Mount Currie world music group Kalan Wi has released a new single as a show of support for the Cree youth walkers who recently trekked from northern Quebec to Parliament Hill.
As part of the ongoing Idle No More movement, the young activists wanted to bring attention to the way indigenous people are treated in Canada. "With all these events going on I kept thinking about it and the song came to me," says lead singer and songwriter Leroy Joe. "(The writing) happened over the course of a month or so in November and December. When I write a song it's a rough copy at first and then I fine-tune it. When we released it we dedicated it to the walkers and their journey to support the youth and Idle No More."
"This is our Song" was released last week for free download on the group's Facebook page. The track features the band's signature blend of reggae and traditional music with inspirational lyrics like "Across this great land/ joining hand in hand/ united we will stand."
It was recorded at friend's home studio in Vancouver and Roy says they plan to include it on the follow up to their debut album, Celebrate, which is up for two Native American Music Award next month. "
We have a following of friends that really love our music, so they really like the song," Roy says. "We've played it a couple times live and they really enjoyed it."
To hear the track visit facebook.com/kalan.wi.
