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CBC
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
How Indigenous musicians give back to community
This story is part of Resonate: Songs of Resilience in recognition of National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day. CBC Indigenous with CBC Unreserved celebrates communities and families through music. Music can be a way for people to dance, to cry or escape the realities of life. For these Indigenous artists, music is a way to be visible, speak out, promote language and identity and encourage the next generation. Artists like Tim "2oolman" Hill and Bear Witness who make up The Halluci Nation (formerly A Tribe Called Red) say they use music as a platform to highlight Indigenous issues. That's especially true for Witness, who is Cayuga from Six Nations of the Grand River, whose mom joined the American Indian Movement when she was in her teens. Some of his earliest memories are at peace marches, or in front of legislative buildings, but in his 20s he started to feel burnt out. "DJing became more and more of a hobby as I grew up," said Witness. "I started using the art as a tool to explore our identities as Indigenous people, our ideas, and the ways that we portray ourselves." Hill, who is Mohawk from Six Nations, said when he joined The Halluci Nation in 2014, it was a group of DJs who'd throw parties for the community. One day, while looking at the audience, he decided to use the group's voice and platform to bolster Indigenous representation in the mainstream. "Just looking at everybody in the building who were predominantly Native and they were just kind of in awe of the whole thing … it was right then and there I realized how important it is to have the representation of Indigenous folk on stage singing their songs, doing their thing," said Hill. Language and identity Jesse James Gon, who prefers going by his stage name Diga, which means wolf in Tłı̨chǫ, is from Behchoko, N.W.T., the capital of the Tłı̨chǫ Nation. He said his family's musical journey started when a local doctor gave his dad a guitar and his dad taught himself to play by listening to Hank Williams. Diga said at first he wasn't as interested in music as his 11 older siblings, but he found a Tom Waits album and eventually developed his own style of guitar. Diga says his next album will be entirely in the Tłı̨chǫ language. (Submitted by Jan de Vroede) His brother David Gon started producing his own music in Tłı̨chǫ and Diga has released albums entirely in the language. Now he's done his most recent English-language album, Trapline, he wants to work on another album solely in his language. "I'm gonna find stories and legends, the Tłı̨chǫ legends… and try to find a way to write in a way where the music is cool but also at the same you're learning the Tłı̨chǫ language," said Diga. For Juno award-winning artist Elisapie Isaac from the small village of Salluit in Nunavik, singing in Inuktitut is a way to give back to her community. She said growing up, the radio was an important way for people in Salluit to "connect with the outside world." Listening to bands like Fleetwood Mac, Metallica, Cindy Lauper and Queen, the lyrics resonated with her. "Having Cindy Lauper as a little girl was huge. She reminded us that we don't have to be this pretty, nice, quiet girl. We can be loud and demand respect," said Elisapie. Elisapie won the 2025 Juno for Adult Alternative Album of the Year for Inuktitut. (Submitted by Susan O'Grady) Her album Inuktitut features covers of classic songs translated into her language. She said she wanted to honour her people's memories of those songs, when Inuit were going through changes and hardships, by remaking them in Inuktitut. "Elders can finally hear it and say 'Oh, this is what they are talking about and this is what it means.' I think it reached them. And young kids, why Heart of Glass meant so much to their mother," she said. Helping others After 40 years in the business, Juno Award winning Métis fiddle player Donny Parenteau from Prince Albert, Sask., wanted to give emerging Indigenous artists, like he once was, an opportunity to get recognition and get that shot into the industry. Parenteau said it was important for him to start an award show that was just for Indigenous artists. "When I won my first Juno there was only one category for all Indigenous artists of Canada, that's when I thought 'How can I change this?" said Parenteau. So he started the Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Association three years ago, which holds music awards solely for Indigenous musicians. Parenteau said the awards show is growing very fast and he hopes other provinces will follow. "I had a young group, rap artists, and they all shook my hand and thanked me for the vision, the belief this can happen," said Parenteau. Parenteau said he wants people to know dreams don't need to die within the four walls of your house. "Music is a gift and it's meant to be shared," he said. Watch Resonate: Songs of Resilience starting June 21 on CBC News streaming channels, CBC GEM, and YouTube.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ed Sheeran reveals he 'identifies culturally as Irish' despite being born and raised in England and describes Ireland as his 'second home'
