The Snxlhh Transition House is gearing up to host a group of exciting guests from March 20 – 21, 2015. Musicians Inez Jasper (who recently visited Bella Coola to help with youth healing workshops), and Shane Yellowbird will join football stars JR LaRose, Rolly Lumbala, and Will Loftus to speak about empowerment and ending violence against women.
Spearheaded by community organizer Melinda Mack, the two-day event will feature a Funball Tournament and Cultural Night on Friday, March 20, and evening concert at Lobelco Hall on Saturday, March 21.
Mack, who forged a friendship with LaRose since his visit to the community last year and has worked with the Transition House to plan the event in March, said the weekend is about bringing a positive message to the community.
LaRose has toured extensively throughout BC and Alberta spreading his message about triumph over adversity and ending violence against women. LaRose, whose mother is Cree from the One Arrow First Nation, grew up on a reservation outside of Edmonton.
Shane Yellowbird is a Cree musician from Hobbema, AB. In 2007, Yellowbird was named the Aboriginal Entertainer of the Year at the Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards, Chevy Trucks Rising Star of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Awards and had one of the 10 most played country music songs of the year in Canada.
Inez Jasper also known by her stage name Inez, is a Sto:lo/Ojibway/Metis singer-songwriter , record producer, and sound engineer, actress, nurse, and public speaker.
Known for blending R&B, First Nations music, pop music and EDM in 2009 her single “Breathe” won Single of the Year at the Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards (APCMAs). She has released two albums, Singsonggirl (2009) and Burn Me Down 2013), and twice has been nominated for the Juno Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year: once in 2010 and once in 2014. Also in 2014, she was named Best Producer/Engineer at the APCMAs.
A registered nurse and periodic speaker on health issues, for her community contributions the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) in Ottawa named her the National Aboriginal Role Model in 2008.
The Funball tournament, in memory of Renee Tallio, will feature teams standing for someone or a positive message. The BC Lions team will be “Ending Violence Against Women,” while Mack’s team will be “Break the Silence on Domestic Abuse,” and Renee Tallio’s sisters will be “The Funny Ponchos.” Teams are encouraged to sign up and dress up in crazy outfits.
Inez and Shane will be performing a community concert on March 21 at 7pm at Lobelco Hall co-sponsored by the Bella Coola Music Festival.
Mack has been working hard fundraising for the event. If you have donations to offer or would like to help out please call 250 320 4714 or email melindanelson@hotmail.com