Music provides solidarity in time of difficulty

When musician Sean Hogan heard Leonard Bearshirt from the Siksika First Nation speak about the devastation and loss people on the reserve were suffering as a result of the flooding of the Bow River in Southern Alberta, he wanted to do something.
“I felt overwhelmed and wondered what I could do to help,” he said. “I decided to do what I do best. Write a song.”

Hogan met Bearshirt and witnessed firsthand the damaged homes, displaced people and the need for basics, such as drinking water. Just after the flood, there was little being done to assist the Siksika people, says Hogan. Through his song, Hogan hopes to publicize the opportunity to support their cause.
“I hope to pique people’s interest of what needs to be done,” he said.

Together with drummer Leonard Bearshirt, his band, Spirit Horse, and 10 powwow dancers, Hogan performed his song, Come Hell or High Water (See What Love Can Do), closing out the Pre-Festival Boots on Stage concert that led up to the evening Flood Aid Concert at McMahon Stadium. The free side stage featured a line-up of local musicians including Matt Masters, the Kirby Sewell Band,and Bill Downie and the Blues Devils.

Over 24 musicians, including drummer Bearshirt, contributed to the recording of Hogan’s flood song.  Hogan is no stranger to giving back to the community having raised money for charitable causes in the past in collaboration with other musicians.  In this spirit, he is donating proceeds from downloads of his song from either iTunes or his website: www.seanhogan.net.  Hogan, who has also created a video, says he hopes to have a healthy cheque for The Calgary Foundation’s Flood Rebuilding Fund, which he would like to see going directly to affected Treaty 7 Nations.

Following the free Pre-Festival Stage, over 30,000 concert goers gathered at McMahon Stadium on a rare hot mid-August evening for an outdoor concert, billed as the largest ever in Calgary history. Emceed by comedian Brent Butt of Corner Gas fame, the all-star line-up included performers Bachman Turner Overdrive, Loverboy, Jann Arden, the Sadies, Matthew Good, Colin James, and Ian Tyson.  Mayor Nenshi was on hand to thank those who volunteered for their spirit of compassion. All ticket proceeds and food and beverage and t-shirt sales were donated to The Calgary Foundation’s Flood Rebuilding Fund, created when corporations and donors approached the Foundation to accept donations for long-term flood rebuilding efforts.

Through a social media text-to-donate contest for a flight gift, Westjet raised an additional $18,000.

The concerts were not only a celebration of the invincible spirit of Calgarians, who helped neighbours, friends and communities in the massive clean-up efforts, but also an acknowledgement of the generosity and volunteer efforts of those who put the concert together.

At the end of the evening, a cheque for $1.4 million was presented to The Calgary Foundation. With contributions from concessions and merchandise sales, the total raised is expected to be close to $2 million.

“With that $2 million, we will have over $6 million in the Fund,” said communications coordinator Taylor Barrie.

The Fund will support Calgary and area charities in long-term community rebuilding, including the hardest hit areas of High River, Canmore and surrounding First Nation reserves.

“The focus will be on community rebuilding and unforeseen challenges. We will be working in partnership with other Agencies to not duplicate efforts,” said Barrie. “The support will have a trickle-down effect, impacting people that the charities serve.”

Photo caption: Sean Hogan (last from right front row) creates a music video at Siksika with drummer Leonard Bearshirt (left of Hogan) and powwow dancers.