Mary Lou Smoke, of Batchewana First Nation, has been recognized for her contributions to London, Ontario’s music community.
Smoke is well known in the London area as a singer, guitarist and host (along with husband Dan Smoke) of the Smoke Signals radio program at the University of Western Ontario’s CHRW radio station.
“My heart is soaring like an eagle right now,” Smoke said upon accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Forest City London Music Awards April 28.
During her acceptance speech, Smoke spoke of her childhood, recalling feelings of being heartbroken, harassed and humiliated by the racist treatment she received from others at school, remembering her mother told her to stand up to them “because we were here first.”
A video shown at the award ceremony highlighted her lifelong admiration of the music of Buffy Sainte-Marie.
Sainte-Marie sent a congratulatory telegram to Smoke during her acceptance speech, stating she wished she could have been there at the award ceremony.
Smoke said she believes her greatest gift is helping women who have lived through domestic violence to find strength through learning and singing traditional Indigenous music.