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First Nations songs have value

How much is a song worth? Well, if you’re Faith Hill – who reportedly received one million dollars – U.S. – to launch Casino Rama’s 5200-seat Entertainment Centre in July, 2001, it probably works out to at least $50,000 per tune.
How much is a song worth?

Well, if you’re Faith Hill – who reportedly received one million dollars – U.S. – to launch Casino Rama’s 5200-seat Entertainment Centre in July, 2001, it probably works out to at least $50,000 per tune. I wonder how that kind of pay scale sat with the casino’s 700-or--so Native employees, many of whom draw more modest salaries sweeping floors or waiting on tables.

Many people are able to earn a livelihood from music. Those minstrels you see busking for cash on street corners and in subway stations can tally up a couple of hundred bucks a day from all the loonies and toonies tossed into their guitar or violin cases. Restaurateurs and tavern owners hire singers to serenade patrons who prefer some background music for their dining or drinking experience.

But when it comes to hiring the services of traditional First Nation singers or dancers, many don’t seem to understand that their skills and time also have value.

A few years ago I got a call from a community organizer in Toronto looking for assistance in planning a Canada Day extravaganza. She had lined up prime ministers, premiers and dignitaries of all shapes and sizes, and a key element of the celebration was participation by representatives of as many ethnic groups and nationalities as could possibly be assembled.

The only missing element of the plan was some First Nation flavour, she said, asking for my help in obtaining the services of a drum group and possibly some traditional dancers. I agreed that it would be appropriate, and asked if she would meanwhile please check with speakers to ensure that they did not unintentionally refer to Native participants as members of an “ethnic group.”

I also explained that it is respectful for such ceremonies that the Chief of the nearest First Nation be asked to attend and extend a welcome to his or her community’s traditional territory. Another nice touch, I added, would be to offer a First Nation elder some tobacco to join priests, rabbis and other assorted clerics seeking the Creator’s blessing in their respective languages and liturgies.

“What kind of budget do you have?” I asked.

If pauses can be pregnant, you could have squeezed the birth of the Dionne Quintuplets into the next ten seconds.

“What do you mean?” she asked, sounding absolutely befuddled. “What would we have to pay for?”

I wondered why she would not think that Native contributors should be compensated for their time and skills, just like any other group. After some discussion and explanation, there was a happy ending, but the experience was not a unique one. I have found myself having the same conversation with many others -- including schoolteachers -- looking for some Native content in events they are planning.

The idea that Native drummers, singers and dancers are somehow expected to be on-call volunteers as props for public ceremonies or curriculum enhancers strikes me as mildly amusing, and borderline offensive. They have to pay the same travel and accommodation costs, and make the same time commitment as any other participants, and many of them live at society's economic margins.

There is no one-size-fits-all price list for acquiring the services of First Nation cultural presenters, but -– depending on their reputation and experience -- you might expect to offer a four-man drum group anywhere from $200 to $500 for a couple of hours of their time at a local event. If I were a dancer, I wouldn’t leave the house in my regalia for less than $25 an hour, unless I was on my way to a traditional pow-wow.

First Nation singers usually don’t do what they do for money – but they deserve money for what they do.


Maurice Switzer is a citizen of the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation. He serves as director of communications for the Union of Ontario Indians and editor of the Anishinabek News.