Students Recognizing their Gifts
Jun 6, 2017
On Wednesday, June 7 Grade 6/7 students from Sherbrooke Public School and Grade 8 students from McKellar Park Central Public School will be working with their counterparts from Grades 8, 9 and 10 from Sir Winston Churchill Collegiate and Vocational Institute at a special workshop led by Shibastik, an accomplished painter, lyricist, and hip hop artist. The students and the artist will be sharing artwork, music and stories as well as teachings about songwriting and self-expression.
“Shibastik will also be talking about art as therapy and being used as a healthy coping mechanism, as well as the importance of recognizing your gifts and nurturing them,” says Dave Isherwood, Principal of Sir Winston Churchill Collegiate and Vocational Institute. “We are very fortunate and pleased to welcome him back to our community and we know that he will have a profound positive influence on the participating students.”
Inspired by life as a Cree hunter on the James Bay Lowlands, Shibastik’s music and art promote awareness and appreciation for both the land and First Nation culture. At the forefront of Canada’s Native hip hop movement, Shibastik began producing music independently in 1998. Then in 2002, he landed a spot on a tv series called First Music and Arts, making him one of the first Native hip hop artists to appear on national television. Since then, he has toured across Canada and the US and has developed a huge fan base.
“My goal is to inspire all youth to strive to live with respect and love, to be honest and to seek the truth, to work to gain wisdom and to have the courage to stand by their beliefs and morals,” says Shibastik. “With humility, I remind each and every one that we are all equal in the eyes of the Creator and we have all been blessed with our own gifts. I hope to leave a positive impression that will last a life time.”
Shibastik will be attending the “It Takes a Village” Community Showcase on Saturday, June 10 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Vale Community Centre. Hosted at Vale Community Centre this event will be an opportunity for our community to celebrate strength, potential and partnership. The afternoon will be filled with free food, face painting, a community expo and more. Shibastik will also be performing for a free concert.
