Amplify Tradition

  • A man, the duties, the responsibilities to grow, to become what we refer to as a man of the Earth … ultimately those teachings come from the land … what we’re witnessing in today’s realities is a disconnection of man from nature.

    Dave Courchene
  • It frustrates me that thousands of First Nations kids are still going through that (Foster homes) today. I know how damaging it can be, and people say ‘you’re one of the good ones,’ and I just take such offence to that because I feel like we're all good, you know?

    Jason Burnstick

Episode 9

Synopsis

Cree musician, singer-songwriter and composer Jason Burnstick is based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba and has won many awards including the 2020 Leo Award winner for “Composer of the Year for Best TV Movie” and is a 2015 Indigenous Music Award winner. The roots of Jason’s musical expression stem from the profound and unique voice of his original 1920’s Weissenborn lap slides and he is also one half of the group Burnstick, a husband and wife duo who released their debut album Kiyanaw. In this episode, Jason sets out to write a song that examines the struggles of reconciling his own childhood trauma in foster care after the birth of his own son. In his own words, he explains, “It frustrates me that thousands of First Nations kids are still going through that (Foster homes) today. I know how damaging it can be, and people say ‘you’re one of the good ones,’ and I just take such offence to that because I feel like we're all good, you know?”

With the help of Elder Dave Couchene, Jason explores the work men must do to become ‘a man of the earth,’ the work to become providers and protectors of their families in a world seemingly set against them. Elder Dave Courchene explains that, “A man, the duties, the responsibilities to grow, to become what we refer to as a man of the Earth … ultimately those teachings come from the land … what we’re witnessing in today’s realities is a disconnection of man from nature.”

The Team:
  • Director: Erica Marie Daniels
  • Producer: Michelle St John
  • Producer: Jeremy Edwardes
  • Producer: Shane Belcourt
  • Executive Producer: Jim Compton
  • Executive Producer: R. Todd Ivey
  • Featuring: Jason Burnstick
  • Featuring: Dave Courchene
  • Cinematographer: Sean Stiller
  • Editor: Peter Kelly, Shane Belcourt
  • Sound and score: Anthony Wallace




Exerpts

  • man playing the guitar

Web Trailer

Cree songwriter Jason Burnstick takes us on a drive through Winnipeg as he considers the challenges of being a First Nations man, of trying to figure out how to be a provider and protector of a family in a world seemingly set against you.

  • man in a field singing

Some Kind Of Hell

Watch the music video for Jason Burnstick’s song Some Kind of Hell. This music video was edited by Francis Laliberte.

  • jason and his sound mixer in the studio

Amplifier

Songwriter Jason Burnstick is accompanied by his music producer Murray Pulver as they walk through the songwriting and studio recording process for Some Kind of Hell.

  • JASON BURNSTICK



    2020 Leo Award Winner for “Composer of the Year for Best TV Movie”, Jason Burnstick is Cree Musician, Singer-Songwriter and Composer based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

    Jason’s many accolades include; 2015 Indigenous Music Award Winner, 2010 APCA’s Winner, 2009 Jessie Richardson & Dora Nominee, 2007 Juno Nominee and finally, 2006 CAMA Award Winner.  Amongst his many accomplishments Jason is also one half of the group “Burnstick”, a Husband and Wife duo who released their debut album “Kiyanaw”, which has also been nominated for national and international awards.

    The roots of Jason’s musical expression, stem from the profound and unique voice of his original 1920’s Weissenborn lap slides.

    WEBSITE
    man standing in field
  • Erica Marie Daniels



    Erica Daniels is Cree/Ojibway from Peguis First Nation. She is an award winning Director and Producer and is the owner of Kejic Productions.

    A Canadian Screen Award and Banff World Media Festival Award nominee, Erica’s most recent film Run As One - The Journey of the Front Runners has screened at festivals around the world, and recently won the first ever Indigenous Film Award at the 2019 Manito Ahbee Festival, as well, took home 2 Golden Sheaf Awards from the Yorkton Film Festival in 2018.

    Along with Erica’s passion for storytelling, is her passion to work with Indigenous youth in her community by reconnecting them to their culture and identity. Erica currently runs a cultural program at the Broadway Neighbourhood Centre and mentors youth in video production. The beauty of her culture continuously inspires Erica's work and motivates her to share the knowledge of her elders for future generations.

    IMDB
    woman standing in red and black outfit

Some Kind Of Hell was recorded at Stereo Bus Recording Studio.

Stereobus Recording opened its doors for business in February, 2016. Located in the heart of Winnipeg, MB, Canada, it is a premiere destination to capture great quality of sound and a vibe that will bring out the best of any musician.

Address: 697 Sargent Avenue, Winnipeg
Website: www.stereobusrecording.com
Filming locations: Turtle Lodge, Just TV City of Winnipeg