Chuck Copenace is a Winnipeg-based Ojibway musician and we talk about Chuck’s excellent album Oshki Manitou, which expands his work as a trumpet player, arranger, and composer. He’s woven together ceremonial sweat-lodge melodies with jazz, funk, dance and electronica and this episode features tracks from that album. He’s such a powerfully lyrical trumpet player, and you’ll be deeply touched to hear his inspiring story of moving through trauma and addiction to helping others through counseling and music. Chuck talked to me about his experience of growing up Indigenous, how intergenerational trauma from the residential schools affected his life, and how he was able to get sober and find healing in Indigineous ceremonial traditions.  You’ll hear about his university experience at Brandon university studying with Alan Ehnes, how he became a counselor through the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, and found his way back to a life in music. He spoke of his hope for the future of Indigenous youth, working with Julia Keefe’s Indigenous Big Band, and his upcoming projects. Please check out Chuck’s website: https://www.chuckcopenace.com/

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:16) Creator, getting back to music, sweat lodge ceremony

(06:26) Creator from Oshki Manitou

(10:26) learning ceremonial songs, recording the album

(14:12) Indian Act, suppression of Indigenous spiritual and cultural practices like the sweat lodge

(15:45) intro to Nothing Simple

(17:03) Nothing Simple live video from Revelstoke

(21:36) Indigenous peoples in Winnipeg

(22:56) the origin of Oshki Manitou

(26:12) Oshki Manitou

(30:13) Chuck’s son

(30:53) check out past episodes and support the show

(31:31) school music programs

(35:00) how music helped Chuck deal with inter-generational trauma, getting sober

(46:53) growing up Indigenous, the way history is taught 

(50:27) residential schools and hope for the future

(58:22) excerpt from Little Sunflower from Oshki Manitou

(59:20) Indigineous mentorship, Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band 

(01:07:29) Chuck’s music education, Alan Ehnes Brandon

(01:16:47) Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, recovery and burnout 

(01:24:36) finding a path in music again

(01:35:18) next projects, sharing his story, youth workshops