Wuttunee declines to sing opening song at Olympics

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PEOPLE

Being offered the opportunity to sing the opening song at the Winter Olympics is an honor at which few can boast. But for Winston Wuttunee, a Native folk singer, it is an honor he had to reluctantly refuse.

"I strongly support and believe in the Lubicons' boycott of the Olympics," says Wuttunee. "They are fighting for a cause they believe in, and I feel I am showing my support for them by refusing to sing."

While Wuttunee strongly supports the Lubicons, he does feel some regret at his decision. "I'm very proud that Calgary go the Olympics, but I have to do what I believe is right."

Viewers of the '88 Olympics will be unfortunate not to hear Wuttunee perform the opening song. Wuttunee's music is important to him, and he puts great feeling and effort into every song.

"I was blessed by the Elders to heal wounds," he said. "My music is spiritually healing."

Wuttunee recalls several people who have been helped through his music, including several on the verge of suicide. One distressed woman in particular led him to write the song "I Cried."

"It is a song about a woman I met who was at the point of suicide," he recalled. "But she put her life back together and is now a proud Indian."

Much of Wuttunee's music is based on people and events that have occurred to and around him. And it is that quality that makes his music appealing to such a wide audience, from children to Elders.

With songs such as "Handsome Warrior" or "My Son" Wuttunee has developed a loyal following of his traditional Indian music.

"Handsome Warrior" is a song about a girl who meets the handsome warrior she has dreamed about," explained Wuttunee. "It is a song many young girls can relate to."

"My Son" is about children and how they can grow into great people, people like Louis Riel or Crazy Horse.

The themes of Wuttunee's music make his songs popular among children, who make up one of his favorite audiences. "Children are creative and free," said Wuttunee. "They're really fun to play for."

And what Wuttunee admires in children, he expects from his band members. "A concert is 50 per cent visual and 50 per cent audio," he said. "Because of that I demand that my band be creative on stage."

Wuttunee's band consists of two female singers; Rainbow Bridge, as well as family, all of whom are artistic in some form. His sons are talented musically, his daughter is learning dance and his wife, Laura Calm Wind is a poet and an author.

Wuttunee's heritage is also heavily steeped in music. "I will always remember my grandfather playing Chopin, Mozart and Beethoven on his violin," he recalled.

Like his grandfather, Wuttunee first learned music by playing along with the radio and records. He picked up piano at the age of ten. At 16 he studied guitar, borrowing a friend's guitar and playing along with favorites of that time like "Party Doll", "Green Door," and "White Sports Coat".

"Once you have learned one keyboard instrument it is easy to learn the others," he said. "Likewise with reed instruments."

And with that philosophy Wuttunee soon learned to play clarinet, organ, drums, ukele, saxaphone, banjo and bass guitar. His natural talent combined with an education earned him a Bachelors of Music degree.

Wuttunee is also fluent in three languages: his Native Cree, English and French ? a language he picked up while stationed in Quebec during this time with the Canadian Armed Forces.

"I joined the army when I was 18 on the advice of my school's music teacher," he said. While in the army, Wuttnee played in the military band ? improving his musical skills and travelling extensively to increase his knowledge of the world.

In 1973, after leaving the army, Wuttunee returned to his native Saskatchewan to head a music program at the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural College. While in Saskatchewan, Wuttunee also had his own musical television program, featuring his own music and geared to the general audience with an emphasis on children.

Wuttunee's work in askatchewan earned him a letter from the Saskatchewan Board of Education which named him the finest Indian educator in the children's field.

Wuttunee's teaching skills were also applied in Manitoba, where he taught music at the University of Brandon. But, he taught only for a yera there because he disliked the politics of the university.

In Manitoba Wuttunee met his wife. "She saw me at one of my concerts and just fell in love with me," Wuttunee said with a laugh. "I guess she was just captivated by my charm and fell into my spell."

Wuttunee now lives in Calgary with his family where he is adding to his ten self-produced albums. He is also working on several books and enjoys silversmithing and horseback riding in his spare time.

He hopes to have a television show in production soon and plans to continue touring with his music and inspiring people.

"We were all put on earth with certain qualities," stated Wuttunee. "We have to use these qualities or gifts to help others. I worry that when I am called to answer for my time on earth that I will not have put to use all the gifts that I have been given."

But whether it be through boycotting the Olympics or through healing with his music, Wuttunee is setting an example ? one of helping others.