SGI Solstice Speaker Series: Music and Reconciliation

Join the Friends of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum for an evening of music and reflection featuring artists from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum’s Songs 4 Nature program. Several artists will perform and discuss the program as well as their influences with host Nelson Bird. The program contributes to wellbeing through nature connection, while fostering reconciliation and healing.

The evening includes:
• Raven Reid
• Jovan Larre
• Dale MacArthur
• Dave Grandel

Songs 4 Nature’s evolution draws its creative forces from an intentional connection to nature and helps established and aspiring musicians hone their songwriting skills. Tea and bannock will be served.

Indigenous folk singer songwriter Raven Reid was born in Yellowknife, NWT with genealogical ties to Mikisew First Nation, Alberta. She started writing short stories at the age of 6 and taught herself how to play the guitar in later years. As a self-taught musician, turning her poems and short stories into music was a natural progression into becoming the performer that she is today.

Jovan's entire life has revolved around music. As a toddler, you’d find her rocking in a chair, rhythmically entranced by the sounds spinning off her parents’ vinyl collection. Forced piano lessons in childhood barely made a spark, but when her dad gave her that first guitar, the fire was ignited. Over the years Jovan has graced many stages in and around her hometown of Saskatoon, SK in a range of bands crossing a spectrum of genres. Beneath it all, a driving rhythm keeps her on solid ground. Up front and center, there’s a solitary voice with confidence in its vulnerabilities. Jovan is currently in the studio working on her debut album, scheduled for release in early 2025.

Dale Mac is a Singer/Songwriter/Producer from White Bear First Nation, Saskatchewan. The storytelling in his lyrics and driving music are both backed by his soulful and energetic guitars. Whether it’s acoustic roots in intimate venues, amp driven blues, or rock based stage shows, Dale’s guitar writing is also the energy behind his range of songwriting. He has two releases under his belt and new songwriting stories that engage his language, culture, and more of his guitar driven storytelling.

Dave Grandel is a singer/songwriter from Regina, SK. Steeped in the music of the last seven decades, he’s a musical “old soul” who enjoys nearly all music except rap and opera.  He’s written songs for over 30 years but only seriously for the last decade, or so.  

Songs4Nature is his musical home away from home and is highly anticipated whenever it comes along! He is looking forward to the next decade or so wherein he plans to release some of his original songs, as well as continue privately teaching guitar, bass, cigar box guitar, ukulele, mandolin, violin and trying to make sense of the piano and banjo.

Events at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum may be photographed or recorded on video. By attending this event, you are giving permission to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and the Friends of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum to use photographs or videos that may contain your likeness for promotional purposes. Photographs or videos may be shared in print material, on the website for the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, or on social media. Please identify yourself to our photographer or registration staff if you do not wish to be photographed.

The SGI Solstice Speaker Series is an opportunity to learn more about the rich and diverse voices, experiences and our shared history. Built around the natural calendar, the four-part Indigenous speaker series provides an opportunity to reflect on the emotion and changes that happen each season. Topics are current, thought provoking, and designed to create active participation towards Truth and Reconciliation.