Building bridges between all communities
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/564929
SEPTEMBER 2015 • PAGE 9 enteRtaiment Beat RoseAnna Schick. RAS Creative Easyfinancingavailable, greatselectionofbothnewandused, hugeselectionofparts, yourallpurposedealer. Shane Lachman (204) 895-8882 shane.lachman@canamrv.com www.canamrv.com Easyfinanc Congratulationsto KevinHartonyour electiontotheAssembly ofManitoba(AFN) NationalExecutive •FirstNationEconomicDevelopmentPartnership •RTMHomeBuilding •GeneralConstructionCivilandBuildingConstruction •CORECertifiedonthejobconstructionequipmenttraining availableonrequest •FullyBondedInsured •Commercialandresidentialbuilding,petroleumhydrocarbon remediation,roadbuilding,hazardouswasteremoval,site development,heavyequipmenttraining WinnipegEnvironmentalRemediations Offersafullrangeofservices including,butnotlimitedto: Wehaveworkedwithmorethan20 FirstNationCommunities www.weri.ca WERI–WinnipegEnvironmentalRemediationsIncorporated 4040MainSt.WestSt.Paul,MB R4A1A7 Phone204.339.5193•Fax204.334.6933•Emailadmin@weri.ca P eople from all over the world face struggles of all kinds, and music can be an effective way to reflect harsh global realities. Winnipeg-based musician Franklin Fernando hopes to do just that – shine a light on the troubles in his former homeland, while offering inspiration. When Fernando moved to Winnipeg in 2007 after growing up in war-torn Sri Lanka, the teenager empathized with his fellow Tamils. He wanted to let the rest of the world know what was happening over there, and wanted to share how his own family felt firsthand the persecution and prejudice of a majority group. So he found himself compelled to take action – but didn't know what to do. It didn't take long for Fernando to realize that his best weapon was a Fender Stratocaster, and the best ammunition would be an arsenal of songs about peace, empowerment and prosperity. "We're trying to open people's eyes to what's happening in the world," says Fernando about what he wants to relay through his rhythms. "Music is known as the gateway to the soul, and the gateway to the heart. We also believe that, perhaps most importantly, music is the gateway to the mind." On September 26, Franklin Fernando and reggae outfit RasTamils will release their second recording It's A Dream at a Winnipeg concert before heading out on a Canadian tour this fall. A collection of 11 dance-inducing anthems, It's A Dream is laced with ever-potent, politically-charged lyrics in solidarity with the Tamil people of Sri Lanka. It's also a reflection of simple day-to-day life that is universal in theme, and that anyone can relate to. The name RasTamils combines two words representative of two cultures – 'Ras' (short for Rastafarian) and 'Tamils' (the name of Sri Lanka's minority people). Putting these two words together reflects the hope that Franklin Fernando and his bandmates share of cultures coming together around the world. As for Fernando himself, he has a unique take on success that might best be summarized in the words of a quote by Booker T. Washington: "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome." Catch RasTamils in concert at the Pyramid Cabaret at 176 Fort Street. For more information, visit www.rastamils.com.