Ed Sheeran has revealed he identifies 'culturally as Irish' despite being born and raised in England, as he was heavily influenced by his time on the island. While the singer-songwriter, 34, was brought up in Suffolk, his father John hails from Belfast, meaning he spent much of his childhood in Ireland. Opening up on his heritage on the latest episode of The Louis Theroux Podcast, Ed explained: 'I class my culture as Irish. I think that's what I grew up with. 'My dad's family is ... he's got seven brothers and sisters. We'd spend all of our holidays in Ireland. 'My first musical experiences were in Ireland, I grew up with trad music in the house. So I identify culturally as Irish, but I was obviously born and raised in Britain.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The Galway Girl hitmaker went on to say that he was 'really proud' of his Irish cultural roots, and that he didn't feel that he had to 'just be British', as it was down to 'how you feel'. He said: 'I don't overthink it but I do feel like my culture is something that I'm really proud of and grew up with and want to express. 'And I feel like just because I was born in Britain doesn't necessarily mean that I have to just be [British], there's loads of people I know that are half this or quarter this. 'I don't think there's any rules to it. It should be how you feel and how you were raised and what you lean into.' And when asked whether he gets 'a lot of love' in Ireland, the chart-topping star also praised the country as being 'my second home'. He said: 'I'd say it's basically my second home, musically. I'd say Ireland is the place that I am most successful musically.' Elsewhere in the podcast, Ed - who is dad to daughters Lyra, four, and Jupiter, two, with his wife Cherry Seaborn - revealed that he has enlisted 24-hour security for himself and his family amid safety concerns about 'dangerous people'. Speaking about life in the limelight, he revealed there had been an attempted break-in at his sprawling Suffolk home, dubbed Sheeranville, and he brought in 24-hour security as a result. The musician said: 'I do think that there is a different kind of normal that is our business. I have like 24-hour security on my house. I have security with my kids. 'I have security with me. I have security with my wife, just because there have been a couple of weird things over the years that have happened.' Louis appeared shocked, to which Ed added: 'Just so you know there's lots of dangerous people out there. We've had like you know a break-in attempt. 'In my industry, that's normal. That's kind of like an underlying thing that no one really talks about, but that is kind of a part of being in the public eye.' But reflecting on the positives of his success, the Perfect star lifted the lid on his very famous pals ranging from Elton John and Dave to Stormzy. He recalled how he once gave Stormzy a lift to the pub after buying his first car, a Mini, quipping: 'He didn't fit in the back'. He went on to describe his pal: 'He seems like he'd be quite shy but I don't think he is when you get to know him. His humour is very similar to mine.' While, speaking about fellow British rapper Dave, he gushed: 'He's done a lot of production on the new record because aside from being a brilliant lyricist, he's also an incredible producer and writer.' Another of the stars Ed has been lucky enough to spend time with is Eminem, who the A Team star worked with on the rapper's 2018 song River. The star revealed: 'He loves comic books, Marvel movies and video games. I sent him a Nintendo 64 with Goldeneye on it because he'd never played it.' Ed also recalled how Van Morrison once woke him up at six in the morning after a boozy night out with golfer Rory McIlroy. He said: 'I was doing a gig in Belfast and my grandmother had come down to the gig and she loves golf. Rory had come down and she loved being around him. We stayed up super late talking to him, and I'd say we went to bed at like 4am. 'About 6am, I got a call on my hotel phone from the hotel — "Mr Morrison's in the lobby, he wants to have breakfast with you". I was half asleep and half drunk. So I just hung up and I was like, "I have no idea who Mr Morrison is". 'Then I got another call and they said, "Sorry, Van Morrison is in". I ran downstairs and there he was waiting for me and we had breakfast, which is really surreal.'
