WASKAPITAN Concert Raises $100,000
A resounding success in tribute to Joyce Echaquan
Joliette, Quebec – February 15th, 2021 – On December 3rd, 2020 more than 30,000 people attended the Waskapitan Benefit Concert in tribute to Joyce Echaquan. Under the artistic direction of Elisapie and Maurin Auxéméry, this unique online show raised over $100,000, with almost all of the donations made by the public.
From December 3rd to January 3rd, audiences were invited to come and discover this unique virtual concert – a spontaneous response, conceived in only a few days by renowned artists and public figures who felt the need to express themselves on the racism experienced by Indigenous people and other marginalized communities in Quebec.
Artists – both so talented and so generous
This concert featured artists from the four corners of Quebec. Roger Echaquan, Jemmy Echaquan, Jeremy Dutcher, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Kanen, Shauit, Yves Lambert, Boucar Diouf, Yan Maverick, Patrick Watson, Eruoma Awashish, Richard Séguin, Florent Vollant, Réjean Bouchard, Natasha Kanapé Fontaine, Sylvia Cloutier, Pauyungie Nataraaluk, Catherine Boivin, Ivanie Aubin-Malo, Kizis, Sabrina Paton, Wass, Ariane Moffatt, Anachnid, Patrice Robitaille, and Richard Desjardins were there for this magical moment. Without their dedication and volunteer work, this event could not have taken place. The Regroupement des centers d’amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ) and the Centre d’amitié autochtone de Lanaudière would also like to thank all its partners and collaborators who, in their own way, made this fundraising event possible.
Funds for action
The Waskapitan initiative encourages all Quebecers to be part of the change by supporting, in concrete and constructive ways, the well-being of Indigenous peoples, by uniting in the fight against racism. The money raised by the concert will contribute to the Waskapitan Fund initiatives. The Fund aims to create a significant public work of art that will pay tribute to Joyce Echaquan and to contribute positively to the presence and visibility of Indigenous people in the Joliette region. The Fund will also contribute to the implementation of front-line services and allow for the development of important projects to raise public awareness on the richness of our Indigenous roots and allow everyone to become more understanding and respectful of our cultures.
About the Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec
The Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ) is the provincial association of Native Friendship Centres that has been advocating for the rights and interests of Indigenous citizens in cities all across Quebec for 45 years, while supporting the affiliated Quebec Native Friendship Centres. Through its mission, the RCAAQ has a broad understanding of the issues and challenges facing Indigenous people living in an urban reality.
Contact / Information
Nathalie Picard
Administration Coordinator
Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec
(418) 842-6354, poste 221 | www.rcaaq.info/en/
