By Will McGuirk
Adam Sturgeon has changed the name of his music project to reflect his own family history. The Anishinaabe community worker, activist and artist, is considered non-status as his grandfather, a residential school survivor, terminated his Indian Status which was a requirement to join the Canadian Armed Forces. Sturgeon’s exploration of his Indigenous identity within and without, informs the upcoming EP, ‘1, 2, 3, 4, 500 Years,’ which will be available (appropriately enough) on You’ve Changed Records.
The first track ‘Find a Home” has been released with a video directed by Olde Nightrifter aka Eyin Sof.
Sturgeon had previously explored his grandfather’s life on the Polaris Prize long listed ‘Warrior Down.’
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“It is within the small and simple things that we find ourselves. On a long drive, a quick walk down to the river, or cooped up in silence at home. It is in our language and in our names. When I started making this music, I didn’t know a whole lot about myself or who I was. Métis, they would call me. Part Ojibwe. Part this or that. Which part? Same old story for the mixed breeds. Never saw my true reflection staring back at me.
On those long and lonely drives between tour stops, you can see life move but you only get a dusty windshield of a view. The occasional flat lets ya stop to peak the landscape. A snowstorm lets you know its history. These things shape you, give you ‘experience’. I’ve seen a lot of gas stations, no doubts there: informed.
Giving the time and reflection to do my best is what it comes down to. That, and driving overnight. Sometimes our best hurts. Hurts ourselves, hurts others. It always hurts you when it hurts someone else by the way. And so at night, out there ... nowhere, I’ve touched down and untangled the black roots of this strawberry heart. There were things I couldn’t see around the corner, not on this dark road. Not even on the brightest prairie day. At night, on the road, on and off stage I fill myself. Wake up new, on a floor, on the move, anywhere.
Music has helped me when I can’t find answers. For a long time I didn’t know where we were driving, and I mean all of us. This road put my mind together and maybe we all can too. Find a new way. Until then, I keep filling the tank. Reclaimed …” - Adam Sturgeon, Status/ Non Status