Owen Sound, and Grey and Bruce Counties are in for a treat. With screenings in five communities this year, including Canmore Alberta, local initiative Indigenous 150+, brings Logan Staats to Owen Sound on July 14th to participate in a conversation about his life and career following the When They Awake screening, at 1pm. He will also be performing a free outdoor concert on the mainstage at Harbourfest later that evening. Indigenous 150+ is a film and conversation series that was launched in Owen Sound in 2017 as a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to action #83 and #85 to commemorate First Nations, Métis and Inuit culture, and educate Canadians about first peoples history and traditions. The series is dedicated to putting indigenous voices centre stage and July 14th marks the initiative's 4th event in Owen Sound.

On July 14th, Indigenous 150+ event is part of Owen Sound's inaugural Harbourfest, a one day festival for all ages in and around Owen Sound's harbour. Indigenous 150+ will present the Owen Sound premiere of the new award-winning music documentary WHEN THEY AWAKE, by directors PJ Marcellino and Harmon Farahi at Heartwood Hall on Saturday July 14th at 1pm.

WHEN THEY AWAKE, documents a remarkable generation of established and emerging artists which are part of a renaissance of indigenous musicians from across the country who are breaking into and influencing mainstream music across Canada. Working in every genre from hip hop to rock to EDM, artists featured in the film include BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE, ISKWÉ, A TRIBE CALLED RED, TANYA TAGAQ, THE JERRY CANS, LEELA GILDAY, LOGAN STAATS among others. The film takes its name from the famous quote by Louis Riel, "My people will sleep for 100 years and it will be the artists which bring their spirits back."

Musician songwriter Logan Staats, from the Grand River Six Nations, will be participating in the Indigenous 150+ event at Heartwood Hall and featured in the film, was a recent winner of CTV's new television series THE LAUNCH.

Staats single "The Lucky Ones" hit number one on the iTunes chart early this year and has almost 1 million streams on Spotify. Joining him in the post screening discussion will be local musician, Raymond King. Both will speak about their relationship to music and how returning to their cultures has guided their lives and careers. Staats will be performing on the Harbourfest mainstage at 7 p.m., and opening up for him will be Raymond King and his band at 6 p.m.

Music connects us to our soul, to our past, our future. It's a special language that resonates through all creation. -From When They Awake documentary

Indigenous 150+ is a partnership with M'Wikwedong Native Cultural Resource Centre, City of Owen Sound and Good Influence Films, providing a platform for Indigenous voices and stories. Supporting this years' Indigenous 150+ events in Owen Sound and upcoming events at Indigenous Life Festival at Blue Mountain Village, is Community Foundation Grey Bruce with community support by First United Church Owen Sound, Cape Croker United and Central United Owen Sound, Georgian Shores United Owen Sound, St Georges Anglican Owen Sound, Christ Church United Meaford.

The Indigenous 150 + initiative helps create a safe place to engage in dialogue that increases understanding of our shared history between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups, while building mutually beneficial relationships and cultural understanding. - Susan Staves, Member of Chippewas of Neyaashiinigmiing and
Indigenous 150+ Steering Committee

"It's time that the rest of Canada gets to know the first peoples. We are here all together and it's time to share and identify what we have in common" -Senator Ralph Wolf Thistle Métis Nation of Ontario / Indigenous 150+ Steering Committee

PROGRAM INFO:

INDIGENOUS 150+ / OWEN SOUND
Dates: July 14
Venue: Heartwood Concert Hall, 939 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m / Doors Open: 12:30 p.m.

Ticket Price: $15 (+ Online Service Fee) / Door Price: $20
or in person at $15 at Heartwood House (+ $2 Service Fee)
Buy Online: http://heartwoodhall.ca/?events=film-when-they-awake

source: media release