Latest news with #Pennell
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
South River soprano receives national award
Emma Pennell's talent is gaining national attention. The soprano singer from South River has been named the 2025 recipient of the RBC Emerging Artist National Award, presented in partnership with the National Arts Centre. Pennell will receive the award at the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Show on June 14 in Ottawa. Pennell emphasized in release, 'For many emerging artists, especially those from underrepresented communities, awards like this can be the difference between possibility and reality.' 'They help launch careers, yes, but they also signal to the world that these voices matter,' Pennell added. Pennell's family tree has its roots with the Mi'kmaw of Ktaqmkuk, the Indigenous peoples of Newfoundland. Raised in South River, Pennell discovered opera through the home's battery powered radio. Once enrolled in Cambrian College's music program in Sudbury, Pennell had the opportunity to hear live opera for the first time, during a student talent showcase. That moment changed Pennell's life. 'I showed up thinking someone's going to hand me a guitar and we're going to do some four-chord song jams,' said Pennell. 'But no. They do a student showcase, and my now-dear friend gets up and sings an opera aria. I'd never heard someone sing like that and it blew me away. You can't hide in the opera; you take up space which deeply resonated with me. That day, it was like a lightbulb went off.' At Cambrian, Pennell began formal vocal training and quickly made an impression. Pennell then went to Western University to complete her music degree while minoring in Indigenous studies. After Western, Pennell studies at The Glenn Gould School at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Pennell has performed at the Banff Centre, is currently workshopping Indians on Vacation with the Indigenous-led collective EQ and is preparing for a featured performance with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. The RBC Emerging Artist Award will come with a $25,000 prize to support their career development. 'This RBC Emerging Artist Award will have a transformative impact on my career,' Pennell said. 'This will help fund audition travel, vocal coaching, help refining my craft, and other essential professional development as I transition from a young artist into a full-time professional.' Pennell added, 'It will also support the creation of future projects that centre Indigenous narratives in opera, ensuring that my work remains rooted in community as it grows in scale and ambition.' David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Indigenous opera singer Emma Pennell wins $25K emerging artist award
Indigenous soprano Emma Pennell has won a $25,000 emerging artist award. The 27-year-old opera singer will receive the RBC Emerging Artist Award during weekend celebrations for the 2025 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. Pennell was chosen by a committee of artistic leaders at the National Arts Centre. Daphne Burt, senior manager of artistic planning for the NAC Orchestra, nominated Pennell, describing them as a star on the rise. Pennell says the award is a life-changing amount that would help cover the expensive costs of opera auditions, which often involve travel and stage attire. Pennell will receive the award at a special event on June 14th, part of the weekend of celebrations for the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. 'Not many people who come from places that I come from have these opportunities and so I owe it to all the Indigenous people that I've met along the way,' said Pennell, who has Ktaqmkuk Mi'kmaq roots and is from the village of South River in rural Northern Ontario. 'Our voices, our art, our performances and our bodies belong on these stages just like everybody else. I actually have no idea how the National Arts Centre found me, but they did! It's just amazing.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Indigenous opera singer Emma Pennell wins $25K emerging artist award
Indigenous soprano Emma Pennell has won a $25,000 emerging artist award. The 27-year-old opera singer will receive the RBC Emerging Artist Award during weekend celebrations for the 2025 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. Pennell was chosen by a committee of artistic leaders at the National Arts Centre. Daphne Burt, senior manager of artistic planning for the NAC Orchestra, nominated Pennell, describing them as a star on the rise. Pennell says the award is a life-changing amount that would help cover the expensive costs of opera auditions, which often involve travel and stage attire. Pennell will receive the award at a special event on June 14th, part of the weekend of celebrations for the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. 'Not many people who come from places that I come from have these opportunities and so I owe it to all the Indigenous people that I've met along the way,' said Pennell, who has Ktaqmkuk Mi'kmaq roots and is from the village of South River in rural Northern Ontario. 'Our voices, our art, our performances and our bodies belong on these stages just like everybody else. I actually have no idea how the National Arts Centre found me, but they did! It's just amazing.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025.
