Synopsis
In determiNATION songs three Indigenous artists (CerAmony, Cheri Maracle and Samian) use voice, rhythms, samples and guitar riffs to cut through big ‘P’ politics in order to reveal a vibrant native music scene while exposing the realities and struggles of their communities. As resistance grows across these Indigenous lands, this film about music, art and politics pulls First Nations stories from the back pages and puts them squarely at the front of the stage.
A word from Tënk
The film enabled me to realize there are like-minded listeners and artists who care about issues of injustice in Canada. It was validating! The fact that this project still resonates today is wonderful, as the same issues still require our attention. Our integrity and our strength to stand up and speak the truth is still so needed in Canada. The song I wrote about the missing and murdered Indigenous women had 500 in the title; the number of MMIW in Canada has at least doubled in the time since the movie was made. The situation is beyond horrific. We still need to shine light on this very real issue in Indigenous Canada.
One of the moments that stand out to me as an artist in the film were the masses of people that marched with us to Parliament, the beautiful sisterhood of women honouring our missing and murdered. I can speak to recording with Marc Merilainen, who is such an accomplished, insightful, and respected producer with an intrinsic understanding, being himself Indigenous, that freed me up to explore, as opposed to having to justify or explain. What I love about performing is moving people to understand through song–rhythm, feeling, words–how we got to this point. Words filled with honesty.
Cheri Maracle
Artist and musician
