Concert for Attawapiskat
Nipissing University is hosting a benefit concert featuring Aboriginal musicians Derek Miller and Digging Roots, as well as local artists Holly Cunningham and Eric Traleven, to raise funds to support the housing crisis in Attawapiskat and raise awareness and understanding of challenges faced by First Nations communities in Canada.
Many Voices: Exploring Northern Realities and Supporting Attawapiskat is an intimate, acoustic musical experience that will take place in the Nipissing University theater (F213) on January 14, at 7 p.m.
The concert, hosted by Nipissing University students, will also feature brief student monologues between the musical performances on issues of importance to First Nation communities in the North.
Tickets cost $25 and are available from the university’s Office of External Relations and Advancement. Please contact Gil Pharand, senior development officer, at gilp@nipissingu.ca; or 705-474-3450 ext 4361 to purchase tickets.
Miller is a dynamic performer who always pours a tremendous amount of energy in to his performance and pushes the music to be the best it can in every situation. Hailing from Six Nations of the Grand River community, he has received numerous awards and national recognition from organizations including the Juno Awards, the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, The First Americans in the Arts Awards, the Indian Summer Music Awards and the Native American Music Awards. He has released multiple records and has toured extensively and internationally.
More information on Derek Miller is available here: http://derekmiller.ca
DiggingRoots are quickly emerging as new leaders of the old school of rebel music. From the first listen, the songs about culture, freedom, and identity are undeniably hard-hitting, hopeful and honest. The songwriting team combines the elements of their traditional Indigenous influences, hip-hop, folk, reggae, blues, and roots with an uncommon eclectic sensibility. Their newest studio project, We Are, produced with innovator Kinne Starr, was released in Canada to critical acclaim in Oct 2009, winning a JUNO Award, a Native American Music Award and an Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award.
More information on Digging Roots is available here: http://www.diggingrootsmusic.com
Local singer and guitar player Holly Cunningham has a voice that'll dive straight into your chest, grab your heart and give it a big 'ole squeeze. Joining forces with guitarist Eric Trelevan, this dynamic duo will have you longing for more of their soulful, melodic and sometimes haunting tunes.