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New Constellations Artist: Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

As part of this month’s New Constellations Digital Residency, we’re featuring some of the artists and mentors joining the nation(s)wide tour running from November 23 to December 20, 2017.


What’s your favourite song at the moment?

Honour Song by Jeremy Dutcher on repeat.

How do you celebrate a great performance?

I’m a bit of a celebration fail. Last night we tried to go to Subway, but it was closed.

The best place in Toronto to enjoy winter weather is …

Peterborough.

What’s the last performance/concert you saw?

Mob Bounce. Fire.

Name one other New Constellations artist you think audiences should see during this nationwide tour.

Holy smokes, Elisapie. She is blowing my mind. And the writers – Louise Halfe, Joshua Whitehead and Billy-Ray Belcourt, Marilyn DumountDamian Rogers.

Describe the best gig you’ve ever played.

I think it was the record launch for my album f(l)ight as a part of RPM live in Toronto. It was just a crowd full of love. Also I’m looking so forward to playing Wiikwemikong and Kitigan Ziibi because I love playing in our communities.

New Constellations will bring together a lineup of Canada’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists. Why is that an important feature of this tour to you?

This tour is an incredibly supportive, respectful and beautiful Indigenous space. In my experience, that’s pretty rare. The energy feels really different than other shows – Indigenous curators, elders at our shows, learning about whose lands we are on at every stop, forging an intimate relationship with the audience on our own terms. Speaking our truths. I feel safe on stage, like everyone has my back and that’s an incredible and rare feeling. The audiences are also so special – looking out on stage and seeing my community in the crowd, particularly our brilliant youth is the very best feeling. Last night we visited with the audience after the show and that was a very sweet thing. 

What’s coming up for you next?

Re-kindling the home fires and being a present mama.


Learn more about Leanne Betasamosake Simpson at New Constellations.

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