Musician blends music with culture

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The oka crisis was a turning point for many people, Native and non-Native. For singer/songwriter Rick Patterson, it marked a new direction in his career.

"I was at home listening to the news about Oka when suddenly the words just started coming to me. First the thunder rumbles, then a flash across the sky. There stands the Great Spirit with a tear in his eye," says Patterson, reciting a phrase from his song, The Message is Clear.

The 33-year-old entertainer from Surrey, B.C. agreed to an interview following

one of his performances at the September Dreamspeaker's Festival in Edmonton.

From the Kyoquot/Ditidaht Nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Patterson was clearly headed for a mainstream career in country music.

At age 16, with the love for country music instilled by his mother and a talent for drums encouraged by his father, also a drummer, Patterson came to Edmonton. In 1980 he linked up with Garry Lee and the Showdown band. At the pinnacle of their popularity the band's album, Rowdy, Loose and Loaded, won double platinum.

Patterson went on to perform across Canada and throughout the United States with other headliner entertainers, Midnite Rodeo Band, Glory-Anne, Lucille Starr, Gary Fjellgaard, Blake Emmons.

The message of peace and spiritualism Patterson now crafts for his own first album, Spirit of the Wolf, are a marked departure from the raunchy lyrics of the early Garry Lee albums.

"I wanted the women, the drugs, the alcohol and to be famous. I don't care about any of that now," said Patterson.

His rich mellow voice now offers a mainly soft country rock sound well received by Dreamspeaker's audiences. And his performances blend some Native influences, drums, chants, war cries, and, in one song, the voice of a B.C. chief simulating a voice of the Great Spirit.

Patterson believes the Great Spirit's voice spoke to him and directed his writing

for this first album.

But the Oka crisis did not turn him into a political activist.

"I won't use my music for that. There are other ways to do things."

He has gone back to learn more about the traditions of his people and he has formed his own recording company and wants to help other Native artists record their work.

Radio shows and school visits, telling of Native legends and teachings, are also

on his agenda.

Through his songs, Natives and all peoples should work together for peace and teach young children to share and give, he says.

"I'm taking a different route and I believe it's going to work."