Manitobans celebrate the life of Vince Fontaine
Manitobans gathered to celebrate the life of Vince Fontaine, an icon in Manitoba's music and Indigenous communities.
Band members from Eagle & Hawk and Indian City performed in the Oodena Circle at The Forks to bid farewell to their friend.
Fontaine passed away suddenly on Tuesday at the age of 60 due to a heart attack.
His niece, and MLA for St. Johns, Nahanni Fontaine, said it was important for the family to bring the community together in his honour.
"It was through his music that he tried to connect community. That was the most important thing. That was the motivation for the work that he did and the music he produced."
Fontaine was a staple of the Indigenous music community in Manitoba and across Canada. He released more than ten albums and played around the world.
His musical talent earned him a Juno Award, and in 2012 he was inducted into the Manitoba Aboriginal Music Hall of Fame.
Nahanni said the outpour of support has helped the family through this difficult time.
"We've gotten messages from everywhere here in Manitoba, Winnipeg, and across Canada. But I've received messages as far as Germany and Austria."
Jay Bodner is a singer and rhythm guitar player for Eagle & Hawk and played alongside Fontaine for 25 years.
He said throughout his career, Fontaine worked hard to bring Indigenous music to the forefront.
"Not just from Winnipeg, but throughout North America. Pushing Indigenous music into the mainstream, and that's been one heck of a job."
The musical performances drew a big crowd as the band played songs from Fontaine's 25-year catalogue.
"We're going to try to span right from 1997 to the current Indian City album today in ten songs," said Bodner.
Nahanni said one of Fontaine's gifts was his compassion for others and the love and support he gave to all who knew him.
"He was the rock of our family, and he was always there for us, like he's always been there for the community, and he's going to be deeply, deeply missed."
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Fontaine's wife and three children cover the costs associated with the burial.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Jason Kenney steps down after 51.4% approval in leadership review
Jason Kenney quit as leader of his party, and premier of Alberta, Wednesday night after receiving a slight majority of support in his United Conservative Party leadership review.
Poilievre faces backlash for comments on Jordan Peterson podcast
Some are calling attention to a comment about 'Anglo-Saxon words' that Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre made while appearing as a guest on controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson’s podcast. The term has been used by those on the far-right to differentiate white people from immigrants and people of colour.
Ed Fast out as Tory finance critic after criticizing leadership candidate Poilievre
Ed Fast is no longer the Conservative finance critic, interim party leader Candice Bergen says. Bergen said in a statement late Wednesday that Fast informed her he will be 'stepping away from his duties.'
Trudeau says Ottawa watching Quebec's proposed changes to language law 'carefully'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is watching 'carefully' how Quebec's Bill 96 is playing out provincially and respects the freedom of members of Parliament to protest it.
Four things Canadians can do to save money on their groceries during inflation
With Statistics Canada reporting a 9.7 per cent increase in food costs over the last year, Canadians are being pushed to find ways to pinch pennies at the grocery stores. Here are some ways to save.
Crown wants Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich returned to jail to await trial
Crown prosecutors want Ottawa protest organizer Tamara Lich sent back to jail to await trial, claiming she breached her bail conditions by agreeing to participate in an event next month where she will receive a 'Freedom Award.'
'Suffer in silence:' Experts worry of fallout from public reaction to Amber Heard's testimony
As Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard stretches into its fifth week, experts say public reaction to Heard's testimony sends a perilous reminder that despite the 'MeToo' movement, the credibility of alleged victims of abuse can be fragile.
'Somebody out there is missing this child': Remains of young girl found in water in Dunnville, Ont.
Provincial police announced Wednesday the human remains found in the water in Dunnville, Ont., the day before are that of a young girl.
Conservative party investigating complaint by Patrick Brown team about racist email
The Conservative Party of Canada is investigating a complaint lodged by Patrick Brown's leadership campaign about a racist email it says it received from a member.
