11 Ways to Spend the Summer Solstice and National Aboriginal Day

June 21st is National Aboriginal Day in Canada. What will you be doing to celebrate?

Although we're not totally sold on the idea of the federal government designating one day a year to celebrate Indigenous culture, at least it's an opportunity to check out some amazing performances by Indigenous artists.

And, as June 21st also marks the summer solstice, there are more than enough reasons to get out of the house and show your love for all things NDN, First Nations, Aboriginal, Native, Métis, Inuit, and Indigenous.

There are many different events being planned across the country (here, here, and here, for example), so we were hard pressed to narrow things down.

But here are eleven decidedly great ways to spend the solstice and National Aboriginal Day this year.

11. Learn about Métis culture at the National Aboriginal Day Celebration at Métis Crossing

The Métis Nation of Alberta and their affiliate organization, Métis Crossing, will be hosting a celebration for National Aboriginal Day on June 21st. Located at the Métis Crossing Historic Site (south of Smokey Lake, Alberta), between 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM, the day's events will include an open stage jam, cultural interpretation, a genealogy exhibit, games, on-site concession, and an elder’s lounge. For more info click here.

10. See Kinnie Starr, Cris Derksen, and Binaeshee-Quae perform at the Luminato Festival in Toronto

Acclaimed Mohawk singer-songwriter and hip-hop artist Kinnie Starr, Métis cellist and experimenter Cris Derksen, and jazzy alterna-folk artist Binaeshee-Quae will perform on June 20th and 21st respectively, as part of the Luminato Festival's New Canadian Music Series which runs daily at the Festival Garden Stage in Toronto. For more info, check out: https://luminatofestival.com/festival/2015/new-canadian-music-series

9. Watch Kaha:wi Dance Theatre at the Aboriginal Cultural Festival and Competition Powwow in Ottawa

Led by founding Artistic Director Tekaronhiáhkhwa Santee Smith, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre (pronounced Ga-Ha-Wee) is an artist-based dance company known for their energetic and innovative performances that blend traditional and contemporary styles. KDT will be performing as part of Ottawa's Summer Solstice events at Vincent Massey Park. On Saturday, June 20th at 1pm, KDT will perform the piece Medicine Bear, which weaves a magical narrative of traditional Iroquoian stories: how the Bear Clan came to be known as the “Keeper of the Medicines” and the hunter who discovered the gift of healing. Plus, don't forget about the full traditional powwow going on all weekend too. For more info, visit: http://www.ottawasummersolstice.ca/

8. Bring your family for a pancake breakfast at Trout Lake on Coast Salish Territories in Vancouver

The Annual National Aboriginal Day Celebration on Coast Salish Territories will once again be held at Trout Lake on Sunday, June 21st. It’s a community-based full day of events that celebrates the diversity of Indigenous Peoples from across Canada. First Nations, Métis & Inuit peoples gather to share their experiences, stories, songs, traditional games, dances & spirit with each other & the general community. All events are FREE, all Aboriginal community members & supporters are welcome; and it's a family-friendly event, with no alcohol or drugs permitted. There's a full day of activities, but get there early before the pancakes run out! For more information visit: http://www.vafcs.org/events/aboriginalday/

7. Start implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's recommendations in Halifax

Celebrate National Aboriginal Day with justice in Halifax: by joining other like-minded people to support the Mi'kmaq Nation in Nova Scotia, and taking up national calls by Indigenous and allied organizers to implement the 94 recommendations put forth by Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The work of reconciliation belongs to all of us, and Halifax organizers are taking the lead. But no matter where you live, why not start learning more about how you can bring more truth and more justice into this colonial world of ours. Here's more information on how Nova Scotian organizers are gathering and getting started for NAD: http://solidarityhalifax.ca/2015/06/statement-celebrate-national-aboriginal-day-with-justice/

6. Catch Leonard Sumner at the Indigenous Arts Festival in Fort York

Anishinaabe MC/singer/songwriter Leonard Sumner will be one of many performers taking part in the Indigenous Arts Festival at Fort York in Toronto. Fusing elements of hip-hop, country, and rhythm & blues, his music appeal cuts across age lines, allowing his style to be enjoyed by people who typically 'aren't into rap'. Sumner will be rocking the festival mainstage on Saturday, June 20th at 5:30pm. For more information, click here.

