Eekwol

Eekwol (born Lindsay Knight) is a Canadian rapper from the Muskoday First Nation in Saskatchewan.[1]

Eekwol
Birth nameLindsay Knight
Also known asEekwol
BornWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
GenresRap, hip hop, First Nations
Occupation(s)Musician, Rapper
Instrument(s)Vocals
Labelsinnersoulflow, Independent
Websitewww.myspace.com/eekwol

She is a graduate of the University of Regina[2] and the University of Saskatchewan (M.A.). Her master's thesis, completed through the Department of Native Studies, examines past and present Indigenous music and how both are interconnected.[3] She later worked as a lecturer in the Native Studies department for University of Saskatchewan Native Studies department.[4] She is currently a Ph.D. student in the Indigenous Studies Department at the University of Saskatchewan and was the University's first Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence.[5]

Personal life

Eekwol was born as Lindsay Knight and has two children.[6] She is a musician as well as an academic.[7]

She is the niece of musician Chester Knight.[8]

Music career

Eekwol started studying hip-hop at age 16 and launched her first album in 1998.[9] She won Best Hip Hop/Rap Album at the 2005 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards for the "Apprentice to the Mystery" album, along with Mils (her brother and producer, with whom she co-owns the indie label Mils Production).[10] The same album was nominated at the Indian Summer Music Awards in 2005, and the Aboriginal Peoples’ Choice Music Awards in 2006.[11] Her video for "Too Sick" has been featured on the Aboriginal Peoples' Television Network, MTV Canada and Muchmusic. She served on the panel of adjudicators for the Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor's Arts Awards in 2008.[12]

Eekwol works as a youth mentor and has participated in songwriting workshops focused on Cree youth education in arts.[13][14] She has also been an instructor for LIVE Arts Saskatchewan.[15]

Political activism

She is known for "a passionate stance on indigenous culture and struggle" in her lyrics,[16] and for political and social activities.[17] These activities include sitting on an Indigenous Advisory Council, and as of 7 December 2015, becoming the Program Consultant for Aboriginal Arts and Community Engagement for the Saskatchewan Arts Board.[4][14]

After attending one of the events in Saskatoon regarding Truth and Reconciliation [Canada's mandated organization that acknowledges and documents residential schools] where she performed, she was deeply affected after hearing the stories of residential school survivors. Her reaction was to write about it, which is reflected in her song, "Ghosts".[6]

Quotes

"I rap for the desire to make something powerful and creative."[6]

Discography
  • 1998 – Eekwol
  • 1999 – Frequent Flyers of a Higher Science
  • 2001 – Best Kept Secret
  • 2002 – Soundsick
  • 2004 – Apprentice to the Mystery
  • 2007 – The List (with Mils)
  • 2009 – Niso
  • 2015 – Good Kill[18]
  • 2019 - F.W.B.W (with T-Rhyme)

References
  1. Shannon Lacroix (25 April 2011). "Saskatchewan artists set to take national stage". The Prince Albert Daily Herald. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  2. David Sealy (2007). "Eekwol Opportunity". Degrees Magazine. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  3. Lindsay, Knight (1 August 2013). "Resistance in Indigenous Music: A Continuum of Sound". ecommons.usask.ca. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  4. "Sask Arts Board welcomes Lindsay Knight". Eaglefeathernews.com. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  5. Pearce, Nick (17 December 2020). "Rapper and PhD student becomes first Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence at U of S". The Star-Phoenix. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  6. Pacholik, Devin (13 January 2016). "Eekwol Fights for Aboriginal Women's Rights Through Hip-Hop". Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  7. "Eekwol says beats and rhymes the new way to tell indigenous story". Cbc.ca. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  8. "Artist no longer low key: Local rapper mixes prairie roots into her music". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, 28 June 2005.
  9. Tom Eremondi (15 August 2012). "Hip hop artist takes on other life roles". Canada.com. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  10. "8 Great Native Hip-Hop Artists - Indian Country Media Network". Indiancountrymedianetwork.com. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  11. "CBC Music". music.cbc.ca. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  12. Leader-Post (25 September 2008). "Lieutenant Governor's Arts Awards handed out in Regina". canada.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2011. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  13. Mackay, Gail A. (2016). "A Reading of Eekwol's Apprentice to the Mystery as an Expression of Cree Youth's Cultural Role and Responsibility". Indigenous Pop. Native American Music from Jazz to Hip Hop. University of Arizona Press. pp. 201–223. ISBN 9780816509447. JSTOR j.ctt19jcghr.16.
  14. Matheson, Emmet (21 July 2005). "Eekwol stays true to her roots:: [Final Edition]". Leader Post. ProQuest 349818903.
  15. LIVEartSaskatchewan (14 August 2017), LIVE Arts Saskatchewan- Eekwol, retrieved 5 December 2017
  16. Tara-Michelle Ziniuk (14 February 2010). "Eekwol – Niso". !earshot : reviews. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  17. Greg Silliphant (7 February 2010). "We be Jammin' – and More". Planet S Magazine. Vol. 11, no. 12. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  18. "Rapper with First Nation heritage inspires young people to succeed". Global News. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
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