DOINGHER ARTIST’S DUTY
Iskwé delivers powerful message with music
Iskwé doesn’t see herself as simply a pop singer. Instead, the Cree/Dene/Irish artist considers herself an activist fighting for Indigenous empowerment, with a message that can be delivered in two forms: soulful electronic pop music or public speaking.
She exercised both forms of her art at this spring ’s Canadian Music Week (CMW ) conference, speaking on a panel during the day, then transforming herself into an ethereal, goddess-like character for her showcase concert that night. Both performances were captivating.
No less mesmerizing was her Canada Day appearance on Parliament Hill, where she performed The Unforgotten, a song that pays tribute to the resilience of Indigenous Peoples, and Nobody Knows, written to honour Tina Fontaine, who was 15 when her body was found wrapped in plastic in Winnipeg ’s Red River, and the more than 1,200 other missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada.
The Winnipeg-raised singersongwriter, who performs at the Tweed Shindig on Saturday, spoke about her ever-evolving live show, how to deliver a difficult message, and what it was like performing in Ottawa on July 1.
Q Your CMW concert involved video footage, makeup, costuming, a full rock band, and a throbbing dance beat. What’s your mission with the live show?
A The whole goal is to create this experience for people as opposed to just going to a concert. It’s a part of the storytelling for me. When I’m telling these bigger stories in a hard and heavy way, I want the esthetic and the energy of my spirit to be very forward.
Q It looked like you had some hardcore fans there. Are you noticing an increase in the devotion of your following ?
A It was wild, wasn’t it? It’s funny because I’ve battled so often with the idea that the things I say can be challenging conversations but I really try to have them in a way that’s gentle for people, including myself. The reason I’m talking about them is because they’re problematic and they hurt. I feel like to make change, we have to be a part of the bits that are challenging. I’ve noticed more consistently as we go now that, yeah, the people who are coming are so into it, and empowered by it. .
Q What’s next?
A I have a couple of new singles coming out, starting this fall. They have really awesome videos with them. My five-year plan is to release the next album (in 2019), and just constantly create and be a part of the art.
Q Is political messaging always going to be part of your art?
A Yes, it is. Nina Simone says it best: ‘It’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times.’ The way I interpret that is, once your eyes are open to something, it’s impossible to close them again.
Q How significant was it for you to perform on Parliament Hill? A That’s an interesting one. There’s been a lot of ups and downs in terms of the overall relationship between governments and Indigenous Peoples. The thing that felt best to me is that I was given the opportunity to bring these conversations to a national platform, and the government wasn’t apprehensive of that. So to me, it was very significant to be included this year.