Our Pick: Honouring Our Heroes: A Tribute to Métis Veterans

Artist—Various
Song—Would You Do Today
Album—Honouring Our Heroes: A Tribute to Métis Veterans
Year—2012

The Gabriel Dumont Institute has published a musical cd in Tribute to Métis Veterans with proceeds of  sales going to The Métis Veterans Memorial Monument Project. So what should you expect? How about offerings from some of Canada’s most well known and accomplished Métis music artists? Track one will have you singing Proud To Be Métis along with old school country artist Ray St.Germain.

Donny Parenteau is one of the most popular country artists in Indian Country and sings three songs on this compilation, and delivers everything anyone would expect. My favorite song is Parenteau’s “Would You Do Today” that questions the resolve and commitment to serve today as veterans did in the past.

Andrea Menard is another celebrated artist known for more than just her music performances. Menard adds a feminine touch to this project and if you don’t feel your heart tug when you listen to “A Boy for One More Day”, then perhaps you need a defibrillator. Menard delivers two songs as a feature vocalist on this project. Mike Gouchie is one of those solid country artists you can depend on for a rich vocal delivery while Jess Lee makes sure Ray St. Germain isn’t the only classic country sound on this musical smorgasbord. Krystle Pederson is the youthful powerhouse vocalist that gives the last bit of balance on this cd. The songs remind us of the sacrifice our veterans made for our freedom and security, both yesterday and today. Most of these songs are musical collaborations by all the artists involved and culminates with  “In Flanders Field.”  The variety of artists combined with both traditional and new songs comes together on this project. The flow from song to song is a journey of Métis pride and respect in remembrance of sacrifice. Experiencing this cd is an honour.

Order cd: https://shop.gdins.org/node/78.

Learn about the Métis Veterans Memorial Monument Project: http://gdins.org/veteransmonument