5. Join the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations for the Aboriginal Cultural Festival in Victoria

Featuring three days of performances on an outdoor stage in the plaza at the Royal BC Museum in the heart of downtown Victoria, BC, the Aboriginal Cultural Festival will run from June 19-21, 2015. Each day will be dedicated to a coastal nation: there's a Coast Salish Nation Day, a Nuu-Chah-Nulth Nation Day, and a Kwakwaka'wakw Nation Day. All weekend the festival will open with performances from the two local Host Nations and follow with shows from Aboriginal performers from across the province as well as a show from 3-time World Hoop Dancing Champion Alex Wells. Full schedule and info at: https://www.aboriginalbc.com/victoria-aboriginal-festival/

4. Go see Ghostkeeper, Derek Miller, and Crystal Shawanda in Edmonton

Second in size only to Winnipeg's #ADL2015 celebration, Edmonton will be putting on a full day's worth of events on June 21st, culminating in a mainstage show that will feature some incredible Indigenous performers—including the idiosyncratic experimentalism of Ghostkeeper, the full-blown, blues rock of Derek Miller, and the powerful contemporary country sounds of Crystal Shawanda. Definitely worth checking out. For more about Edmonton's 9th annual Aboriginal Day celebration, click here.

3. Rock out with Don Amero, Brett Kissel, and Lightning Cloud in Winnipeg

With his new album, Unrefined, recently released to the world, Don Amero is taking to the Aboriginal Day Live mainstage alongside his buddy Brett Kissel, and Los Angeles-based hip-hop duo Lightning Cloud, to rock The Forks in Winnipeg. Look out for a special rendition of a new song that Amero and Kissel wrote a few months back, called "Rebuild This Town". Oh, and RedCloud will be incorporating crowdsourced words and ideas into his freestyles during Lightning Cloud's set. You don't want to miss 'em. For more on #ADL2015 in Winnipeg, check out: http://www.aboriginaldaylive.ca/winnipeg/winnipeg-live-concert/

2. Get your Electric Pow Wow on with A Tribe Called Red in Vancouver

You may have seen ATCR before, but not like this. A Tribe Called Red will be bringing the electric pow-wow out of the nightclubs and into the park—Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park to be precise—for a massive, outdoor Indigenous throwdown on Saturday, June 20th. This one isn't free, but it's definitely worth the price of admission. The Tribe will rock the spot alongside Blondtron & Waspy, the amazing Git Hayetsk Dancers, and local DJ crew Klash Akt. Get down to the bass-heavy sounds of DJ NDN, Bear Witness, and 2oolman rocking a stage surrounded by the sunset, sea, and ancient cedars. An Aboriginal Day meets summer solstice taste of Indigenous dance music perfection? Sounds like it to us. More info and tickets available here: http://malkinbowl.com/a-tribe-called-red/

1. Celebrate the Midnight Sun in Inuvik, NWT

In Canada's Northwest Territories—the only place in the country where National Aboriginal Day is a statutory holiday—you can experience a summer solstice that lasts well into the night. Join other northerners in Inuvik, NWT on June 21st for a day of events celebrating the local Gwich'in, Inuvialuit and Métis people and cultures. From traditional drumming, dancing, and foods, to a Midnight Sun Run in celebration of the summer solstice's warm temperatures, experience what it's like to be out in the sunlit streets long after midnight, above the Arctic Circle. And that photo above? That was taken at 1:30am in late May. Learn more about NAD celebrations in the NWT here: https://www.facebook.com/Inuvik.NWT.Canada

STREAM: Aspects - "What You Get Now (ft. Ghostface Killah & Cody Coyote)"

This international hip-hop collab between Aspects, Ghostface Killah and Indigenous up-and-comer, Cody Coyote, brings out some head-knockin' ice cold battle flows.

Ottawa-based Indigenous hip-hop artist Cody Coyote's been making a name for himself since dropping his "Warrior" single at the height of Idle No More. He's been making moves in the rap game, opening for established acts and collaborating with some hip-hop heavyweights.

