Northern Ont. musician joins national program to amplify Indigenous voices

Attawapiskat musician Adrian Sutherland’s Cree song 'Kiyash' is featured in a free national education program. Amanda Hicks has more.

Roots-rocker Adrian Sutherland found the inspiration for his song "Kiyash" while immersed in the natural landscape of Attawapiskat First Nation, his lifelong home.

The track, performed entirely in his first language, Cree, translates to “before.”

Sutherland recalled the song’s moment of conception while speaking with CTV News.

“I remember seeing an old tree, like an axe cut in the tree and then just started thinking about the people that came before us, you know, our ancestors, my grandparents and of course, my uncles and my mom,” he said.

Sutherland went on to further explain the song’s deeper meaning.

“It’s tradition to honour our ancestors and not only the people that came before us, but the people that are here today and are going to follow in their footsteps as well,” he said.

Platform for Ancestral Voices

Sutherland’s composition has been selected for feature in Ancestors Voices, a curriculum-based initiative developed by the Coalition for Music Education in Canada, an advocacy agency with over three decades of experience known for its Music Monday event each May.

The artist expressed his enthusiasm for the invitation.

“(The coalition) reached out to us a little while back and asked if we would be interested in participating in this, and of course, I said ‘yes,’” Sutherland said.

“I was really excited that they chose me as one of their artists this year.”

In this program, the featured artist collaborates with an Indigenous music educator to develop educational content.

Stacey Sinclair, the coalition’s executive director, elaborated on the process.

“We talk about how to respectfully use and learn the music, how to share it. We want to be able to provide this information to music educators who are specialists and also music educators who are not specialists in music education,” she said.

Honouring Truth and Reconciliation through music

Officials with the coalition said the organization sought a meaningful way to acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

“It seemed like a great opportunity to showcase Indigenous voices. We’re so happy to spotlight Adrian’s music and Indigenous voices,” said Sinclair.

The Ancestors Voices program, now in its second year, provides materials that are accessible to educators throughout the entire year.

Building on overwhelming success

The initiative’s inaugural year, which focused on Julian Taylor’s song "Seeds," exceeded all expectations.

Sinclair explained that the program witnessed tremendous success.

“We had 83,000 students registered to access the materials,” she said.

“We were absolutely blown away by the response. Our goal was 10,000 students. So that was about close to 500 schools that had signed up to do that.”

Sinclair described a powerful moment during a live performance by Taylor.

“The whole school, you know, 600 kids just start singing. Taylor’s performing it, but they just all sing it, you know?” she said.

“He was just really, really touched by that, and I’m sure the same thing is going to happen with Adrian’s music.”

Legacy of language and music

For Sutherland, the national classroom reach of “Kiyash” represents more than artistic sharing; it is a crucial contribution to cultural preservation.

“It’s also important for me as a language speaker to do my part and protect the language,” he said.

More information about Ancestors Voices and how to register can be found on the program’s website.