Arabian Business
09-06-2025
- General
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi announces new mandatory Arabic rules for kindergarten pupils
Abu Dhabi has introduced new rules for mandatory Arabic lessons for pupils starting in the next academic year. The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) announced a new policy that will bring Arabic into every private and charter kindergarten across the emirate, starting from Pre-KG to KG2, beginning after summer in 2025. The move aims to nurture language, identity, and belonging from the very first years of learning. Abu Dhabi Arabic lessons Under the new ADEK School KG Arabic Curriculum Policy, all young learners will receive 240 minutes per week of structured, age-appropriate Arabic instruction. This will increase to 300 minutes per week beginning in the 2026/27 academic year. The new policy ensures that every child, whether a native speaker or learning Arabic for the first time, receives consistent, high-quality instruction during the most critical phase of language development and has the opportunity to grow up confident in the language that connects them to their culture, community, and future. This initiative is timely as research confirms that young children learn languages most effectively and Arabic represents more than a subject, it is a connection to identity, values and heritage. ADEK's recent survey showed that while Arabic is widely spoken at home, many children still struggle to use it confidently. This policy bridges that gap with schools and families working together to keep Arabic alive and thriving. Learning will be engaging, built around play, storytelling, songs, and exploration. The policy outlines two tracks: One designed to deepen mother tongue skills for native Arabic speakers Another tailored for non-native speakers and newcomers This will ensure that each child is supported at their level, whether native speaker or beginner. And with specially trained teachers, modern materials, and exciting classroom activities, Arabic will become a language students look forward to using every day. Mariam Al Hallami, Executive Director Early Education, said: 'This is about more than just adding Arabic lessons. It's about giving every child in Abu Dhabi the gift of language, identity, and connection starting from day one. We want Arabic to feel natural, interactive and alive in every classroom and every home.' This new policy bridges the gap between Arabic learning in nurseries, implemented through ADEK's Early Education Institutions (EEI) policies, and the start of mandatory Arabic instruction in Cycle 1 in line with Ministry of Education requirements, supporting steady language development during the early years. Parents are also a big part of the journey. Schools will share tools and updates, so families can join in the fun, whether practicing new words at home, reading stories together, or taking part in Arabic-themed school events.
Khaleej Times
09-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi mandates 4 hours of weekly Arabic lessons for KG students in private schools
Abu Dhabi's education authority on Monday announced a new policy requiring kindergartens in private and educational partnership schools to allocate 240 minutes (four hours) per week for Arabic language instruction. This directive will start from the first semester of the 2025–2026 academic year, the Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) confirmed. The directive applies to all early childhood education levels — from pre-kindergarten (first foundation stage) to second kindergarten (first year). The weekly Arabic instruction time will further increase to 300 minutes (five hours) starting in the 2026–2027 school year. According to Adek, the initiative aims to strengthen Arabic language skills among young learners while fostering cultural identity and a sense of belonging from the earliest years of education. The move is part of broader efforts to enhance language acquisition and preserve national heritage through early and consistent exposure to Arabic during formative learning stages.
Daily Mail
06-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Indigenous Australian's incendiary message to the nation: 'You're not white'
An Indigenous Australian has said that anyone who calls themselves white is a disgrace to their families. Gurridyula, from Waddananggu in Central Queensland, sparked a race debate when he responded to a comment from TikTok user who called themselves a 'white fella' on May 2. In his response Gurridyula said people cannot be white, which he called a shade, and that anybody who does so has simply forgot where they came from. Gurridyula said he would never call himself black because that does not define him. Instead he calls himself a Mari, which refers to Aboriginals from Central and South Queensland. The whole debate kicked off after one user attempted to welcome Gurridyula to 'my country', Australia, as a white person. 'Sorry don't mind me, I'm just out here looking for your country,' Gurridyula said. 'You know, the white fella one, because I don't see it around here.' Gurridyula said anyone who defines themselves as a colour does not understand who they are or where they come from. 'There is no white fella there is no white. White is a shade, there is no black,' he said. 'You're not white, you disrespect your forefathers by calling yourself a shade. 'You call yourself a shade because you want to give up your ancestors because you left the home of your father's father's to come here for an economic benefit. 'Stop calling yourself white, white is not a race, it is not an ethnicity.' Social media users were divided on Gurridyula's take on race and many pushed back on his claims that so-called white people had abandoned their ancestors. 'I respect what you say [but] my great great grandmother was forced to come here at 14 years as a convict. She had no choice,' one woman wrote. 'We call ourselves Aussies, not white, not black, just humans born in Australia with the same right as you to live here. It's not my land or your land, it's earth, stop being so material,' another said. Others questioned Gurridyula's logic behind claiming that white Australians are not Australians. 'Born in Australia so I am Australian. This my home same as you,' one wrote. 'I'm just a human I dunno where I come from,' a second added. 'The only border is space. Melanin in the skin occurs based on where previous ancestors evolved in relation to the equator. It is an evolutionary trait, not a shade. All lands were once connected as one. Nobody own s***,' a third said. Gurridyula clarified his stance in the comment section of his TikTok where he said he was not trying to make people feel any less Australian based on their skin colour. Instead he said it was the 'narcissists' who tried claiming the land as their own that he has a problem with. 'If you fight to protect nature from destruction then you're always welcome at my fire brother,' Gurridyula said. 'There's no problem with people calling this place home, it's when they narcissistically want me to bow to those people.'