Likely the most prominent and hype of these collabs is his recent contribution to the Snowgoons-produced Aspects track, which finds Coyote holding his own to next one of the illest MCs of all time, the Wu's very own Ghostface Killah.

Listen to them burn it down in classic boom bap formation.

STREAM: Aspects - "What You Get Now (feat. Ghostface Killah & Cody Coyote)"

Get more of Cody Coyote's music on YouTube and Facebook.

DOWNLOAD: A Tribe Called Red - "Trapline EP"

Ottawa's hardest working and most prolific Indigenous DJ and electronic music production crew, A Tribe Called Red, have had a huge year—and to celebrate their success, they've dropped the brand new Trapline EP as a free download for their growing fanbase.

Judging from the avalanche of positive press, including their recent Top 10 of 2012 nod from The Washington Post and their block party rockin' with Diplo & friends, ATCR is poised to keep the Electric Powwow dancefloors filled for many nights to come—and Trapline keeps things bumping. The epic opener, "Braves", is a re-appropriating slice of musical satire that mashes and remixes the Atlanta baseball franchise's eponymous 'war chant' before morphing into a high-energy dubstep throwdown.

Then, taking the pun literally, echoes of distant real traplines slide past into the current microgenre dance music obsession with all things trap, as the EP flows into a sped-up blur of reggae and syncopated beats in "Trap Heat" and a stuttering remix of Diplo's "Horsey". Rounded out with the heavy rhythms of "Unlimited Trap" and the brash, BDP-sampling, synth-driven closer, "No One Out Can Compete", ATCR continues to hold it down like no one else. Get into it.

DOWNLOAD: A TRIBE CALLED RED - "TRAPLINE EP"

Flying Down Thunder Dreams Big with Culture

Kevin Chief, aka Flying Down Thunder of the Juno-nominated duo Flying Down Thunder and Rise Ashen, speaks on the origins of their cross-cultural collaboration and inspirations.

I got a chance to pick the brain of Ottawa-based artist Kevin Chief aka Flying Down Thunder of the Algonquin Nation, Loon clan, about his inspirations for his musical process, how the group Flying Down Thunder and Rise Ashen formed, and his words of advice for youth.

STREAM: Flying Down Thunder Dreams Big with Culture

Cris Derksen and Kristi Lane Sinclair on 2-Er

Electro-cellist Cris Derksen and smokey-folky Kristi Lane Sinclair are pairing up for the second year in a row on a Canadian tour - The Red Ride 2-Er.

With a kick-off party that took place in Vancouver last night, half-Cree Cris Derksen and Haida Kristi Lane Sinclair are now on their way to Toronto and back bringing their mix of music and style to Banff, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg (as part of 8 Days in May, eh!) and Regina.

In a recent interview with Music CBC, the girls talked travel and touring with Kim Wheeler. Like "What is the one thing you cannot live without on the road?"

Cris: Always pack a swimsuit, you never know when you're gonna be in a hot tub or by a lake, and sometimes wearing your undies in said scenarios just doesn't work! Also, swimming is great for stretching those car muscles after sitting for hours and hours. Kristi: Dry shampoo! Most days we would have to spend the whole day in the car and then perform right after. The ability to go from greasy to glam is a pretty awesome option!

Check out the full interview here: http://music.cbc.ca/#/blogs/2012/5/QA-Cris-Derksen-Kristi-Lane-Sinclair-talk-travel-and-touring

And check out the Red Ride 2-er dates:

May 18 Banff AB. House Show! Tanglewood Cabin,208 Beaver St 7pm $10 May 19 Edmonton AB. The Empress. 9912 – 82 Ave 3pm May 23 Ottawa ON. The Mercury Lounge w/ guest Bear Witness. 56 Byward Market Sq. early show. 7pm-10. $8 May 25 Toronto ON. Red Revue @ The Sister. 1554 Queen St W. 9:30pm May 26 Winnipeg MB. 8 Days of May Eh! Marlborough Hotel Hall. $35 May 28 Regina SK. Artful dodger. Doors 7pm Show 7:30. $15

Event details on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/345143342205544/

Artist Call: Asinabka Festival Residency in Music Production

Calling First Nations, Métis and Inuit musicians between the ages of 18 and 30! The Asinabka Festival is offering a one-week residency in music production. Apply now.

