There are many things wrong happening in the world, but there are also outstanding ones. And one of them is Nadine Gagne and her work with Indigenous children in British Colombia. In the past months, hundreds of children were found in unmarked graves at former residential schools across North America, and still, many people are unaware of when and why this happened to them. Socio-economic marginalization is a vast topic, but it needs to be discussed. Gagne recently launched a song with The Star Collective Nations, called "All Nations" to bring awareness to their community and to call for love for a better and more united world. Jejune had the opportunity to interview Gagne and learn more about this beautiful project, how the Indigenous community has been dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, and much more. Please, keep reading to inspire your soul.

Where are you based?
I was born in Vancouver, BC, and I am grateful to currently residing in Westbank, BC, on the unceded, traditional territory of the Syilx/Okanagan Nation, specifically Westbank First Nations.

You are a Metis Nation citizen, part of the First Nation people in Canada, and your whole career has been dedicated to Aboriginal Early Childhood Development in British Columbia. Could you tell us more about your work, which we believe is also one of your life passions?
Yes, I am proud to say I am a Metis Nation B.C. citizen. The Metis Nation in B.C. has approximately 90,000 self-identified citizens, around 23,000 registered citizens in the province, and is growing in numbers. I have spent my entire career working with Indigenous children and their families interested in early intervention, early childhood, and infant development, focused on supporting children with special needs. My mother encouraged me to work within early intervention when I went on to post-secondary education. She believed our children are our future. If I wanted to make the biggest difference within Indigenous communities, I needed to focus on working with the children from the youngest age possible.

How did you get interested in music?
Many of my friends are Indigenous musicians. When I began working within early childhood in 2001, there were not many Indigenous, culturally relevant early childhood toys, books, or resources. I saw that there was a need to create Indigenous children's music and that it was something I enjoyed doing. I also saw how music and drumming could be used to connect urban Indigenous children and families to their cultures and communities. I began creating music because there was a need to. In 2004-2007 I facilitated Children of the Rainbow Drum Group, made up of 60 children aged 1-15 years. We performed extensively, and I saw firsthand how music could be used as a tool to work with Indigenous children, many of who are in the foster care system.

You recently wrote a new song, "All Nations," with The Star Nation Collective. Can you please, tell us a bit about them?
I'm very excited about this collaboration on this song. I have always been a massive fan of Joey Stylez's music. I have not had much time to focus on my music in the last five years because of the provincial roles I've carried, and I'm also a full-time mother. It was my daughter, Alexis, who gave me the idea to collaborate with Joey Stylez. He was very excited at the thought, and the project grew from there. The Star Nation Collective is composed of Joey Stylez, who wrote, recorded, and helped me produce the song and video. I also asked that his wife, Carsen Gray, and his children also be a part of the project. The other 14 children are my own three children and the children of my close friends who live in the Okanagan and, who have grown up together. Some of the children are Indigenous, while others are from other cultural backgrounds. It was important that the children be a part of the song and video to bring our strong message to those that would listen to the music as they are our future.

Cover of the “All Nations” song, by Tdmgfx Creative.

We are very excited to talk about your song "All Nations." It is so inspiring! We could see the happiness, love, and pride you and the others in the video feel about sending the global message of world peace, love, and unity. What inspired you to write this incredible song?
It's been a tough couple of years for many people during Covid, including myself and my children. I wanted to create something that would inspire those who are hurting or are feeling alone in the world, and honor the Indigenous children who attended residential schools, including those who never made it home. I think, now more than ever, people are open to the message our song brings of world peace, unity, and love. It's needed now in the world more than ever, so I feel that it is divine timing that the song was released now. This song, and project, have also helped get my children and me through a very difficult time in our life.

Who was involved in this production?
Directed By: BLE$$ED STREET Studios
Animation & Editing by: Gaetan Lamarre (Silent Rapids Production)
Shot By: Gaetan Lamarre (Silent Rapids Production) & Stuey Kubrick
Song Info: Recorded at: BLE$$ED STREET Studios & Westbank Studios
Vocals: Nadine Gagne
Additional Vocals By: Joey Stylez & Carsen Gray
Kids Vocals: Alexis Gagne-L'Hirondelle, Kayden Gagne-L'Hirondelle, Weston Gagne-L'Hirondelle, Matisse LaPlante, Keenan Moore, Kianna Moore, Julianna Moore, Nikayla Moore, Kaliko Aka, Kaleia Aka, Noelani Aka, Cash Newcomb, Andrea Flores, Claudia Flores
Produced By: Joseph LaPlante
Written By: Joseph LaPlante
Additional Production By: Jordan Did It
Session Piano By: Rob Gray
Session Drums By: Dark Shawn
Mixed & Mastered By: Graham Smith for BLE$$ED STREET Studios
Mentorship: BLE$$ED STREET

How was the experience recording the song and video with the kids?
It was a very memorable experience for both the children and me. It was the first time for any of the children to ever be in a recording studio or part of a music video production. It did have some challenges, as anyone would have, working with 14-16 children of various ages. We all had so much fun, but the children also realized how much work goes into a music video recording. The children must have run up and down the soccer field about 50 times that day. We were all so tired afterward. Today, the children feel so happy and proud to see themselves in this video and hear themselves singing. None of the children have ever had any professional music or acting training. I believe that is what makes this video so beautiful because it is the children just being children and singing from their hearts. I am so proud of each of them and, most of all, my three children who were involved alongside me.

