Information/Write-up
From The New album
"The Truth We Hold", to be released April 11th
No one’s gonna tell you that they burned down Agawa Bay
Hi everyone, my new song “One of These Days” is out today!
Over the years I had heard my friend Mitch speak at Métis events, sharing incredible stories of the history of the Métis community in Sault Ste. Marie - the river lots, the burning of the village at Agawa Bay, the Mica Bay incident & more.
In October 2023 I visited Mitch in Sault Ste. Marie. We spent a few days driving around to different places - St. Joseph Island, Mica Bay, where the traditional river lots were & Agawa Bay.
While standing on the shores of Lake Superior as the waves crashed and the wind whipped, Mitch shared the Agawa Bay story. He showed me where the homes used to stand, & where the remains of an old chimney from one of the homes had survived the fire. He told me that in 1968, the Ontario government bulldozed & burnt the homes of Metis community members, to the ground.
I returned home & listened to an interview with the late Dolores Pinder & her brother Bud, who are grandchildren of Dave Bussineau, one of the Métis men who built his home & lived in Agawa Bay for 50 years. In the interview Dolores Pinder shares “Well, you know who I am, I’m Dolores. Born 1938, lived my life for this place, just trying to die here, one of these days. Stretched right out there. My home, my life, my heart. Right here”. The title & the idea for this song came directly from these heartfelt words.
This is one of many stories of Métis people being displaced. This story in particular is almost impossible to find on the internet or in the history books. Métis communities have existed on these lands for over two and a half centuries, yet many people aren’t familiar with our histories. I am honoured & privileged to tell this & other true stories in song. ‘One of These Days’ is dedicated to Métis elder & knowledge holder Mrs. Mary Dolores Pinder née Bussineau.
Amanda Rheaume: vocals
Colin Linden: guitars
Janice Powers: keyboards
Jim Hoke: organ
Johnny Dymond: bass
Gary Craig: drums
Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk: fiddle
Jonell Mosser: backing vocals
Written by Amanda Rheaume and Terra Lightfoot
Produced by Colin Linden
Recorded at Jukasa Studio & Pinhead Recorders
Artwork by Bronwin Parks at Feisty Creative
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