TREATY: A Reconciliation Revelry

Friday 10 September 7:30pm // Partridge Hall at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre + Virtual Livestream

TREATY: A Reconciliation Revelry, a concert event produced and directed by Tim Johnson, takes viewers on a journey of varied experiences that lead Canadians through stories of encounter and conflict to resolution, landing on uplifting notes of recognition, understanding, and respect.

The program’s stories and messages, conveyed through video, narrative, and, of course, music, are situated in the realm of contemporary issues and events, but that provide audiences with historical context for understanding Indigenous experiences and Indigenous realities today. Brief film segments featuring Indigenous and Canadian leaders in civil society, education, culture, and the arts speak to the themes identified by a list of definitions of select words, thereby building a story that seeks to pave the way forward for Truth and Reconciliation.

Generating the energy that sustains the production (which in some ways resembles a Broadway musical in its pace and transitions), is an ensemble of renowned and award-winning Indigenous and allied musicians.

Through this engaging concert, TREATY: A Reconciliation Revelry seeks to focus public attention on Indigenous contributions to Canada writ large and their struggle to have appropriate acknowledgement embedded within the conscience of the country.

ALAN DUFFY

Alan Duffy has over 50 years of professional experience, countless Maple Blues Award nominations, and a list of iconic Canadian bands in his resumé including that of Joshua Arden Miller, Jack de Keyzer, Morgan Davis, Carlos Del Junco, and Downchild Blues Band. Alan brings solid performance and alacrity to every musical endeavour with which he’s involved. A factory trained bass professional, you could build a house on the foundations he lays down.

BLAINE BOMBERRY

Blaine Bomberry is a guitarist and vocalist from Six Nations of the Grand River. He’s performed at numerous events and concerts showcasing his talents and joining other musicians on stage, such as Joshua Arden Miller. His style encompasses blues, rock, funk, and anything that captures his interest and gets audiences moving.

JAMES N. WILSON

James N. Wilson is a Mohawk singer-songwriter, musician, and music teacher from Six Nations of the Grand River. He has performed his music all around Turtle Island sharing the stage with artists such as Buffy Sainte-Marie, Derek Miller, Logan Staats, DJ Shub, and many more. In 2019 he released his debut album called Tidal Wave, which was produced by Jace Martin at Jukasa Studios. His single City Lights hit #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown in December of 2019.

JOSHUA ARDEN MILLER

Joshua Arden Miller is a long-time member of the six-time CAMA Award-winning and JUNO nominated Pappy Johns Band. He has performed his brand of Rockin’ Blues Soul everywhere from the gritty honkytonks of the American south to large major music festivals across the continent. Always a treat to hear this dynamic and soulful performer on any stage and with any band, he is regarded by his peers as ‘The Real Deal’ and ‘The Last of the Old School’ musicians. The late great Jimmy Rogers called him ‘The Soul King.’ Josh provides an electrifying mix of blues, rock, and soul that solidifies his reputation as a Bad-Ass Blues Man. He was nominated for the Rising Star Award and was winner of Live Performance of the Year at the 2021 Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards. His first single of 2021, Solidarity, was a Top 10 Hit on Indigenous Radio.

MILES EVAN BRANAGH

Miles Evans-Branagh is a keyboardist and singer/songwriter from Hamilton, Ontario. In addition to his own project, ‘miles from nowhere,’ Miles has spent the last decade performing and recording with various artists in genres ranging from blues, soul, R&B, and pop, to folk, and hip-hop. Miles’ signature soulful sound has taken him across North America and has established him as one of the most in-demand piano players in the GTA.

OREN DOXTATOR

Oren Doxtator, originally from the Oneida Settlement near London, Ontario, Oren grew up in Buffalo, New York where he met many of his long-time friends and discovered his passion for the drums and playing the blues. He was playing in Buffalo Bars at the age of 15 with many bandmates he grew up with. Two of his favourite drummers who were an inspiration & helped him develop his style of drumming growing up are Gene Kruppa and Buddy Rich. Today Oren continues playing the blues, touring across Canada and the United States as he has for the past 50 years.

Oren original member and drummer for the Pappy Johns Band, is known as the ‘shuffle king’ and for his electrifying drum solos that keeps the crowds rockin! The Pappy Johns Band, noted for the tight soul soulful rhythm section sounds of Oren Doxtator and Don Powless (former bass player) and long-time friend/brother-in-law played together for over 40 years. Current bass guitarist, Al Duffy and Oren continue to provide the soulful sound that is the Pappy Johns Band.

Venues & Festivals Performed: Rez Blues/APTN House Band, Blues Sur Seine in France, Montreal Jazz & Blues Fest, 20th Anniversary/Chicago Blues Fest, Ottawa blues Fest, Ottawa Blues Fest. The above is just a few of the larger venues performed. Over the years, Oren has shared the stage with many great musicians that includes the late Bo Diddly & Jeff Healy and jammed with Down Child Blues Band, Matt Minglewood, Murray Porter, just to name a few.

