A 2019 anthem that addressed Canada’s complex relationship with First Nations has been reimagined as a dual project working in both Spanish and English. “Don Politico (Politician Man)” is a dual language duet by Adrian Sutherland from Northern Canada (Attawapiskat First Nation) together with Rodrigo Massa from South America (Brazil/Mexico).
The protest song brings together two languages and two cultures to, “Because no matter where you live or what your political stripe, the underlying issue is the same everywhere: politicians need to govern for the people, instead of themselves.”
The music video for Don Politico (Politician Man) was filmed with Sutherland and Massa together at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Cook’s Creek, Manitoba. The location “was chosen for its towering walls – symbolizing barriers, obstacles, and political divide.” The video was shot and edited by Landon Lake, produced by RoseAnna Schick, and executive produced by Sutherland. Wardrobes for Sutherland and Massa were provided by Winnipeg’s Lennard Taylor Design.
“Don Politico (Politician Man)” was inspired by Adrian Sutherland’s 2019 protest song “Politician Man,” released in response to the contaminated water crisis in his remote Cree community of Attawapiskat.
Upon receiving an influx of fan emails from around the world, the idea was sparked to one day make “international” duet versions. This marks the first of those versions.
“Don Politico (Politician Man)” was written by Adrian Sutherland, Chris Gormley, and Matt Gormley, with Spanish lyrics translated by Rodrigo Massa. It was produced and engineered by Carl Jennings in Hamilton, and mastered by João Carvalho in Toronto.
A music video for the original song was created by Justin Stephenson, and released on October 17, 2019, just prior to Canada’s federal election. The video has gone on to win multiple awards at film festivals around the world including Best Performing Arts Video from Yorkton, Canada’s oldest film festival.
Aknowledgements:
Adrian Sutherland would like to acknowledge and say thank you for the support of Canada Council for the Arts. Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. Adrian Sutherland would also like to acknowledge and say thank you for the support of Air Creebec, his northern regional airline. Chi-Meegwetch, Air Creebec.
