. The songs represent becoming yourself, finding out where you were was not where you wanted to be and fully embracing that in order to let go. Light the Place up, even if it’s unintentional.”

Shawnee is clearly an artist with vision, who will spend 2022 lighting up stages across North America. She will also continue her work with the We Matter Campaign and Kids Help Phone in hopes of empowering youth, providing strength and hope through music.

“SHAWNEE IS FEARLESSLY AUTHENTIC IN HER ARTISTRY.” – ZUBIN THAKKER, PRODUCER

Sunday, Nov 20th

DJ SHUB

Considered to be the Godfather of PowWowStep, DJ Shub has undoubtedly pioneered a growing genre of electronic music. Born Dan General, he is a Mohawk, turtle clan of the Six Nations of the Grand River located in Ontario, Canada.

His latest album War Club (2020) was released to critical acclaim during the pandemic, featuring collaborations with other indigenous and BIPOC artists like Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Boogát, Fawn Wood, and Phoenix Pagliacci to name a few.

DJ Shub won the 2022 JUNO award for Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year, and previously won Breakthrough Group of the Year in 2014 (with A Tribe Called Red). He was also an Indigenous Music Award nominee at the 2018 Juno Awards for his PowWowStep EP, won a Much Music Video Award for Best EDM/Dance Video in 2017 and was shortlisted for the esteemed Polaris Music Prize Award in 2013.

Before solidifying his seat at the top of the PowWowStep world, DJ Shub also turned heads in DJ competitions like the prestigious DMC World DJ Championships, by winning back-to-back Canadian titles and representing Canada at the world finals in 2007 and 2008. In 2012, coming out of battle retirement, DJ Shub competed in the Red Bull Thre3style DJ Competition where he won the Canadian title, and once again represented his home country by placing fifth at the world finals.

Aside from the traditional recording and performing areas of an artist, Dan General has found immense success in the world of film & TV synchronization licensing. Most notably, the infamous UK actor, comedian and producer Sacha Baron Cohen hand-picked the song “Indomitable” as the theme music to his Showtime series, “Who Is America?” The show was critically-acclaimed, landing 3 Emmy Award Nominations, 2 Directors Guild of America Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award nomination. Dan composed music for The Grizzlies (staring Will Sasso), an emotional film based on true story, it depicts a youth lacrosse team that was set up to help combat an epidemic of youth suicide in the community of Kugluktuk, Nunavut. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and Dan went on to win Best Original Song at the Canadian Screen Awards for the title song “Trials.” Dan’s music has also been placed globally including Fox Sports Australia, Les Mills in New Zealand, VICE in the United States and CBC in Canada to name a few.

With extensive experience performing on global stages, DJ Shub now brings a dynamic live show of his critically acclaimed, chart topping electronic Indigenous album as “War Club Live”. The show is a celebration of Indigenous music and culture, featuring special guests, visuals and Indigenous dancers in full regalia.

War Club, the album, blends traditional Indigenous drums with modern day electronic beats and hip hop sensibility. Each song is a master course in technical skill and DJ turntablism, bringing a message of protest and power. Filled with heavy hitters, the album intends to provoke thought and shed light on the many ways artists are fighting back in today’s political climate.

WAR CLUB LIVE DJ Shub, the Godfather of PowWowStep now brings a dynamic live show of his critically acclaimed, chart topping electronic Indigenous album “War Club”. War Club Live is a celebration of Indigenous music and culture, featuring special guests, visuals and Indigenous dancers in full regalia. Recently, DJ Shub won the 2022 JUNO award for Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year, and previously won Breakthrough Group of the Year in 2014 (with A Tribe Called Red).

Sunday, Nov 20th

BOSLEN

Boslen is a born trailblazer. The 22-year-old hip-hop experimenter lives in Vancouver, and its people have become key to the way he understands himself and his art. A land of contrasts—snowy peaks and warm water, beautiful nature and busy streets—it’s the perfect home for an artist who reconciles disparate energies, weaving together styles and sounds that don’t intuitively connect. DUSK to DAWN, his Capitol Records debut, furthers this adventurous approach, hypnotically mixing trap, pop, punk, and rock melodies, and it’s also directly inspired by his city—a place that drives him to be different, to strive for more, to achieve greatness when no one expects him to.

The simmering slow jam “Note to the City,” featuring local legends Rascalz, makes his affection explicit. It sounds like he’s singing about a lover, but as he croons, it becomes clear that he’s putting on for the place that made him. What he’s connected to most since moving there, he says, “is the feeling of being an underdog.” It’s something that makes sense to him as an artist who exists at the margins between scenes. And part of being an underdog is proving people wrong, succeeding despite the odds, which is Boslen’s whole goal. “I want it the most,” he says.

Growing up amid farmland in Chilliwack, BC, hip-hop wasn’t a big part of Boslen’s adolescence, at least until his mom and stepdad briefly separated, and Kid Cudi provided a crutch. “I was trying to protect my mental health as a 12-year-old kid,” he recalls. “I put in my headphones and listened to ‘Up, Up and Away,’ over and over and over again.” He eventually started writing his own music during another hard time, shortly after he arrived at the University of Victoria and back-to-back ACL tears sabotaged his rugby scholarship and plans for a future in sports.

Boslen, the artist, emerged from those emotional experiments in 2018, when he dropped out of school, moved to North Vancouver, and released the Motionless and Motionless II mixtapes. He found his footing in 2019 with the energetic, confrontational songs “Eye for an Eye” and “Hidden Nights,” which garnered millions of streams. In 2019, he released the Black Lotus EP, but even with so many intricately realized songs out in the world, DUSK to DAWN feels like a step forward, full of boundary-pushing vocal experiments, heavier production, and shape-shifting transitions. The music finally matches the tumultuous emotions he’s captured in his lyrics all along.

DUSK to DAWN’s cinematic approach was influenced by hip-hop’s most accomplished auteurs, people like Kanye West and, of course, Cudi. Consequently, each of the record’s singles shows off a different side of his sound. The punk-infused “DENY,” with Tyla Yaweh, weaves together pained nostalgia and hard-won optimism. The braggadocious “QUARTZ,” featuring Toronto rapper Charmaine, is thrillingly brash. There is lighter fare, too, where Boslen ponders the world around him—the “dusk” songs on the record. By contrast, the “dawn” songs represent the idea of awakening, and learning to challenge the boxes that other people put him in.

“Being an Indigenous man, being a Black man, at the age I am now, people tend to turn their shoulders if you show vulnerability, or want to cry and be sensitive,” he laments. “I’m supposed to come off hard because I’m a rapper, but DUSK to DAWN came from the light and the dark.”

As a rugby player, Boslen would jot a biblical aphorism onto his cleats: “To whom much is given, much will be tested.” Never before has he understood or embraced that so clearly. He may not be able to pull every listener into Vancouver, but he’s using the city’s contrasts as a backdrop to challenge everyone to think beyond themselves—to dream big. “There’s thousands of kids here just like me who are so talented,” he says. “I’m trying to make a world that’s bigger than myself.”

Gawill Wiikaa Ga-Nendimisii

Never Ever Forget Me: An Indigenous Music Festival and Artisan Market

EVERY
CHILD
MATTERS.

ABOUT

GAWII WIIKAA GA-NENDIMISII,
NEVER EVER FORGET ME