Posted 12:05pm Updated 4:04pm
Musicians Florent Vollant and Mathieu Mckenzie (Maten) on Tuesday evoked a new “cultural coexistence” and a different form of reconciliation, urging the CRTC to introduce a 5 percent quota for Indigenous music on Canadian commercial radio stations. Chiefs Ghislain Picard of the Quebec-Labrador First Nations Congregation and Mike Mckenzie of Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam stood with them to support the motion.
“We are not heard enough. Currently, the stations are not obliged to let us play, recalled Mathieu Mckenzie, specifying that only the Quebec chains affiliated with Radio-Canada broadcast local music. Imposing a quota is the only way to ensure a minimum presence of Aboriginal music on commercial radio airwaves. »
The request, described by Florent Vollant as “legitimate”, aims to break a silence that has lasted for more than 30 years. In 1989, he and Claude McKenzie enjoyed phenomenal success with Kasthin’s debut album and song, E Uassiuian, which toured throughout Quebec. This dynamic was broken at the time of the Oka crisis in 1990, recalled Mathieu Mckenzie, Florent Vollant’s son. No other aboriginal artist since has known such an influence.
Rapper Samian finds it “ironic” to say the least that Florent Vollant still has to fight this fight 30 years after Kasthin’s success, but also says that he finds this commitment very beautiful. He also believes it is legitimate to demand a quota from the CRTC, having himself observed that when the radios played a play in which he sang in French with Loco Locass 15 years ago, the door was closed when he saw Les nomades, a duet, presented with Shauit because of the passages in Innu and Anishinaabemowin.
But the curiosity is there, according to the group that created the briefing. A consultation conducted in September 2022 with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people surveyed found that 95% of them felt that Aboriginal music did not take up enough space on the commercial airwaves and that a quota was necessary. Almost 82% also said they agreed with the 5% airtime demanded by Aboriginal representatives.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Mike Mckenzie, Mathieu Mckenzie, Florent Vollant and Ghislain Picard
Clear support
Those numbers show popular support, according to chef Ghislain Picard, who believes music is an important tool for bringing people together. “We talk a lot about reconciliation, and we should also be talking about musical reconciliation,” agreed Chief Mike Mckenzie of the Innu community of Uashat Mani-utenam. Words, as beautiful and sincere as they are, can never replace concrete actions. »
Native music has its place in the hermetic universe of commercial radio. It is not a threat to francophone music and even less so to anglophone music.
Mike Mckenzie, chief of the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam
Mathieu Mckenzie of the Makushan Musique label, which is devoted to Aboriginal artists, specifies that the required quota of 5% Aboriginal music must be interpreted impartially. “We don’t just defend those who chant in indigenous languages. We must not forget that there are communities in western Canada that have lost their language. All they can do is sing in English,” he says.
“We’re not splitting, we’re split enough as it is. Indigenous artists who sing in English, in French or in their language, we defend them, emphasizes the musician and record producer, because we have come a long way. »
Émile Bilodeau, artist friend and Aboriginal cause ally, gave a short and emotional speech at the unveiling of the memoir. “In Quebec, we are told that we have been colonized and that we must defend our language,” he said. There are 11 indigenous languages on the territory of Quebec wearing artificial respirators and there are still people who believe that giving our indigenous brethren a little space will not save French! »
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Emile Bilodeau
The problem of Aboriginal music ratings on the airwaves goes far beyond the positive impact it could have on artists and their careers, Mathieu Mckenzie points out. “The impact would not only be on the music, but also on the pride of the indigenous people. When Quebec locals hear a Scott-Pien Picard on the radio, they feel proud. We wanted to erase each other so badly throughout history that we need to be acknowledged. We’ve come a long way,” he recalls.
Our children find it difficult to be proud. They are shy, they have their heads down. The music will help them get proud again.
Matthew McKenzie
The CRTC has acknowledged receipt of the letter to La Presse. “We have advised the drafters and representatives that in order for the CRTC to consider it, this brief must be submitted to us as part of a consultation process. We will raise these issues in particular in the forthcoming consultations related to Bill C-11 (if the bill receives royal assent) and the joint development of Aboriginal broadcasting policy,” added the organism’s communications department.