Mr. Speaker, there is exciting news for the music industry in Cape Breton. Morgan Toney has just won his first Juno Award, for traditional roots album of the year. He was honoured for his album “Heal the Divide”, which showcases the signature Mi'kmaltic genre, a blend of Mi'kmaq stories and Celtic tunes.
From the small community of Wagmatcook, Morgan Toney's fiddle gets people stomping their feet or doing the traditional Mi'kmaq ko'jua dance. Morgan Toney stated that his win is dedicated to his late mother and that he always keeps her in his heart while creating music.
Morgan records at the Barn Bhreagh studio in Baddeck with Keith Mullins, a studio known for promoting the Mi'kmaq language. Morgan always finds time to collaborate with others, kindly lending his fiddle to help other recording artists. Morgan Toney continues to inspire and make his community, his nation and all of Cape Breton proud.
[Member spoke in Mi'kmaq and provided the following text:]
Welaliek, Morgan. Welukwen aq siawi' keleukw telatike nitap.
[Member provided the following translation:]
“Thank you, Morgan. You're doing great. Keep up the good work.”