Regina
-
Riders preseason game to be moved following tentative CFL deal: TSN
According to TSN Football Insider Dave Naylor, a preseason game scheduled for May 23 between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be moved.
-
MLA removed from Sask. legislature during heated session
Nadine Wilson, the Independent MLA of Saskatchewan Rivers, was removed from the Saskatchewan legislature after refusing to apologize for comments made towards the government, following Wednesday’s fierce Question Period session.
-
'It was surreal': Sask. residents witness province’s first tornado of 2022
Environment Canada has confirmed the first tornado in Saskatchewan touched down Tuesday night near Keeler, about 50 kilometres north of Moose Jaw.
Saskatoon
-
Brother of alleged Sask. group home sexual assault victim worries his days were 'filled with dread'
A man whose brother lived in a group home in Hepburn, Sask. and was allegedly abused by a worker is speaking out.
-
An Epic Alliance investor thought they owned a home with a tenant — it had actually burned down
Following the collapse of Epic Alliance, one investor learned they were the landlord of a property that no longer existed.
-
Statue of Indigenous hockey icon Fred Sasakamoose unveiled in Saskatoon
A statue of Indigenous hockey trailblazer Fred Sasakamoose was unveiled outside SaskTel Centre on Wednesday.
Northern Ontario
-
Free to be me: Rainbow schools hold diversity conference
A two-day symposium is underway at Cambrian College that aims to create and enhance support for students who are part of the LGTBQ2S community, as well as allies.
-
COVID-19 cases falling in Algoma
As festivals and events return to in-person formats, memories of COVID-19 may not necessarily be top of mind for people as they make summer plans.
-
Timmins microbrewery honoured at beer awards in Alberta
A microbrewery in Timmins has taken bronze at the Canadian Brewing Awards in Calgary.
Edmonton
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Jason Kenney steps down after 51.4% approval in leadership review
Jason Kenney quit as leader of his party, and premier of Alberta, Wednesday night after receiving a slight majority of support in his United Conservative Party leadership review.
-
Where to watch the Battle of Alberta in Edmonton
If you want to watch the Battle of Alberta series with thousands of fans, you have a few options in Edmonton.
-
Battle of Alberta's big winner? Local children's charities
Children in Edmonton and beyond will be the winners in the the Battle of Alberta. The team has announced that proceeds from the Mega 50/50 jackpot in Round 2 will benefit the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, which supports kids sport charities in the community.
Toronto
-
Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner tests positive for COVID-19
Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner has tested positive for COVID-19 in the midst of the 2022 provincial election campaign.
-
INVESTIGATION
INVESTIGATION | Dozens of MPP investment properties surge to more than $36 million as Ontario housing affordability worsens
Dozens of candidates running for re-election are sitting on investment properties that are surging millions in value as a housing crisis takes hold across Ontario, according to a review of disclosures by CTV News and a new home valuation tool.
-
Man 'in shock' after SUV stolen in one of three Toronto carjackings in two-hour span
A man says he is still in shock after his SUV was stolen from his Scarborough driveway in one of the three carjackings in Toronto that occurred in the span of two hours Wednesday.
Calgary
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Jason Kenney steps down after 51.4% approval in leadership review
Jason Kenney quit as leader of his party, and premier of Alberta, Wednesday night after receiving a slight majority of support in his United Conservative Party leadership review.
-
Concerns raised over emergency department wait times, especially at Alberta Children's Hospital
Seeing a doctor in the emergency department is taking longer than usual at most Calgary hospitals, according to some Calgary area families and internal data from Alberta Health Services.
-
Red Lot cancelled for Game 1 due to high winds
Flames fans suffered a setback before a single puck was dropped Wednesday night in the opening game of the Battle of Alberta.
Montreal
-
Legault says English health-care worries over Bill 96 are 'disinformation'; experts disagree
Peppered with questions on Bill 96, Legault said there's been 'disinformation' spreading, in his opinion -- and that on one important question, health care, many critics of the bill are wrong. In fact, the bill is confusing on that point and the details still haven't been fully explained.
