Last Monday I went to see the show by Émile Bilodeau and his guests at the FrancoFolies de Montréal.
I came away changed.
Along with thousands of people, I witnessed a great musical performance. Émile Bilodeau sang his greatest hits and invited local artists to perform with him.
He dedicated his show to Joyce Echaquan.
Scott-Pien Picard, Laura Niquay, Elisapie Isaac, the Maten Group, Émile Bilodeau and his band proved to us that mixing cultures is so powerful.
I’m not a big fan of music shows but this time was different. For the first time I felt what young Justin Bieber fans can feel. I was swept away like never before to the sound of Scott-Pien Picard’s guitar. Elisapie Isaac’s throat singing thrilled me more than anything else.
I already knew it but this show reminded me that we have missed the richness of Aboriginal cultures for too long.
Nutritious for everyone
During the show, Émile Bilodeau suggested the following idea: Why not teach young people an Aboriginal language in primary and secondary school?
I didn’t think it was crazy. Like Émile, I believe that non-Aboriginal people, young and old, would benefit from more exposure to Aboriginal cultures.
Interest in these languages, this music, these forms of artistic expression is enriching for everyone. As we become aware of the range of experiences that this exchange can enrich us with, we wrinkle our noses in ignorance.
More aboriginal music on the radio, more representatives of the 11 aboriginals of Quebec on television, for example, it seems to me that it is not complicated.
We all have to win!
