Tracy Bone
Tracy Bone is an artist who has benefited from winning the NCI FM Jam Talent Showcase in 1998 in Thompson, Manitoba. Since then, she has dedicated her time to music. Today she is a beautiful light in the music industry. Her spirit names are Saskisow (Ignites The Fire/She’s On Fire) and Peta Awanyanke (Keeps The Fire). Born and raised in Manitoba, this Anishinaabe musician has been spreading soulful messaging through her music for years. Her songs are not only catchy and punchy but carry a powerful message that resonates with youth.
Growing up, Bone used music as an escape from her immediate surroundings. She found solace in the melodies and lyrics that she created, and it wasn’t long before she realized that her music had the power to touch others as well. Her favourite selfpenned song, “Woman of Red”, is a testament to this. It’s a song that emerged from her ponderings about her journey as a young Anishinaabe woman, and it’s a song that honours the strength and resilience of her ancestors despite the trauma they endured.
But her music isn’t just about honouring the past, it’s also about shining a light on the issues that our communities still face today. Another favourite original song, “Survivor In Me” carries a powerful message. It speaks about addiction and sexual abuse, and the types of issues that became part of our families and communities as a result of Residential Schools. Bone’s lyrics are raw and honest, and they speak to the experiences of so many of our youth today.
Bone is not just a musician, she’s a role model. She’s someone who has overcome incredible obstacles in her life and uses her gifts to inspire others to do the same. Her music is a beacon of hope for youth who might be struggling with their own traumas, and it’s a reminder that no matter how hard things might seem, there is always a way to survive and thrive.
A spiritual force to be reckoned with, Bone believes in the power of energy and the importance of connecting with others on a deeper level. It’s this spiritual connection that she taps into when she’s on stage, and it’s what makes her performances so captivating.
Despite her success, Bone admits that she still gets nervous before going on stage. But she’s found ways to manage her anxiety and channel her energy in a positive way. She spends time preparing and visualizing her performance, and she also takes time to connect with her band members and focus on the message they want to send.
For Bone, performing is more than just a job, it’s an expression of her soul. She loves nothing more than connecting with her audience and feeling the energy in the room. One of her most memorable performances was at the Boyle Street Shelter in Edmonton, Alberta, in 2017. The audience was captivated by her music, and the appreciation they showed her was overwhelming. It was also her birthday that day, and the entire crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to her. It was a moment of reciprocation that touched her heart and reminded her why she does what she does. If you haven’t heard her music yet, you’re missing out on something truly special.
Rebecca Chartrand,
the CEO of Indigenous Strategy Alliance, is an Anishinaabe First Nations woman from Treaty 4 territory in Manitoba with over 25 years of experience in K-12 and postsecondary education, including the arts. She has a strong sense of pride in her identity and is highly respected for her courage, integrity, voice and vision. Chartrand’s work focuses on bridging diverse communities through reconciliation, anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and Indigenous and multicultural education frameworks. She leverages Indigenous ways of teaching, learning and leading to bring a holistic perspective to her leadership style and purpose-driven initiatives.