Last week the Sunshine Coast had the rare treat of hosting Juno nominee, Prince George musician Marcel Gagnon. His sense of joy and of community make him more than a great musician, they make him inspirational to those who talked with him about his journey through life.
Gagnon played two venues, one on Thursday, April 10, at Chatelech Secondary and one on April 12 at Roberts Creek Hall. While both performances were under-attended, the people who went enjoyed every moment of the show. Not only is Gagnon a good singer/songwriter and twelve-string guitar player, he is an entertainer who draws the audience in as valuable participants, raising them above simple observers. Both shows featured local talent from the schools and the community.
After playing a couple of opening songs, Gagnon told the audience they were probably surprised at the music. He said when most people hear that he's an Aboriginal musician, he says they automatically assume Aboriginal drumming and signing. Gagnon told the audience that all his songs speak of his Carrier heritage and his experiences as a member of the First Nations, but his influences are varied.
Gagnon's music is a synthesis of blues and jazz, folk and big band, reggae and light rock infused with Aboriginal uniqueness, words that speak of his experiences and those of his people and of a fundamental hope for a better future.
Before his performance on Thursday, Gagnon spoke to a small group of educators and school counsellors at Kinnikinnick Elementary School. With them, he explored a bit of his past and how he's overcome a variety of challenges. In doing so, he wants to share what he's learned with teachers, students and the community. Gagnon has fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and he's not afraid to say so. He's also not hesitant in talking about the fact that he is one of 20 children and a product of the residential school traumatic after-effects. When he speaks about these things, he says he does so hoping he can make a difference to others by sharing his knowledge and experiences. While he often talks with young people about the dangers of self-destructive or unhealthy choices, his talk with the small group last week was more of a conversation. He spoke about his FASD and how it took him years of concentrated effort to use his particular challenges by channeling them into his music and also by using his music to transform his FASD into a positive.
Donna Schmirler, School District No. 46 counsellor, wanted to know how Gagnon saw the connection between his FASD and the melodies he heard in his head and the music he made. Gagnon said the interesting thing for him is that he plays music to a three count, which he says used to throw off other musicians. Gagnon said it's also strange because "in the Native world, we count in four - honouring the four directions." He told Schmirler he counts himself as one of the four and puts himself in the centre so he won't miss the beat.
Also at Kinnikinnick were Dawn Bauman, special education assistant, Helen Blank, Grade 2/3 teacher, Margot Stolz, Aboriginal support worker, Kerry Mahlman, principal of district Aboriginal programs and services, and retired doctor Rand Rudland who was instrumental in bringing Gagnon to the Coast.
The opening act for Gagnon Roberts Creek show was Nikki Weber's group of Chatelech students called Metamorphosis who sang beautifully.
Performing with Gagnon were Karen Graves (also in a band called Soul Train) who played sax, flute, clarinet and vocals; Curtis Abriel on bass guitar and vocals and Mike Vigano, lead guitarist. Also part of the ensemble was 12-year-old Acacia Slingerland, who accompanied Gagnon on two songs, and local First Nations drummers and singers Janet Panic and Delphine Snakeskin.
