'Be gentle to our leaders': Vancouver musician on legacy of late Inuk artist Kelly Fraser
'Kelly was so beloved to our indigenous community,' says Vancouver-based musician J.B. the First Lady
Canada's music community especially the close-knit Indigenous music scene is still reeling from the death of young Inuk singer Kelly Fraser.
On Monday, her family confirmedFraserhad died by suicide Christmas Eve in Winnipeg, where she had been living. She was 26.
Jerilynn Webster a.k.a. J.B. the First Lady, a Vancouver-based hip-hop musician from the Nuxalk and Onondaga nations, says her death has been particularly painful.
"Kelly was so beloved to our indigenous community," she told host Stephen Quinn on CBC's The Early Edition.
J.B. and Fraser had performed together on several occasions, and Fraser had spent some time in Vancouver in the past few years.
"When you see another Indigenous female onstage, you're, like, instantly cousins," J.B. said. "She was always super smiley and so open and giving and loving."
J.B. said watching a young artist like Fraser useher Inuktitutlanguage in her art and music was powerful. Fraser first came to prominence with a viral video singing Rihanna's song Diamonds in Inuktitut.
"It's just so powerful because our legacy of residential schools has taught us to not be proud of who we are, and to take away the language," J.B. said.
"She really was able to be that role model that we needed."
In a statement, Fraser's family said she had suffered from PTSD[post-traumatic stress disorder]for many years as a result of childhood traumas, racism and persistent cyberbullying.
J.B. says being a young Indigenous woman in the music industry is tough where you're expected to not only handle being in the music industry, but represent your community and family.
She says community can be a double-edged sword: itcan be extremely supportive but also very hard on you.
"You gotta have that thick skin. But at the same time you're ... baring your heart."
For J.B., whohas also dealt with post-traumatic stress and mental health struggles, digging into her music and working with young people has helped.
In such a tough environment, it's important to be gentle, she said.
"This is a deep reminder to the Indigenous community how important it is to be gentle to our leaders, to our cultural language teachers, and our youth workers, and the people that deal with the heavy complexities of colonialism every day."
Where to get help
If you're worried someone you know may be at risk of suicide, you should talk to them about it, says the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention.
- Nunavut KamatsiaqtutHelpLine 1-800-265-3333
- Embrace Life Council
- Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or live chat counsellingonline
- Hope for WellnessHelp Line 1-855-242-3310
- Canada Suicide Prevention Service1-833-456-4566 or text45645 or chat atcrisisservicescanada.ca
- In French:Association qubcoise de prvention du suicide 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)
- Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
- Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program, Northern Region 1-800-464-8106
Listen to the interview with J.B. the First Lady here:
With files from The Early Edition
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