Native music video looks at addiction

The release of Step By Step, a new music video by the University of Saskatchewan and the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation, coincides with National Addictions Awareness Week.

The video is a collaboration with U of S faculty member Colleen Dell and musicians Eekwol (Lindsay Knight) and Joseph Naytowhow.

The theme of the song is devoted to the important role of treatment professionals and Aboriginal culture in the healing of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people from addictions.

Also involved were elder Campbell Papequash and more than 30 service providers.

“Working with such compassionate and creative individuals in the addictions field was inspiring” Eekwol said in a release. “It made my job of coming up with the song’s lyrics natural.”

The creators describe the song as a unique mix of Naytowhow’s traditional aboriginal style and rhythm alongside Knight’s contemporary sound and hip-hop inspired approach.

“The song is indeed a great way for service providers to connect with other service providers, but it is also to remind our clients that they are not alone on their healing journeys,” Saskatoon service provider Jennifer Brockman said.

The music video is now available on YouTube at www. tinyurl. com/ StepByStepSongWatch. You can download the song for free on Bandcamp, www.tinyurl. com/StepByStepSongDownload, and visit the website for more information at www. tinyurl. com/ StepByStepSong.