People often ask… how can I help Attawapiskat First Nation?
The best way to help Attawapiskat, ultimately, is to help someone who lives there. Adrian Sutherland has many talents, dreams, and plans for ways he wants to give back. Helping him achieve a self-sustaining music career puts him in a position to be able to give back.
Direct contributions to his career go towards the many hard costs associated with recording projects, marketing and promotion, traveling out of the North, amplifying his voice, and making a positive impact. Direct contributions are greatly appreciated, and every dollar received is spent thoughtfully and efficiently, and goes 100% towards furthering his career.
1. DIRECT CONTRIBUTION
Make a financial contribution to Adrian Sutherland.
If you would like your contribution to be allocated to something specific (ie: audio recording, music video, travel, etc.) please include a note with the contribution and it will be allocated as requested.
2. SUPPORT THE MUSIC & MERCHANDISE
Purchase Adrian Sutherland’s music, or Midnight Shine’s music, from wherever you like to buy your music. Or visit the Store page to buy music (both digital and physical CD) and merchandise directly from Adrian’s business.
3. SUPPORT SOCIAL MEDIA & STREAMING
Engage with Adrian Sutherland, and Midnight Shine, from whatever social media sites and digital streaming platform you are on – please like, follow, comment, and share. You’ll find your favourite digital links in the bottom footer.
4. LEARN MORE ABOUT FIRST NATIONS WATER ISSUES
Adrian’s community of Attawapiskat has two water dispensaries from which the nearly 3000 residents go to get drinking water – and it has been this way for his entire 44-year-old life. Despite this, he has it better than many other First Nations.
Read the opinion piece Adrian wrote for The Globe and Mail: Read the piece here.
Read the article he wrote for the Huffington Post: Read the article here.
There are dozens of First Nations that presently live with boil water advisories. Educate yourself on the different kinds of drinking water issues in First Nations, and learn more about which communities currently have water advisories. Click here for resources.
Visit The Council of Canadians for more information and resources on water issues in First Nations, and to learn how you can help: Click here to visit the website.
5. ADVOCATE FOR FIRST NATIONS WATER
#FIRSTWATER is a hashtag created by Adrian and his team to create awareness specifically about First Nations water issues in Canada, and to bring together the many voices and initiatives rising up about First Nations water.
If you’d like to help advocate for clean water for First Nations, share your words on social media, share copies of media stories about water, or share copies of stories that Adrian has written – and include the hashtag #FIRSTWATER.
Tag your local politicians, any politicians – and include the hashtag #FIRSTWATER. Write a letter to your MP and the Prime Minister (contact info below) – and include the hashtag #FIRSTWATER. Help us create one collective voice.
6. EDUCATE YOURSELF ON IMPORTANT ISSUES
Take some time to read about and educate yourself on the calls to action and recommendations put forward by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. There is a lot to be learned, and even more to understand, on the road to Reconciliation. Read the calls to action here.
7. SEND A LETTER TO YOUR MP
Write to your Member of Parliament expressing your support for action on providing clean drinking water to First Nations. Include the hashtag #FIRSTWATER.
Find your MP’s mailing address by entering your postal code here.
Not sure what to include in your letter? Find suggestions here.
Use this sample letter as a guide.
8. SEND A LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER
Write to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressing your support for action on providing clean drinking water to First Nations. Include the hashtag #FIRSTWATER. Contact the Prime Minister here.