-
Suspected monkeypox cases detected in Montreal
Suspected cases of monkeypox are under investigation in the Montreal area as more reports of infections of the rare disease are popping up globally in recent weeks.
-
Quebec health workers will no longer be paid for COVID-19 isolation leave
Quebec health-care staff got another surprise this week when they learned they can no longer get paid time off for COVID-19 isolation, but need to use up their sick days or vacation days while awaiting a test result.
Ottawa
-
Prince Charles and Camilla spend the day in Ottawa
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla had a busy itinerary in Ottawa on Day 2 of their visit to Canada, running behind schedule for much of the day, but patient royal watchers were thrilled to meet them.
-
Here's when gas prices will drop below $2 a litre in Ottawa
Gas prices are set to fall 13 cents a litre over the next two days, giving drivers some relief at the pumps ahead of the Victoria Day long weekend.
-
Crown wants Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich returned to jail to await trial
Crown prosecutors want Ottawa protest organizer Tamara Lich sent back to jail to await trial, claiming she breached her bail conditions by agreeing to participate in an event next month where she will receive a 'Freedom Award.'
Atlantic
-
Chantel Moore shot by N.B. police officer in chest, abdomen and leg, inquest hears
Chantel Moore, a 26-year-old Indigenous woman killed by police in New Brunswick in June 2020, was shot twice in the chest, once in the abdomen and once in her left leg, the pathologist who conducted an autopsy on her said Wednesday.
-
Former RCMP staff sergeant describes spotty radio, lack of resources in N.S. shooting
A Mountie who led much of the response to the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting testified Wednesday that spotty radio service and the lack of an RCMP helicopter were among the equipment problems that hampered the manhunt.
-
Halifax police release identity of 37-year-old stabbing victim
Halifax Regional Police have released the identity of a woman who died after she was stabbed early Tuesday morning.
Kitchener
-
'Somebody out there is missing this child': Remains of young girl found in water in Dunnville, Ont.
Provincial police announced Wednesday the human remains found in the water in Dunnville, Ont., the day before are that of a young girl.
-
Assault charges withdrawn against Kitchener teacher accused of taping students
The woman was charged with two counts of assault in November after an investigation into “allegations she taped two children with masking tape while in the classroom,” Waterloo regional police said at the time.
-
All aboard! Retiree buys 'cheapest home in the GTA' -- a caboose
No bedroom, no bathroom, no kitchen. Why one retiree decided to buy -- and live -- in a caboose.
Vancouver
-
B.C. small businesses face cost challenges as national inflation rate hits 31-year high
The rising cost of food, shelter, and other expenses pushed Canada's inflation rate to a 31-year high last month. People are paying a lot more for many basic needs than they were last year at this time, and small businesses are also struggling to manage higher prices for the goods they need to keep going.
-
With record gas prices in B.C., is it worth going to the U.S. to fill your tank?
Like B.C., Washington state is seeing record-high gas prices. But it's significantly cheaper to fuel up in Blaine than just across the border in Surrey.
-
SFU researcher develops new tech-savvy search and rescue system
PhD student Brennan Jones wants to lend a helping hand to the B.C. search and rescue volunteers he calls heroes.
Vancouver Island
-
Caught on cam: Trees fall on Nanaimo home amid B.C. windstorm
A pair of tall trees toppled onto a Nanaimo, B.C., home Wednesday as a windstorm wreaked havoc on Vancouver Island.
-
Widespread power outages, cruise cancellation as windstorm hits Vancouver Island
Tens of thousands of BC Hydro customers across Vancouver Island were without power Wednesday morning as Environment Canada forecasted wind gusts over 100 km/h.
-
Saanich resident arrested for more than $10K in lumber thefts
West Shore RCMP say a Saanich, B.C., resident has been arrested after thousands of dollars worth of lumber was stolen out of the Colwood, B.C., area.