Indigenous teen releases song about overcoming residential school trauma

A 12 months after releasing a really private track, 16-year-old singer-songwriter DeeDee Austin is following up with an equally vital sequel.

DeeDee was barely a youngster when she first began writing a really highly effective track, which she launched final 12 months on Nationwide Indigenous Peoples Day.

“The primary ‘Buried Fact’ is in regards to the residential faculties and what they did to our individuals, and the way our tradition and heritage was ripped from us little Indigenous individuals,” DeeDee mentioned.

“My great-grandmother was a residential faculty survivor as most of you already know, so this can be a very, very emotional and touching matter for me.”

On Tuesday, DeeDee debuted a sequel, known as “Buried Fact Half 2 and three,” which she says is much more uplifting.

“‘Buried Fact Half 2 and three’ is extra so nearly discovering ourselves once more, coming collectively as one, attempting to heal inside one other,” mentioned DeeDee.

She says, at first, she was nervous to share such private music, however not anymore.

“I have been embracing my tradition increasingly as days go by,” she mentioned. “I am getting extra snug. I have been studying my language and talking it somewhat bit.”

Her new track comes precisely a 12 months after the unique.

“As a result of it is Nationwide Indigenous Peoples Day,” mentioned DeeDee. “It is only a very loving day, a really completely satisfied day, as a result of it is a day the place we concentrate on us as Indigenous individuals.”

DeeDee marked the event with a particular efficiency in Prince Edward Island Tuesday evening.

“Opening up for Silver Wolf Band in Charlottetown on the Guild Theatre,” she mentioned.

As for the remainder of DeeDee’s summer time, she says it is packed.

“I’ve 17 reveals this summer time so, I am very busy and I simply hope they preserve coming.”