Vince Fontaine remembered for his music, impact on Indigenous community
A mainstay of Manitoba’s music scene and Juno Award-winning musician Vince Fontaine died suddenly on Tuesday.
Since then, words of remembrance have flooded social media as he is being remembered for his musical contributions and so much more.
On Monday, Vince filmed a video for a sick friend. No one knew it would be one of his last performances.
“He just died suddenly, and I think our family is in quite a shock,” said Nahanni Fontaine, Vince’s niece.
Vince, a member of Sagkeeng First Nation, died of a heart attack on Tuesday at the age of 60, according to Nahanni, who is the MLA for St. Johns.
Nahanni noted that culture was always at the forefront of Vince’s music
“His vision for his music and his craft was that it was a vehicle for non-Indigenous peoples to understand the Indigenous reality in Canada,” she said.
Jay Bodner, Vince’s Eagle & Hawk bandmate of 25 years, remembers his commitment to bringing Indigenous culture into the mainstream, which was not easy for the duo in their early days.
“It was a lot of really difficult times. In the early days, we were often looked at as a bit of curiosity from the non-Indigenous world,” Bodner said.
Vince would go on to release over 10 albums, play around the world, and earn a Juno Award.
In 2012, he was inducted into the Manitoba Aboriginal Music Hall of Fame.
David McLeod, manager of NCI Radio Network, said it was an important moment of recognition.
“It was an Indigenous audience, Indigenous led. It was celebrating the fact that Vince had made such a difference and contribution and also looked out for young, up-and-coming talent,” McLeod said.
Vince is also being remembered for raising awareness on social issues that impact the Indigenous community
“Not only in the capacity as an entertainer, but as a citizen, he was more than eager to come and stand by us,” said Grand Chief Arlen Dumas of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
While Vince will certainly be remembered for his music, friends and family say his children were his most important legacy
“He always put his family first and they’re very, very close. That love and commitment to his family and that pride in his family will live on in his children’s children and his grandchildren,” Nahanni said.
Jacquie Black, filmmaker and storyteller, was the friend Vince was making a farewell video for on Monday.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said she has also passed away.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.