Stars aligned to record Skerratt’s ‘O Canada, My Canada’
It was as if the stars had all lined up. In less than three days after hearing Bevan Skerratt’s song, “O Canada, My Canada,” which marked the finale of Roger de la Mare’s play for Canada 150 Arts Alive festival in Knowlton, Donald Patriquin had coordinated a recording session. John Cameron, acclaimed videographer and sound engineer who has a close association with the Cree of northern Quebec, along with photographer Niels Jensen converged on Knowlbanks in Knowlton last Friday morning to transform Skerratt’s home at into a recording studio.
With summer and everyone travelling during holiday time, one would expect a challenge to land professionals such as Louise Abbott, Cameron, Skerratt, and Patriquin in the same place at the same time. But it happened and it is everyone’s hopes that Skerratt’s powerful message within his musical composition will be taken to all Canadians, including First Nations and Inuits and interpreted as a tool toward conciliation and peaceful existence during the next 150 years.
Skerratt, who is of Cree ancestry and is battling cancer, was pleased at how well the recording session went. Within two and a half hours his room had been transformed to a recording studio, and the deed was done. “It was smooth sailing,” he said, adding, “I just want the song to get out there!” Patriquin and Cameron raved at how strong Skerratt’s voice was. “The more he sang, the stronger it got!” marvelled Patriquin.
Patriquin and Skerratt have been friends for 11 years. Until Skerratt had shown up with guitar in hand 11 years ago, Patriquin did not know him. He says that the result of Skerratt’s first visit was a piano/choral version of his inspired “Parking Lot song” which many heard him sing at the powerful healing celebration last winter that Laura Teasdale organized. Of this past week Patriquin says that, “It is hard to believe that a little over a week ago Bevan gave me a phone call and excitedly told me about the reception of his wonderful O Canada, My Canada. His excitement was palpable. In this song he has most certainly given a unique, thoughtful, and courageous voice to his First Nations
community in general and his Cree community in particular. Bevan has given a First Nations singing voice to the reality of Canada for all its peoples born out of 15,000 years of history.”
Patriquin went on to say, “I believe all cultures originate from indigenous roots, and if we can contact that common ground within each individual psyche, we will discover and recover a common life-positive relationship with each other and the natural environment in which we live. It is my prayer that we share this journey together now.”
Catching wind of the Friday morning event in Knowlton, Hélène Hamel, publicist for Abbott, suggested that the recording be released at a special event that will be held at the Canada 150 party being hosted by Stanstead Township on August 5 at 200 Sheldon Road (Route 247) between Fitch Bay and Georgeville. It is an event that is jointly sponsored by Stanstead Township, Ogden, and Stanstead as well as the federal government’s minister of Heritage and Culture.
Hamel says that the organizing committee had already planned on a First Nations song and dance to be performed at the event and knows that Skerratt’s “O Canada, My Canada” will tie in well. She is not sure at this point, however, when exactly it will be played. Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, and MP for Compton-stanstead Marie-claude Bibeau will be present along with Mayor Francine Caron-markwell. The event that is free to the public and opens at 3 p.m. will feature many activities to appeal to all ages. A local talent show, including a musical jam session, a mechoui, bouncy castles, kids crafts, clown, make-up artist, and fireworks are on the itinerary.
It is anticipated that “O Canada, My Canada” will reach the prime minister’s office too.