Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/323637
PAGE 6 • JUNE 2014 It was with sadness the man nicknamed The Reverend, otherwise known as Percy Tuesday, passed away that man of music and friendship. Over the years, I interviewed Percy a number of times including a profile. Percy was born in Grassy River First Nation. "I went to five different residential schools," said Percy. "I went to St. Mary's in Kenora, St. Margaret's, St. Joseph's, St. John's and Assiniboine High School here in Winnipeg. That must be some kind of record." He came to prominence by being one of the first "Indians" to play music where many older people can remember seeing him play in one of those forgotten bars on Main Street back in the 70's. Always an honest guy, he said that there was a time when he went years without being sober. His family suffered because of his music and his drinking but said that's something he's got to realize and accept is a part of him. When I profiled him, Percy was a Native Addictions worker. Percy said, "I like to think that I've been able to do what I do because I've been there." When Percy learned the Medicine Wheel he had been sober for seven years but realized he was just abstaining and not getting at the root cause of his alcoholism. He said, "I don't claim to be an elder. Although, I am recognized as one but I'm not a healer, pipe carrier, don't conduct ceremonies or lead in a sweat." Never quick to judge others, he added that the hardest part of recovery is being able to forgive yourself and move forward. Back in April of this year, musicians got together for a living tribute to Percy Tuesday where his son Jason and his granddaughters performed carrying on a musical legacy. And the list of musical performers there to honour the man is just way too long to list them all but I can say it included a couple of Juno Award winners and nominees. A couple of years ago I showed up with my guitar at the Manitowapow book launch at McNally Robinson here in Winnipeg. Percy was there and after the book launch he borrowed my guitar singing a few tunes including Freddy Fender's "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" that can be seen on YouTube. I can honestly say that anytime spent with The Reverend was never wasted. Trevor Greyeyes here's to You percY tuesDAY it wAs never wAsteD DAYs nor wAsteD nights Percy Tuesday performing with the Billy Joe Green Band.