BRINGING MUSIC, MAGIC, SONG, DANCE TO THE INNU

Sent by Artscan Circle a non-profit organization that sends musicians to remote areas, Shannon Thunderbird, Laura Bird, Richard Knechtel (Dickie Bird) and Chris McKhool visited the Innu Communities of Sheshatshiu and Natuashsish (formerly Davis Inlet) in Labrador bringing Native teachings, drumming, guitar, fiddle, harmonica, great songs and dance to the children and teachers.

I travelled with three of the best people I've come to know - it was a thrill and a privilege to work with such talented and fun professionals.

 Richard (aka Dickie Bird) is absolutely fantastic with children. He has a massive repertoire of songs.  A quadruple threat: Easy going, Terrific Singer, Great Guitar Player, Magician. Long, tall and gentle, he kept the kids enthralled with his 'on the spot' songs and magic tricks. Nice having a brother even if I still can't figure out how he hid the handkerchief.

Laura Bird, my newest little sister, was our fearless team leader doing a fantastic job of looking after the details and getting us where we needed to go.  She is a wonderful singer/songwriter and guitar player full of compassion for the kids and has a rollicking good sense of humour. I'm looking forward to working with her on a future CD project I have in mind.

Chris McKhool, my other Bro', (was the only one without a 'bird' name so he came to be known as Chris McCaw! - ya hadda be there) is one fine fiddle player and another 'on the spot' songwriter.  His ability to write songs with the kids right in the moment is truly a gift. He and the kids put a song together based on my Clan story (Orca and White Wolf); Chris' warmth, good cheer and willingness to whip out his fiddle at a moment's notice to entertain the kids wherever they were was a joy to behold.

REFLECTIONS:
Overall we worked together like we've been doing it for years. Our music and voices blended, our humanity was in accord,  humour and hugs saved us on a few occasions when the tragedy of daily life threatened to overwhelm. We checked our empathy and egos at the door and brought only compassion, and what we each knew how to do.

The drums were the great equalizer as they always are.  The kids took to them like a skidoo to snow.  It was amazing to watch them working together and singing the chants I taught them and then hearing them say they wanted to start their own drumming circle and create songs in their own language!!!! The heartbeat of Mother Earth (drums) rang throughout the community in a manner I know pleased the Ancestors.

I also brought piles of Native jewellry and Unity buttons that were given away when a child participated. "You do not get something for nothing" became my rallying cry, along with six rules of behaviour, but that's a story for another time.  Suffice it to say the kids participated and had a wonderful time doing it.

Receiving hugs from children who'd never hugged anyone, speaking with children who didn't speak, watching them overcome their natural shyness to sing, dance and drum, just having "Shannon, Dickie Bird, Laura, Chris!!" yelled out as we walked about was music to our ears. I've been on many reserves over the years and I never tire of seeing little faces light up as you approach. It was also an honour to have Elder, Mary join the 'girl' group on Friday morning.  She drummed and was avidly interested in the Medicine Wheel Teachings.

Kids are kids no matter their circumstances. They want to be loved and validated. Many of the kids were experiencing abuse. They were approached with caution, not touched unless they responded with a nod to, “are you up for a hug?” - I could feel them melt in my arms, for a split second they felt safe.

I have experienced this many times over the years; it will stay with me to my day of quiet, the look of tiredness on some of the faces, circles under the eyes, slow movements, dirty faces, hands and clothes. Seeing some of them lurch away if you strayed too close, offering soft words of comfort until the fear receded from their eyes and they moved a little closer wanting desperately to be held. Feeling my own heart swell, as despite everything they were going through, smiled at me, tried to sing the songs and found solace in the drums.

ROCK ROCK ROCKIN' AT SHESHATSHIU!

Richard & Magic on Sunday night	A little pose with some kids outside with Laura and me	Chris entertaining kids outside - Sunday night	Shannon and wonderful Taneisha, who with my camera in hand took all the concert photos	Enthusiastic audience
Richard & Magic Smiling face of Little girl a beautiful to see	Making beautiful music together	Making music with students so eager to play and they were good!	Cool teenagers	More cool teenagers this time with the drums
Fascination with drums	I named them 'Innu version of Destiny's Child' - they sang with us!	Me and my kids	Chris and I on an ice floe - we just had to!	Conducting a great drumming circle

ROCK ROCK ROCKIN' IN NATUASHSISH!

Morning Breakfast Club	Team and Principal, Bob	Richard, Laura, Chris on a walk about	Chris & Richard entertaining at Breakfast Club	Painting Piggie banks in Deanne's Art class
Joyce, Jamie, Sharon, Evelyn, Teacher, Deanne, Laura	Lovely Joyce and Jamie	Beautiful Sharon and Evelyn	Girl's time with Elder, Mary	Learning Harmonica from Richard
Teacher, Penny joins in	Grade 1's made us this fabulous poster	Likenesses are uncanny!	Richard teaching harmonica	Sitting proudly with their drums - Elk Drum on left was presented to Teacher, Deanne to keep for the students to play
Grade one in awe of Richard	In awe of Richard	Chris, Laura, Richard entertaining kids	Richard, Laura and Chris crammed into Twin Otter	Doing an Interview Show for CBC St. John's, NFLD from the Goose Bay studio

Thanks to everyone who helped us along the way, Principals, Randy and Bob, all the wonderful and dedicated teachers; Teacher, Heather for giving up her bedroom in Natuashsish, to Kate and CBC Radio, Goose Bay for following us around and organizing interviews with us and the kids, to Elder, Mary for honouring Laura and me with her presence at the 'girlie' workshop, Principal, David Ferguson from SOLA. Finally, WE'LL BE BACK!!!!

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