Joined by community members, friends, and neighbours, Les Filles D’esprit held a concert at Knox United Church in Kenora, Ontario, on Monday, June 1, a date rich with meaning: the first day of Indigenous History Month, the first day of Pride Month, and following closely on the heels of Community Living Month, National AccessAbility Week, and Volunteer Appreciation Week.

Their concert, titled “Let Justice Roll,” offered an invitation to learn, acknowledge, and celebrate, while paying homage to those who have fought for freedoms in varied ways.

In their opening remarks, the group reflected on their role and responsibility as performers: “We want to be clear about who we are in this space. We do not claim expertise and we have not lived every experience represented by the music or movements we’re here to honour tonight, but we hold a platform and we believe that platform is a vessel, not a trophy. We want to use it as a call to action, a wish spoken aloud for a more just society in whatever small way that counts.”

The program drew from a rich and deliberately chosen body of work. Musical selections included Stephen Stills’ “Find the Cost of Freedom,” a reflection on sacrifice and the price paid for liberty; James Taylor’s “Shed a Little Light,” a gospel-tinged call to carry on the work of justice; and “What Happens When a Woman,” written by Alexandra Olsavsky and performed by the vocal trio Artemisia, a song for the strong women of the world who seek to empower themselves by asking important questions.

Spoken-word pieces, including excerpts from Andrea Gibson’s “Angels of the Get Through” and “Ten Responses to the Phrase ‘Man Up'” by Kyle (Guante) Tran Myhre, offered equally powerful counterpoints.

Proceeds totalling $1,600 were donated to the Kenora Makwa Patrol, an organization doing vital harm reduction and outreach work in the community. Program Manager Jennifer Lebel and members of the Makwa Patrol team were present to share about the meaningful work they provide in our community.

“Kenora Makwa Patrol was honoured to attend the concert and receive the generous donation from Les Filles D’esprit,” Lebel said. “The support of the local community is so important to our work, and these funds will help us provide ongoing care, supplies and resources for our vulnerable population during the summer months. Chi-miigwetch!”

Les Filles D’esprit were grateful for the support of a number of talented contributors throughout the evening, including “the Wednesday Five” (Kinsley, Claire, Grace, Isabella, and Charlie), as well as Ruth Girard, Lenard Whiting, Ren Amell, Lincoln Dunn, Darcy Ura, Jim Newman, Noah White, and Claire Edwards. Brenda Shodin, spokesperson for Les Filles noted, “The group is grateful to everyone who shared the stage and filled the seats on June 1. Evenings like this one are proof that when a community comes together with open hearts, something greater than any one voice emerges.”