Creation Never Sleeps, Creation Never Dies: Celebrating the life and legacy of Willie Dunn

UPDATE Nov. 30, 2021: Never Sleeps, Creation Never Dies: The Willie Dunn Anthology earned a 2022 Grammy nomination for Best Album Notes. Music historian Kevin Howes wrote the extensive liner notes and compiled music for the anthology. 

"Stay ready!" 

Simple yet complex words from an Indigenous trailblazer. Reclaimed is celebrating one of the greatest singers, songwriters and storytellers of the past century: Willie Dunn. 

For those who know of the Mi'kmaq artist, it's understood that he's a legend. A visionary... An artist who could see into the future and the past, and sing through time. An activist who helped shape a movement for generations of Indigenous artists to come. But, for too long this enigmatic lodestar of insight and creativity has been overlooked. Willie played an integral role in the long continuum of resistance and reclamation through Indigenous music. Some would say he and his contemporaries provided the early "flicker of light" of the Indigenous renaissance we're living through today. 

Despite his passing, the gift of his songs keeps his spirit forever present. Get ready to hear stories, lessons and songs from an iconic musical hero. 

Join host Jarrett Martineau as he explores the creative worlds and legacy of Willie Dunn. Celebrating the music and storytelling of the great Mi'kmaq artist whose talents were described by some as Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, all rolled into one.  

If you want to explore more of Willie Dunn's music (and so much more), check out the double-vinyl celebrating his life and legacy. It's called Creation Never Sleeps, Creation Never Dies: The Willie Dunn Anthology. Available at Light in The Attic records.

Broadcast schedule:

CBC Music: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4

CBC Radio One and Sirius XM 169: 11 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4