Global News
01-05-2025
- General
- Global News
For Mi'kmaq fishers working within Ottawa's baby eel rules, it's a ‘peaceful' season
Some Mi'kmaq harvesters say working within Ottawa's quotas for the contentious baby eel fishery is helping calm the tense atmosphere in their river workplaces. In the shallows of the Gold River last Friday night, as the tiny, translucent eels known as elvers emerged from the mud, Jay Pennell — a member of the nearby Wasoqopa'q First Nation — swept his nets back and forth through the water and recalled past confrontations. 'There's been lots of incidents on rivers we've been on in prior years,' Pennell said. 'But right here on Gold River, there's been nothing this year …. It's very peaceful.' By day he's a carpenter in the community 75 kilometres southwest of Halifax; at night he dons hip waders and dips a mesh net in the chilly tidal river, catching a 2025 quota allocated by the Kwilmu'kkw Maw-klusuaqn, or KMK — the administrative arm of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs. Story continues below advertisement Pennell said that before Ottawa negotiated the KMK fishery, relations were poor with non-Indigenous fishers harvesting the river. Under the new system, the First Nations under the KMK umbrella have exclusive rights. And Pennell said when Department of Fisheries and Oceans officers arrive, he refers them to the 'river monitor,' a member of the KMK team who logs each fisher's harvest. 'I find DFO is a lot more respectful this year when they come down to the water than in the past,' he said. 2:07 Baby eel poaching causing frustration in Canada's maritime provinces That's a sharp contrast with the strains elsewhere in the province between federal enforcement and Indigenous fishers who aren't accepting federal limits. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy On April 26, a fisherman from Sipeknekatik First Nation, one of three communities rejecting Ottawa's quota system, was charged with assault with a weapon for allegedly backing his car into a fisheries officer who wanted to inspect his catch. Days earlier, four men were arrested for fishing without licences and 60 kilograms of elvers — worth about $100,000 — were seized and released back into the Musquodoboit River. Story continues below advertisement Justin Martin, who oversees the KMK program, said his team of nine is making progress in establishing the 'communal' fishery, even amid the occasional harshly worded social media post from Mi'kmaq fishers who criticize the catch limits being imposed. 'There's a public perception of lawlessness in this fishery and that's not the case. We have hundreds of fishers actively demonstrating self-governed, conservation-based management,' Martin said in an interview Friday. Under the rules negotiated with Ottawa, the eight First Nations in KMK have received a total quota of just over 1,900 kilograms — about 20 per cent of the total elver catch for the Maritimes. This quota and exclusive access to certain rivers was shifted from the commercial licence-holders, who have received no compensation for the transfer. Martin said the communities involved have opted to allow a large number of fishers with small maximum catches, based on the Mi'kmaq principle of 'Netukulimk,' which roughly translates as 'take only what you need.' He said that's meant about 750 fishers were allocated an initial minimum quota of one kilogram, with the ability to apply for up to four more kilograms after they catch their first kilogram. In addition, he said KMK prohibits the use of 'highly efficient' fyke nets, a funnel-shaped net that can catch large quantities of elvers. Stanley King, a manager with commercial licence holder Atlantic Elver Fishery Ltd., said in a recent email that while reconciliation with First Nations 'is a worthwhile pursuit,' the family-owned businesses have lost large portions of their livelihood. He said it's simply wrong that Ottawa hasn't provided compensation. Story continues below advertisement He also said it's unfair KMK fishers are permitted to track their catch on a separate app before the information is transferred to the federal 'Elver Monitoring and Traceability' app his employees use. He worries that opens the door to some of the catch not being reported. Debra Buott-Matheson, a spokeswoman for DFO Maritimes, said in an email that the department is working with KMK to ensure information from their harvesters is entered into their system. 1:52 Federal government scraps elver fishery quota plan after backlash 2:08 Federal fisheries proposal would slash commercial elver quota in 2025 Prices, meanwhile, have plunged this season, from highs of about $5,000 per kilogram two seasons ago to current levels of $1,500 per kilogram — a concern for longtime elver fishers and the new Indigenous entrants. Story continues below advertisement David Bishop, another Wasoqopa'q fisher working on the Gold River, said that while he appreciates the calm on the water, the tight catch limits mean small returns for the effort he puts in. He thinks committed fishers like him who are willing to put in long hours should get a higher quota. 'There are people who may be here just a few days who have the right to have the same catch I have,' he said. With current prices, five kilograms of elvers brings in about $7,500, a fraction of the roughly $30,000 Pennell said he could earn a few seasons ago when prices were higher. However, he said he's hopeful in future seasons prices will return to old levels. And the elver income helps his daughter, who fishes her quota alongside him, to cover expenses like her university tuition. 'This is the first year. We're going to learn from this and build on it,' he said.
