Leader’s own Berk Jodoin receives awards
By Joan Janzen
Everyone has a story to tell, and Berk Jodoin from Leader is one of those storytellers. Berk shares his stories in the songs he writes and sings, and his artistry has been gaining significant recognition.
The local artist has recently been designated as the 2022 Sask. Music Awards Indigenous Artist of the Year, a Canadian Folk Music Award. Last week, Berk and his daughter Milly returned from Folk Alliance International in Kansas City, where they were showcased.
Berk Jodoin recently performed at Folk Alliance International in Kansas City. PHOTO SUBMITTED
“It was massive, so many talented songwriters. In every lobby, every corner, they were playing music. It was amazing to see! I was inspired for sure!” Berk raved about the experience. It was also an incredible opportunity for his daughter, Milly.
“Milly came along. She turned 15 when we were at the airport,” her dad said. “She’s my full time base player. I’m hoping some day I just watch her shows.”
Berk was happy to arrive back home in Saskatchewan, but it won’t be long before he will be travelling once again to receive yet another award.
“In March I fly to Vancouver for the Indigenous Songwriter of the Year Award,” he said, speaking matter-of-factly about this additional notable achievement. It appears the awards he receives are secondary in importance. What really matters to Berk, are the stories he gets to relay to his listeners.
“A lot of my songs are really deep, really important, telling stories that I believe need to be told,” he explained. “In the Indigenous world, mental health and addictions is big.”
Berk grew up in Pierceland, Sask., but has been living in Leader since 2005. “I came to Leader to play hockey with the Leader Flyers in 2005. I stuck around and was already married and we started our family here,” he explained. “Now I coach the little fellows, and that sure is fun.”
As for his musical talents, Berk didn’t start playing guitar until he was 20 years of age. Not only did he pursue and excel at hockey, but he was also a boxing competitor, as a member of the Sandhills Boxing Club. “After I hurt my back, I couldn’t train anymore, so I started writing and recording songs,” Berk said. Whether he’s playing hockey, boxing or writing and recording songs, it appears that Berk pours his heart into all he does. As a result, he receives a lot of positive feedback from his listeners.
“All my songs are true. I basically just take stories and write them,” he said. “My song ‘Indian Boy’, I wrote for my grandfather, who was a Cree man. The story of him surviving residential schools is a true story that needs to be told. We all have a platform. I use mine to bring awareness to things - for people to take action.”
Now people in Leader and area are excited about hearing Berk perform in Leader at the Leader Arts Council’s Black Birds Sessions on March 25th. Berk is a a member of the Leader Arts Council, and explained that one of the members had returned from a visit to Nashville where she took in a show. As a result, the arts council is putting on a show reminiscent of the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
“I know songwriters, so I put it together,” Berk said. Saskatchewan musicians - Jay Seminole, Vanessa Gauvin and Will Ardell will be performing, along with Berk. “Will is a songwriter and we both dress in black all the time, so Black Birds Sessions is a good name.”
“It’s the first time we’ve done something like this. We’re bringing in some really great songwriters and storytellers. They’ll take the time to explain the song, how it came to be, and what it means to them. They have songs that have a lot of story behind them. I think it’s going to be a great night,” Berk concluded.
The community and surrounding area are also looking forward to a great night, and extend sincere congratulations to Berk on his recent awards.