Mi’kmaq Treaty Day celebrations get underway tonight with the Mi’kmaq Cultural Showcase which will pay tribute to musician, Steve Martin, who passed away in June.
Martin, 60, was from the Waycobah First Nation located on Cape Breton Island. He was the main singer and guitarist for the band, Silver Moon, that played at various venues throughout the island.
George Paul, communications officer for Eskasoni First Nation, was put in charge of organizing the Mi’kmaq Cultural Showcase as part of Treaty Day celebrations in Halifax.
Paul said he tried in the past to get Steve Martin and his band to perform at the Mi’kmaq Cultural Showcase but something always got in the way of scheduling.
“As a showcase organizer for Treaty Day, this is my way of getting the band to play at the showcase.”
Martin performed with his family from the time he was 15 years old. In 1994, he formed the Silver Moon band with fellow band members Calvin Paulette, Wilfred Paul, Esmond Marshall and Dilly Gould.
Paul described Martin as a talented singer and musician who was also charitable with his time and his talent.
“He always said yes to any fundraising activity,” Paul said. ’The biggest gift he had was that he gave so much,” he added.
Silver Moon will perform at the cultural showcase as part of the tribute to its former band member. Martin’s son, Rodney Martin, will also be playing with his father’s band at the cultural showcase.
Other performances scheduled at the cultural showcase include the group, Second Generation from Eskasoni and Bernie Francis, a Mi’kmaw linguist and musician from Membertou.
The Mi’kmaq Cultural Showcase starts tonight at 7:30 p.m. on the first floor at the World Trade and Convention Centre on Argyle Street.
