Performer's songs deliver strong messages

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Wuttunee bridges gap between RCMP and Natives

Metis entertainer Winston Wuttunee is helping "bridge the gap" between the RCMP and Native people by performing fast-paced shows at more than 15 northern communities in Alberta.

The tour is an attempt to create a better working relationship between local police and Native people as well as tackle social problems such as alcohol abuse and family violence.

In an interview from Slave Lake where he was nearing the end of the two-week tour which ended on December 7, Wuttunee told Windspeaker that he was apprehensive about the tour at first. "I had a tremendous distrust of the RCMP," explained Wuttunee, although he quickly added he has never been in trouble with the law.

"I realized then that I had a lot of prejudice and perhaps hate in my heart," says the 47-year-old entertainer, adding that he changed his attitude and view of the RCMP because "they're no different than us ? people are people and a uniform doesn't change that."

Wuttunee, who sings fluently in Cree, French and English, is an accomplished musician and master of instruments such as the fiddle, guitar and drums. But, what makes this entertainer from the Red Pheasant reserve in Saskatchewan special is his choice of music.

"The Suicide Song", for example, is only one of the many songs Wuttunee wrote and recorded, to help people understand "problems that they might be going through."

However, Wuttunee believes people shouldn't dwell on negative feelings. He explained that he tries to get this message across in his performances by balancing his music with a selection of contrasting songs that are both hard hitting and upbeat.

"I'll deliver a terrible strong message about suicide or alcohol abuse in some songs and the audience gets down. But, I bring them back to a happier ground by singing something like 'I was Goosed by a Moose' (a song about a hunter who had the misfortune of bending over during the moose mating season)."

Wuttunee hopes his music will have a positive impact on Native people and "plant a seed" to help Natives develop a better culture identity.

Hoop dancer Ron Manyheads from the Blackfoot reserve and Santa Claus accompanied Wuttunee on the $20,000 tour, which received support from the Canadian government, was co-hosted by the Native Crime Prevention Program and local RCMP detachments.

RCMP Native Policing Coordinator, Corp. Tony Mahone says the tour will help create positive lines of communication and understanding between the community and police.

"We (the RCMP) recognize the need to create better police/community relations in Native communities so we can all work together toward preventing crime," explained Mahon.

Solicitor General Policing Services assistant manager, Allan Phibbs, who was also present on the tour, says the police hope the tour will help dismiss concern that "they don't meet the needs of Native traditional ways."

By providing role models such as Wuttunee, Phibbs explained "the mounted police and community have bridged a gap. It's upon them both now to begin to walk across the bridge and develop initiatives that are going to meet their specific needs."