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"River of Tears" is a song based on what is told in Tanya Talaga's book "Seven Fallen Feathers," and several other sources, concerning the scourge of systemic anti-Indigenous racism and violence in Canada. It is offered as a sincere expression of remorse and a desire for radical change in Canada's relationship with Indigenous peoples.

Given the ongoing revelations of systemic racism in Thunder Bay and other Canadian cities and towns, I would like the existence of this song to make some kind of positive contribution.

Hence, going forward, all revenues from this song will be donated to the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre
tbifc.ca

This release is not endorsed by that centre or any other Indigenous organization; it is solely the gesture of one citizen.

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lyrics

Proud isolated city on the great lake so wide
Where the colonial and ancient will always collide
Where Reggie, Kyle, and Curran, and others of so few years
Met a lonely death in the river of tears

Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay,
All this country’s shame will not be explained away
Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay
All our apologies won’t wash the suffering away

Barbara Kentner was a mother on Ojibwe land
Viciously killed by an occupier’s hand
“I think I got one,” someone yelled as they took her down
Another blow for white rule in this divided town

Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay,
Racism and hatred can’t be explained away
Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay
All our false remorse can’t erase the pain

And we say that we’ve learned
We’ll deal with you as equals
But they say no, no, no
We just can’t believe you
After hundreds of years of tears
And broken promises
Why won’t we be better?

Trust is long gone now in a land of broken dreams
How can you strike a bargain with liars and thieves?
Stand up for each other if you believe in what’s right
Let’s drag this country forward, into the light

Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay,
All this country’s shame will not be explained away
Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay
All our apologies can’t wipe the suffering away

Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay,
Racism and hatred can’t be explained away
Oh, in the city of Thunder Bay
All our false remorse can’t take the pain away

credits

from River of Tears, released March 7, 2022
Allister Thompson: guitar, vocal, bass, drums
Matt Borghi: ambient guitar

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Allister Thompson - The Gateless Gate North Bay, Ontario

This is the place to meet the psychedelic, progressive, ambient, and folk/rock music of Allister Thompson released under his own name and as The Gateless Gate, Sons of Birches, Twilight Fields, and Khan Tengri.

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