Hamilton Spectator
01-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
For Mi'kmaq fishers working within Ottawa's baby eel rules, it's a ‘peaceful' season
GOLD RIVER - Some Mi'kmaq harvesters say working within Ottawa's quotas for the contentious baby eel fishery is helping calm the tense atmosphere in their river workplaces. In the shallows of the Gold River last Friday night, as the tiny, translucent eels known as elvers emerged from the mud, Jay Pennell — a member of the nearby Wasoqopa'q First Nation — swept his nets back and forth through the water and recalled past confrontations. 'There's been lots of incidents on rivers we've been on in prior years,' Pennell said. 'But right here on Gold River, there's been nothing this year .... It's very peaceful.' By day he's a carpenter in the community 75 kilometres southwest of Halifax; at night he dons hip waders and dips a mesh net in the chilly tidal river, catching a 2025 quota allocated by the Kwilmu'kkw Maw-klusuaqn, or KMK — the administrative arm of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs. Pennell said that before Ottawa negotiated the KMK fishery, relations were poor with non-Indigenous fishers harvesting the river. Under the new system, the First Nations under the KMK umbrella have exclusive rights. And Pennell said when Department of Fisheries and Oceans officers arrive, he refers them to the 'river monitor,' a member of the KMK team who logs each fisher's harvest. 'I find DFO is a lot more respectful this year when they come down to the water than in the past,' he said. That's a sharp contrast with the strains elsewhere in the province between federal enforcement and Indigenous fishers who aren't accepting federal limits. On April 26, a fisherman from Sipeknekatik First Nation, one of three communities rejecting Ottawa's quota system, was charged with assault with a weapon for allegedly backing his car into a fisheries officer who wanted to inspect his catch. Days earlier, four men were arrested for fishing without licences and 60 kilograms of elvers — worth about $100,000 — were seized and released back into the Musquodoboit River. Justin Martin, who oversees the KMK program, said his team of nine is making progress in establishing the 'communal' fishery, even amid the occasional harshly worded social media post from Mi'kmaq fishers who criticize the catch limits being imposed. 'There's a public perception of lawlessness in this fishery and that's not the case. We have hundreds of fishers actively demonstrating self-governed, conservation-based management,' Martin said in an interview Friday. Under the rules negotiated with Ottawa, the eight First Nations in KMK have received a total quota of just over 1,900 kilograms — about 20 per cent of the total elver catch for the Maritimes. This quota and exclusive access to certain rivers was shifted from the commercial licence-holders, who have received no compensation for the transfer. Martin said the communities involved have opted to allow a large number of fishers with small maximum catches, based on the Mi'kmaq principle of 'Netukulimk,' which roughly translates as 'take only what you need.' He said that's meant about 750 fishers were allocated an initial minimum quota of one kilogram, with the ability to apply for up to four more kilograms after they catch their first kilogram. In addition, he said KMK prohibits the use of 'highly efficient' fyke nets, a funnel-shaped net that can catch large quantities of elvers. Stanley King, a manager with commercial licence holder Atlantic Elver Fishery Ltd., said in a recent email that while reconciliation with First Nations 'is a worthwhile pursuit,' the family-owned businesses have lost large portions of their livelihood. He said it's simply wrong that Ottawa hasn't provided compensation. He also said it's unfair KMK fishers are permitted to track their catch on a separate app before the information is transferred to the federal 'Elver Monitoring and Traceability' app his employees use. He worries that opens the door to some of the catch not being reported. Debra Buott-Matheson, a spokeswoman for DFO Maritimes, said in an email that the department is working with KMK to ensure information from their harvesters is entered into their system. Prices, meanwhile, have plunged this season, from highs of about $5,000 per kilogram two seasons ago to current levels of $1,500 per kilogram — a concern for longtime elver fishers and the new Indigenous entrants. David Bishop, another Wasoqopa'q fisher working on the Gold River, said that while he appreciates the calm on the water, the tight catch limits mean small returns for the effort he puts in. He thinks committed fishers like him who are willing to put in long hours should get a higher quota. 'There are people who may be here just a few days who have the right to have the same catch I have,' he said. With current prices, five kilograms of elvers brings in about $7,500, a fraction of the roughly $30,000 Pennell said he could earn a few seasons ago when prices were higher. However, he said he's hopeful in future seasons prices will return to old levels. And the elver income helps his daughter, who fishes her quota alongside him, to cover expenses like her university tuition. 'This is the first year. We're going to learn from this and build on it,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2025.