Do they [the kids] understand the role they are already playing inside your community, calling for a better and more united world?
Yes, I believe the children understand the global message they are bringing to the world because I have talked to them about the message, as well as, their parents have. I have always raised my children with a strong sense of cultural pride and involvement within the Indigenous and Metis Nation B.C. community. My daughter has been chosen many times to do public speaking or presentations related to Indigenous matters and reconciliation, and she has been able to do this from a very young age. The children are such powerful messengers in this song, and I genuinely believe it is a beautiful way for the children in the video to honor the Indigenous children that attended residential schools across North America.

How did your community respond to the song?
So far, I have had very positive feedback from many professional colleagues, friends, family, and musicians. Many people have personally messaged me to tell me that they love the song as well as the global message it brings during this time on earth. Everyone has said to me that the children are all so amazing and inspiring. I feel very grateful and humbled by this experience and am so thankful to Joey, Carsen, and Blessed Street Studios for helping make this video and song so powerful and uplifting.

In June 2021, once again, the news shook the world with more than 700 unmarked children graves founded at a former residential school in Canada. "All Nations" is dedicated to the Indigenous children who attended these residential schools across North America, and it's a call for people to be aware of a current world issue, socio-economic marginalization. Can you tell us more about it and how people can support the Indigenous Community?
Many people in North America are still unaware of the thousands of Indigenous children taken from their families from the late 1800s to 1996 and placed in residential schools. There were many forms of abuse inflicted on them, and many children did not make it home and now lie in thousands of unmarked graves across North America. Our Indigenous communities are still trying to heal from these atrocities as more children's bodies continue to be found. I would encourage people to educate themselves on this dark part of our history and also take the time to learn about the Indigenous people and the Nations whose land they are now living on. People can support Indigenous communities by educating others around them to understand that we have a long way to go to achieve reconciliation with Indigenous people. I would encourage people to get involved any way they feel comfortable. Reach out to the Indigenous community around you and ask them how you can help or support them. People can also wear an orange shirt on orange shirt day, which is Sept 30th, to honor the children who attended residential schools and their families.

Indigenous people experience an unbalanced risk in public health emergencies, which became even more evited during this global pandemic. How did you and your community respond at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic?
I believe, in the beginning, it was extremely scary with many unknowns. I believe that Metis Nation B.C. has responded amazingly to supporting their Nation through the pandemic. They have been able to offer programs and services to assist Metis people with rent, utilities, education support, mental health services, artist grants, Covid vaccinations, and family support. I have been very grateful to the Metis Nation B.C. for all they have done to support their Nation through this difficult time. For me, it has been a very isolating year and a half through Covid with a new baby, which makes things more challenging when you don't physically have people around you for support. This song has been inspirational to me and has given me strength through the past year and a half while working on the project.

The Government of Canada is constantly updating about the Coronavirus and the Indigenous communities here. However, how are you and your community doing now? How have you been staying positive during the shelter in place?
It has been very difficult for me to remain positive during Covid as I've been facing many challenges. I have taken this time to enjoy time with my children and my now 18-month-old son, but I’m also adjusting to being a newly single mom to three children. We have spent our time doing things outdoors, such as going to the beach or park. I have tried to stay connected with people, even if it's just by phone or text.

What's the next step for you as part of this beautiful community?
I plan to apply for another artist grant in order to create another song and music video with the Star Nation Collective. It is called "We Searched for You." It will honor the Metis children who attended residential schools in Canada and those who did not make it home. I want this video to show our strength and resilience as Metis people by showcasing our Metis culture, Michif language, Metis children, and elders, to promote healing and reconciliation within the Metis Nation and with non-Indigenous people.

What is your motto in life?
Live life without regrets. Our children are our future. We must each ensure we are doing our part to leave a better world for our children. When life presents challenges to you - pick yourself up, dust yourself off, fight harder, and keep going.

Would you like to share a final message for the ones reading this article now?
I would ask those, who are inspired by our new song and video, to please share it with others as we each have a collective responsibility to be a part of reconciliation with Indigenous people in Canada. Thank you to Jejune Magazine for the opportunity to share our song and message.

To learn more about Gagne and the “All Nations” song, please, follow the links:
linktr.ee/Blessedstreet
YouTube: youtu.be/ebcrj9oMi0Q
Instagram: @Nadinegagne66 / @Joeystylez

Nadine Gagne Sings for a Better World