Asinabka is a festival of film and media, but they are also presenting a residency for emerging and aspiring musicians and those interested in music production. The deadline for applications is April 30th, so read on and submit soon.

From Residency in Music Production, Call for Applications:

Are you an aspiring First Nations, Métis, or Inuit musician? Are you between the ages of 18 and 30? Do you want to learn how to produce your own music?

The Asinabka Festival is partnering with Sign Star Records, an Aboriginal owned Record Company based in Ottawa, and the Saw Video Media Arts Centre, to offer a one-week residency in music production.  This residency is for beginners and emerging artists, who will learn and work hands on with one of the music industry’s top production/recording software’s.  Participants are encouraged to have a draft of a song, either partially or fully written, so that they can incorporate their own music into the workshops.  After the residency, one applicant will be given the opportunity to continue working with Sign Star Records to produce their music!  Non-musicians interested in the post-production of music are also welcome to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

1. A brief bio: Tell us about yourself! Where are you from? Where did you go to school? Where have you worked or volunteered?
2. A letter of intent (1 page): Tell us why you want to participate in this residency, and how you think you will benefit! What type of music do you play? Do you have a specific song that you’d like to work on?  Do you have any performance experience?
3. Support material: Please submit a demo, a recording of your music, or music you’ve helped produce (MP3 or CD format, or an Internet Link to the works online location).

Email submissions are welcome!

DEADLINE:  Friday, April 30th 2012

For more information visit asinabkafestival.org/asinabkafestival/Events.html.

Artist Call: "She's the One" Competition

The Ottawa Bluesfest is holding a Canada-wide competition for emerging female artists from all genres. Cash prizes and a slot at this year's festival could be yours! Applications are open now - at no fee to the artist - until March 31st. Here's the info.

The RBC Bluesfest is one of Canada's foremost music festivals and in partnership with Boom 99.7 has opened the She's the One competition to support emerging female artists.

Open to female artists of any age in any genre, applicants must either be the lead singer of your act/band or the leader performer in your instrumental act/band. All members of the band must be residents of Canada.

If you have a Sonicbids account, submissions are free (1 token) or you can submit via Surveygizmo (and kudos to the organizers for offering options! So many festivals are accessible through Sonicbids only these days and it's a shame... but I digress...).

From ottawabluesfest.ca:

There will be two categories:  1] Solo (i.e. Singer-songwriter)  2] Band

Initial submissions will be judged on the quality of performance, based on submtted YouTube/myspace Clips, etc. RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest will review these submissions, and three finalists will be selected from each category.  These six finalists will have a 20 minute slot to perform LIVE at the RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest for a professional jury, on Saturday July 7th, 2012 with one winner chosen from each category.

What’s up for grabs?

Winners of each category will receive a cash prize: Solo Category winner will receive $2,000; Band Category winner will receive $5,000!

...Please note, if you are selected as a finalist, you MUST be available to travel to Ottawa to perform at the finals on July 7, 2012.

Please note, judging will be based upon a developed criteria including: performance, stage presence/showmanship, originality, musicality, audience reaction and 'It' factor. Above all, we are looking for a moving live performance both in online submissions and final competition judging.

For more information and to apply, visit ottawabluesfest.ca/shestheoneinfo. We look forward to seeing some of our Indigenous sisters up there!

DOWNLOAD: A Tribe Called Red - "Moombah Hip Moombah Hop EP"

A Tribe Called Red released a new EP entitled Moombah Hip Moombah Hop that takes classic hip-hop on a spin through the style of Moombahton ...and it's available for a free download. The ever-deadly and prolific A Tribe Called Red out of Ottawa, practice the art of giving with this free download of a five song EP entitled Moombah Hip Moombah Hop that mashes up some classic golden-era hip-hop with the dance grooves of Moombahton. Fresh off their country wide A Tribe Called Two Toes Tour with comedian Ryan McMahon, they've released this EP with very little time to even unpack their suitcases .