ROB LAMOTHE

As a professional musician, Rob Lamothe has toured throughout Europe more than 25 times. His songs have appeared on the Billboard charts, in award-winning movies, and on radio all around the world. In May 2017, Rob flew to Los Angeles where he and his band, Riverdogs, filmed a music video for an album that had its world-wide release in July, working with a record label based in Milano, Italy. In addition to being a professional musician, up until August of 2015, Rob ran the Emergency Housing Program for Haldimand and Norfolk Counties. For five years, Rob partnered with agencies and organizations to provide housing support and frontline crisis intervention for homeless clients in the two counties. Prior to that, Rob was the Program Manager at the Dunnville Youth Impact Centre for two years. Rob has devoted much of his musical energy over the last several years to working with some of North America’s pre-eminent Indigenous artists. Rob was part of the music production team nominated for the 2012 Dora Moore Award for ‘Outstanding Sound Design and Composition’, for Kaha:wi Dance Theatre’s TransMigration event at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre. Rob also produced the Two Suns CD for the Six Nations band The Ollivanders, which won ‘Best Rock Recording’ at the 2014 Native American Music Awards. Rob also spent many years on the faculty at Interprovincial Music Camp, where he ran a Songwriting Camp for youth, ages 12 to 18. Rob’s mantra is ‘Create without Fear, Edit without Mercy.’

JULIE LUMSDEN

Julie Lumsden is a proud member of the Manitoba Metis Federation, with Scottish and German settler ancestry. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice Performance from the University of Manitoba Desautels Faculty of Music. She is currently in her 3rd season at The Shaw Festival and has performed on such stages as: The Royal Manitoba Theatre Center, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Manitoba Theatre For Young People, Rainbow Stage, Theatre Cercle Moliere, Magnus Theatre, and Neptune Theatre.

TASHEENA DOXTATOR

Sago, My name is Tasheena Doxtator, representing CMO Territories. I am 31 years old. I was born and raised in Oneida Nation/Chippewa of the Thames. I come from a large supportive family from each side, I have 3 beautiful children whom I spend time teaching them to the best of my ability. I have been singing since I was a preteen and most recently just started doing live shows with local bands. I have entered many contests in the surrounding areas, most recently making it to Finals at the “Long & McQuade The Singing Contest” in Toronto, where I was granted the opportunity to write and record my own originals with a well known Producer/writer Mr. Anthony Wright.

 Music has been my passion, my heart & soul since I was a little girl, growing up around some of the finest Rez blues/Rock musicians my whole life.  I knew this is where I was meant to be, and I am so proud and honored to be able to Express myself in more ways than one, by singing for my people and having amazing musicians showing me the way. Yaw’Ko/ MiiGwetch.

THE OLLIVANDERS

The Ollivanders are an original jam band from Six Nations of the Grand River and Caledonia, ON that formed during a contentious land claim dispute between their two communities. Band members include Martin Isaacs (Mohawk), lead guitar and vocals; Ryan Johnson (Oneida), bass; Ryan Mickeloff, percussion; and Roxanne Rendle, rhythm guitar and vocals. Choosing friendship, collaboration, and harmony over the discord, racism, and conflict that darkened their world they emerged as an authentic new generation voice in the Aboriginal and Canadian music scenes. With music that delivers a classic rock vibe featuring infectious hooks and melodies the band’s premier album Two Suns won the Native American Music Award for “Best Rock Recording.” Kenny Lee Lewis, virtuoso guitarist of the Steve Miller Band for 30 plus years, took notice, praising The Ollivanders’ debut, stating, “…the dry in your face vocals and honest delivery harkens back to the garage bands of the summer of love…and protest…and a new paradigm shift in social consciousness.”

The band’s music reflects an eclectic mix that ranges from rock, 55 Little Spiders (reached #1 on National Aboriginal Music Countdown) and Dear Mr. Murphy (licensed by DISNEY for ESPN|ABC for prime time television on Saturday Night Football), to funk, WMWB (licensed for the premiere episode of the breakout national TV series “Mohawk Girls” on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network), to rhythm and blues, Real World, (licensed for the upcoming reality television show of the same name), to jazz, Mr. PC, (an audience favourite performed live as a rocked-up cover of John Coltrane’s classic). Kenny Kirkwood, JUNO Award Winner and four-time JUNO Nominee, says of the band: “The Ollivanders deliver a sweet mix of hard rock ‘n jazz beats, original streetwise lyrics, and confident musicianship.” 

Compelled by a firm grasp and understanding of their musical influences and yet driven by their own proclivities the band has been recognized for its confident originality. As such they’ve performed at the Royal Ontario Museum, the Smithsonian Institution, the Pan Am Games, and on national APTN music variety shows Arbor Live and Derek Miller’s Guilt Free Zone. Rob Lamothe, acclaimed singer, songwriter, and producer of The Ollivanders’ award-winning album Two Suns has high praise for the band: “While honoring the icons of 70’s rock heaviness, The Ollivanders have created their own way forward and will surely save the world with ragged brilliant music and honest words.”

The Ollivanders have been touring to enthusiastic receptions across Ontario and Quebec in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Hamilton, Burlington, Windsor, Brantford, and in the United States in New York and Washington, DC delivering their unique brand of music and premiering new material from their upcoming EP Forest Moon.