Jaime Battiste, Cape Breton—Canso—Antigonish
“It is National Indigenous History Month. I want to celebrate The Relatives, a Mi'kmaq rock band that has been playing music and helping their community for 40 years.”
“Mr. Speaker, June is National Indigenous History Month, and I want to acknowledge the history I witnessed on Saturday when Mi’kmaq rock icons The Relatives took to the stage to celebrate their 40th anniversary as a band. Tom Johnson, Stan Johnson, Derek Johnson, Darren Stevens, Robert Stevens and Tom Sylliboy have been playing crowd-pleasing get-up-and-dance music across Cape Breton and Mi’kma’ki for four decades. With great original songs like Nutepaqn, Kweji’juow and Perfect Love Song, The Relatives are pioneers in singing songs in the Mi’kmaq language. Not only are The Relatives talented musicians, but they have been exemplary members of the community, volunteering, mentoring, or performing for local causes. They have had deep and lasting impacts that reach far beyond their music. In some circles, the longevity of the band has earned them the moniker of the “Mi’kmaq Rolling Stones”. I am proud to recognize them. [Member spoke in Mi’kmaq and provided the following text:] Welukweyoq aq weltaql. [Member provided the following translation:] You are doing great, and the music sounds great. [English] I thank them for their 40 years of excellence.”
Mr. Speaker, June is National Indigenous History Month, and I want to acknowledge the history I witnessed on Saturday when Mi’kmaq rock icons The Relatives took to the stage to celebrate their 40th anniversary as a band. Tom Johnson, Stan Johnson, Derek Johnson, Darren Stevens, Robert Stevens and Tom Sylliboy have been playing crowd-pleasing get-up-and-dance music across Cape Breton and Mi’kma’ki for four decades. With great original songs like Nutepaqn, Kweji’juow and Perfect Love Song, The Relatives are pioneers in singing songs in the Mi’kmaq language. Not only are The Relatives talented musicians, but they have been exemplary members of the community, volunteering, mentoring, or performing for local causes. They have had deep and lasting impacts that reach far beyond their music. In some circles, the longevity of the band has earned them the moniker of the “Mi’kmaq Rolling Stones”. I am proud to recognize them. [Member spoke in Mi’kmaq and provided the following text:] Welukweyoq aq weltaql. [Member provided the following translation:] You are doing great, and the music sounds great. [English] I thank them for their 40 years of excellence.