It has been an action-packed summer in Eeyou Istchee, with an unprecedented number of stages featuring Cree musicians providing solid evidence of the growing influence of the region’s music scene.
From August 15 to 17, Chisasibi held the second annual Mailasi Music Festival with exciting guest artists and an abundance of local talent. The festival coincides with the community’s 43rd birthday celebration, which featured a giant barbecue cookout, cake contest, fireworks as well as arts and crafts vendors.
Initiated by Makivik’s council in Chisasibi, led by Raymond Menarick, Mailasi is the community’s Inuit name. Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, the event was once again completely free. The Fort George Rockers, Cree Rising and Into Overdrive served as the weekend’s house bands, each rehearsing over 40 songs to back up the local talent performing 15-minute sets, who comprised most of the festival’s 40 artists.
The festival was imbued with the spirit of the late Brian Thomas Fireman, the Cree Rising frontman who tragically passed away April 19 aged 42. One of Mailasi’s highlights was an emotional tribute set from the band’s surviving members – Timothy Bosum, John Henry Wapachee and Paul Napash – led by the stirring vocals of co-founder Darrel Spencer.
“It’s sure emotional playing on stage without him,” Spencer shared. “He pushed me to sing ‘mahn kiyah’, but I never wanted to sing live. Now, that time is here. I decided that I will do what it takes to release our originals this coming winter.”
Spencer was working on unfinished new material with Fireman before his passing and still checks his late partner’s final texts, which urge him to “keep doing what you’re doing, don’t wait for me.” With so many people pushing him to persevere Brian’s legacy, Cree Rising plan to hit a Toronto studio this winter.
Organizing committee president Dale House called Fireman an inspiration and said he “was like the glue that held the musicians together.” A member of the legendary Fort George Rockers since around 1975, House has backed up so many singers over the years that he’s given up trying to list them.
Some of House’s favourites at Mailasi were Francine Weistchee, Timothy Mayappo’s young family from Eastmain and Patrick Petawabano’s Mistissini band featuring Innu guitarist Gilbert Pietacho. When Fort George Rockers played at this summer’s Innu Nikamu festival for the first time since 1989, House broke the long drive into two days with a stop in Gatineau.
With a record attendance of over 30,000 over six days, Innu Nikamu mixed international stars like Bryan Adams and Aqua with emerging Indigenous artists and extensive cultural programming. Impressed by the event’s hospitality and scale, House said it was a learning experience in organizing.
“That was a long drive but well worth it,” recalled House. “It was something else, with two stages. We’re hoping to get bigger. We hope we can fit everybody, maybe having two venues. We’ll try to organize little events to keep that energy going but keep the main one in July or August.”
Mailasi’s closing band Miigwin have had a busy summer, being booked every weekend of July and August. With a surging popularity since regrouping five years ago following a lengthy hiatus, they plan to record a 10-song album this winter with eight Cree language originals and two covers of Morley Loon songs.
“The highlight of my summer was falling off the stage in Whapmagoostui,” said Miigwin frontman Reuben Wapachee. “It went viral with 1,200 shares. I always tell the guys whenever anything like that happens don’t stop. I was a little dazed, then suddenly I regained consciousness and continued the show – the crowd went wild.”
Performing a song in memory of their “late brother” Brian Fireman, Wapachee could see in other musicians’ faces that Fireman was there in spirit. Already looking forward to the next Mailasi Festival, Wapachee is heartened by the emergence of new festivals and Cree talent playing them.
“I try to encourage the message, don’t let that talent go to waste,” said Wapachee. “Slowly, musicians are coming out – people need to hear them. Festivals are a great way to bring people together. Music has to breathe. There’s unity in it, a really good vibe.”
Cree pop singer/songwriter Siibii has also had a busy summer, from playing in their hometown Mistissini for the Eeyou Istchee Summer Games to several high-profile Montreal gigs. Backed by members of the band Oliver Forest, Siibii played on Mailasi’s first evening after cancelling last year because they lost their ID.
“Of course, with my luck, I once again lost my ID but I’m really glad I made it this year,” Siibii said. “The organizer I spoke with, Raymond, was an absolute sweetheart, like a father figure. I used to make that long drive a lot when I was a kid living in Chisasibi.”
With over two million streams and numerous prestigious awards, Siibii is currently navigating a new recording deal with Ishkōdé Records. It’s the home of artists like Aysanabee, who they played alongside at this year’s Indigenous Peoples Day show at Montreal’s Cabot Square.
“Sneak peek – we recently finished recording a song with Aysanabee,” Siibii shared. “We’re super excited about that one. For the recording aspect, I don’t work with my band. My producer Jacky Levare is kind of the mastermind of the pop sound I live in and favour.”
While a new album or EP could be released as early as November, the project’s first single “YOY” has been an instant hit since it was released in 2022 and promoters are already requesting the next unreleased single.
As Siibii reaches new audiences performing at Olympic Stadium for Pride Montreal (“a dream come true”) and the recent opening of the Wachiya store in Old Montreal, it’s always special to return home to the comforts of aunties and uncles singing along and rez kids running around.
“It always feels more comfortable singing to people who make me feel I belong,” explained Siibii. “To actually see these festivals and know the organizers are Indigenous is super deadly. Being on these stages and seeing faces that look like yours staring back at you is a magic I will never take for granted.”