MMIWG music video filmed in Eskasoni First Nation

Myles Goodwyn collaborated with Mi'kmaw singer Kalolin Johnson for the song Darling Where Are You.

Myles Goodwyn of April Wine collaborated with the Mi'kmaw community to raise awareness

Oscar Baker III CBC News Posted: May 28, 2022 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: May 28, 2022

Lorraine Whitman, president of the Native Women's Association of Canada, left, Kalolin Johnson, centre, and Deedee Austin, right, take part in a music video filmed in Eskasoni First Nation. (submitted by Arnold Sylliboy )

Eskasoni First Nation members will be featured in the latestmusic video for Myles Goodwyn of the Canadian hard rock band April Wine.

April Wineformed in Halifax and was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

Goodwyn said hewanted a way to amplify Indigenous voices around the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls issue. The song, Darling Where Are You,centres around the pain of missing a loved one.

For theproject, he collaborated with Kalolin Johnsonto sing and translate lyrics into Mi'kmaw.

Myles Goodwyn poses with students from Eskasoni Elementary school. (submitted by Arnold Sylliboy )

"It was brilliant and it was so much fun," said Goodwyn, 73, who is based in Halifax.

"I don't know the Mi'kmaw language ... but it was a very special experience working with KaloJohnson."

Johnson saidit was a joy to work with Goodwyn. Now 22, she has been singing since she was nineand is fluent in the Mi'kmaw language. She saidsinging is part of her identity and is honoured each time she sings in her language.

Indigenous women more likely to face violence in their lifetime, says new report

Building a groundswell: Events pay tribute to MMIWG on national day of awareness

When she was approached to collaborate on thisproject and heard it dealt with raising awareness aboutviolence against Indigenous women, she knew she wanted to be a part of it.

"The start for awareness and change it begins with in us so we can help the health and safety of our nations," said Johnson.

She saidshethinks the video is special because it features her community.

Community members from Eskasoni First Nation adorned in regalia as they take part in the latest music video for Myles Goodwyn's "Darling Where Are You," song. A song hoping to raise awareness about murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls. (Submitted by Arnold Sylliboy )

The music video was filmed over two daysin Sydney, N.S., and Eskasoni First Nation.

Eskasoni is nestled between mountainsand Bras d'OrLake, and the video was filmed on Goat Island on the edge of the reserve. Community members wereadorned in regaliaand traditional items to take partin the music video.

Johnson saidthat's all special for her community.

"You get to see a piece of yourself in those videos," said Johnson.

Goodwynsaid his experience in Eskasoni was beautiful and the people werekind.

The four and a half minute song will be released as part of Goodwyn's next album Long Pants,which dropsJune 23. The musicvideo isset to come out June 21 on YouTubeduring NationalIndigenous Peoples Day.

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News

Corrections and clarifications|Submit a news tip|

MMIWG music video filmed in Eskasoni First Nation

Myles Goodwyn of April Wine collaborated with the Mi'kmaw community to raise awareness

Related Stories