« Project Description:
The Aboriginal Song Writers Camp will be held this Fall at The Ovens Natural Park, Riverport, Nova Scotia. Starting a long weekend the evening of 25th September through to the 27th September, 2015. This stunning setting puts everyone in direct contact with nature and will take everyone out of and away from their everyday lives. Steve Chapin, himself a musician, singer and owner of The Ovens is extremely happy to welcome the Mi’kmaw. The Ovens Natural Park has had a long-standing relationship with the Mi’kmaw and makes a point to honour the historical ties that exist between them. This camp is open to 12 aboriginal songwriters ages 16 to 25 years from both on and off reserve. Participants must either be in school or want to continue their education in their given field. The Aboriginal Songwriters Camp is for those whose passion is music, who play an instrument, who sing, have already written, or, have an interest in writing songs and performing. Participants must demonstrate a willingness to open themselves up to learning and be prepared to take his or her skills to another level. They must also be prepared to learn how to distill their creative energy into performance pieces. Expand their technical and artistic horizons so they can become a more knowledgeable songwriter. Be willing to express themselves using story telling and poetry. Broaden their harmonic range – using inherent musical methods. This camp will also explore the use of traditional Aboriginal sounds and beats and participants will learn how this fits into popular music.

This camp will honour traditional storytelling and music. We will start by exploring storytelling with two well respected and traditional Mi’kmaq Elders, Jane Meader, Elder, teacher and Mi’kmaq language specialist from Membertou First Nation and Gerald Gould, Elder, artist and educator, from Millbrook First Nation. The Sons of Membertou, traditional drummers from Membertou First Nation and Juno nominees, will take us through their knowledge of traditional beats in Aboriginal music. This will lay the groundwork for an exploration into showing how important the use of ‘story’ is and how the lyrics combine with the beat of the music.

David Findlay will put perspective on traditional rhythms and popular music and how these may be combined. Other singer/songwriters will offer their expertise over the weekend during a combination of one on one; small group and everyone included experiences. From composing through to performing, this weekend will include days spent writing and evenings spent performing on site. The weekend will culminate on Sunday with a sunrise ceremony and naming of the point at The Ovens dedicated to the memory of Steve Michael the first Mi’kmaq RCMP officer in Nova Scotia. This dedication and naming will include a performance by Steve Chapin of a song especially written by him in honour of Steve Michael, a long time friend. Then, using The Ovens Restaurant as a performance space, brunch followed by participant performances will be open to the public. This weekend will be intense in terms of teaching, learning and experiencing. It will be a fusion of cultures with Aboriginal culture being dominant. All the mentors are dedicated and all are excellent teachers and willing and happy to share their knowledge. »

Interested youth should email aboriginalsongwriterscamp2015@gmail.com as soon as possible with a letter outlining their interest in music and songwriting, as well as their current involvement in music.

Visit www.kukukwes.com to read an article about the project.

Posted with permission from Yvonne Mosley