To download Moombah Hip Moombah Hop by A Tribe Called Red, visit this link at Megaupload.com 

Track list:

Don't Sweat The Technique - Eric B & Rakim (ATCR Remix) Fakin' The Funk - Main Source (ATCR Remix) Public Enemy vs Congo Rock (ATCR Remash) Metropolis - A Tribe Called Red Tequila - The Champs (ATCR Remix)

VIDEO: RPM Talks With A Tribe Called Red

RPM got a chance to interview A Tribe Called Red during their visit to Vancouver for the New Forms Festival.

Vancouver was also the kick-off for the A Tribe Called Two Toes Tour with Clarence Two Toes aka Ryan McMahon in September, 2011.

RPM was lucky enough to get a video interview with Deejay NDN, DJ Shub and DJ Bear Witness, aka A Tribe Called Red, before they left for Alberta on the next leg of their tour.

ATCR talks about being at the forefront of an electronic music movement as well offers some advice for young artists trying to break into the world of Indigenous music culture.

VIDEO: Kool Krys - "Show Stopper"

Here's a great video that came across our desks here from the AB-originals Podcast on CBC3 by Kool Krys.

STREAM: A Tribe Called Red - "PowWowzers"

New track by Ottawa Electric Powwow speaker-pounders A Tribe Called Red was released this week on SoundCloud entitled PowWowzers which features drum group Northern Cree and Ojibwe funny man Clarence Two Toes.

After reaching 60,000 hits on their Soundcloud page, A Tribe Called Red celebrated by releasing a new track that features world champion drum group Northern Cree and a sample of the super funny Clarence Two Toes, giving us another dance floor shaker to move to.

The trio have embarked on a Canada-wide tour with comedian Ryan McMahon this week and are set to hit up several cities and communities along the way. Their use of powwow samples and hard hitting dance rhythms have been doing them well, allowing them to perform at various festivals around the world and to gain recognition from top music blogs and producers.

This new style of dance music is geared to be booming through speakers for a long time, making sure that getting the crowd moving remains the foundation of this group’s success and letting us know that Indigenous music is on the rise in more areas than just country and rap. Their live shows are something of legend and are true to the reputation of getting people out of their seats and onto the dance floor.

RPM had the opportunity to present a performance with A Tribe Called Red and Ryan McMahon here in Vancouver, BC. Be on the lookout for a breakdown of the show and also an exclusive interview with the new Chiefs of the Electric Powwow!

STREAM: A Tribe Called Red - "PowWowzers" PowWowzers feat. Northern Cree and Clarence Two Toes by A Tribe Called Red

Live Indigenous Music Picks - August 25-28, 2011

Hard to believe these are the last shows of August! Live music and powwows are making noise from East to West Coast. Here's RPM's picks for the weekend.

1. A Tribe Called Red August 25 - The Ottawa-based DJ collective brings their electric powwow sound to Toronto, ON, at The Drake Underground. More info: facebook.com

2. Don Amero August 26 -  Métis roots singer-songwriter at St Paul's Anglican Church in Dauphin, MB. More info: facebook.com

3. 2011 International Métis Fest August 26-28 - The weekend of fiddle, jigging and river carts also includes a nightly concert series with Ryan Keplin, JJ Lavallee, Ryan McMahon, 4 Nations Dancers, Patricia Conroy, Jerry Sereda,Norman Cheif Memorial Dancers, Dawn Dumont and even more at The International Peace Garden, MB. More info: metisfest.com

4. Opaskwayak Cree Nation Pow Wow 2011 August 26-28 - Grand entry at 7pm at The Pas, MB. More info: facebook.com

5. Burnt Project 1 August 26 - The 11 piece band plays a fundraiser for their next album at Winnipeg's most notorious art house The Cyrk, MB. More info:facebook.com

6. Kinnie Starr at The RED Revue August 26 - ANDPVA presents Kinnie at their RED Revue series, this time at the TRANZAC, Toronto, ON. More info:  facebook.com

7. Kwantlen First Nation "Mini" Powwow August 26 -  Kwantlen First Nation and the Seyem Qwantlen Group of Companies will host a one day powwow at Kwantlen First Nation Park, BC. More info: facebook.com