By Will McGuirk

“"I teach at an elementary school in Beachburg, Ontario. My grades 6/7 and 7/8 classes are looking for ways to continue with ideas from the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We heard the song Walk With Me by Adrian Sutherland and decided to reach out," wrote Steve Pritchard.”

“Throughout the 20th century many Inuit families recall the Royal Canadian Mounted Police deliberately killing sled dogs to force Inuit into government run settlements, ‘Put ‘Em Down’ is about this sad story and about the effort to put us as a people down and erase our culture. A truth many do not know a lot about because it has been kept so quiet” - Josh Qaumariaq, the Trade-Offs

“It's a reflection of not just myself, but of an entire community of young people who lack access to mental health resources, cultural resources, and positive role models - where young First Nations folks just want to escape their realities in exchange for Oblivion.” - Evan Redsky

By Will McGuirk

Its an uncomfortable place we find ourselves in, under, holding our breath, we are our own bubble, above, hope is just the slightest change in hue on the surface, hazy, mirage, a promise weak as water, but we must turn to this maybe as we know the darkest darkness lies still below. We must rush towards the surface for air, for rebirth, for a new becoming.

“Producing this song was a bit of a challenge to hone in on really feeling underwater, I also essentially looped the main guitar to portray the vicious cycle of anxiety with constant additions to reflect and parallel the textures of the sea and the abstract nature of feeling underwater.” - Edwin Rapheal

<a href="https://piqsiq.bandcamp.com/track/coventry-carol">Coventry Carol by PIQSIQ</a>

“Essentially, this song is about the low expectations that people have of those that don’t follow or fit the status quo, and how I’ll push to overcome those doubts and surpass those expectations. The 'occasion' is my downfall, and in this song, I fight its existence,” - Haviah Mighty

"“Emergency To Emergency" is an attempt to express and reflect on some of the anxiety and profound sense of isolation so many people are experiencing at this time…” – Greg Tilson, co-composer for The Gertrudes

jgtilson · Emergency To Emergency

““Enemy” was written a few months ago at a time when it seemed like the world had never been more divided. It’s about falling apart from someone you love, hoping that through your differences you can still find compassion and common ground. “ - Craig Strickland