NEWS RELEASE
CONSEIL SCOLAIRE CATHOLIQUE NOUVELON
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On April 17, some 200 students gathered at École secondaire catholique Jeunesse-Nord (Blind River) to attend a performance by Innu artist Scott-Pien Picard during a school tour presented by the Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon. Taking part in this activity promoting Indigenous culture were students from École Notre-Dame-du-Sault (Sault Ste. Marie), École Saint-Joseph (Blind River), École catholique Georges Vanier (Elliot Lake), École catholique La Renaissance (Espanola) as well as the host school ÉSC Jeunesse-Nord.
“What a powerful presentation. Scott-Pien Picard was supported by a team of talented musicians,” said Mr. Hassan Azzi, Principal at ÉSC Jeunesse-Nord. “Students enjoyed hearing him sing meaningful songs in Innu, his mother tongue.”
“His music, both captivating and universal, transported students into a world where talent and passion met. In addition to performing, this artist spoke to students in French about his passion for his Innu culture and language. This contact had a great impact on students as well as school staff, explained Mr. Azzi.
Born in Sept-Îles, Quebec, Scott-Pien Picard is an Innu songwriter from Uashat Mak Maliotenam, an Innu community on the North Shore. He writes in Innu, his mother tongue. He developed a real talent for music at a very early age. From the age of six, he performed in his community. Inspired by the musical groups Maten and Kashtin, he discovered a passion for music and the Innu language. It did not take long for him to develop a talent for composing and writing in the traditional language.
In 2015, Scott-Pien Picard took part in the television program Le Rythme 3, a workshop that brought together new Indigenous talent led by singer-songwriter Samian, and participated in the Nikamun Mamuitun (songs that bring people together) event, bringing Indigenous and non- Indigenous people together in Petite Vallée in 2017. This artist produced his first solo album SCOTT-PIEN PICARD in 2018 and the album Pekuaiapu (which in the ancient Innu language means “visionary - one who sets the path”) in 2022.
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