Thirty years of rocking Muddy Water

The 30th annual Muddy Water Music Festival (MWMF) was a big hit for young community members.
The music festival featured long-time MWMF comers Bruthers of Different Muthers, Fred Mitchell and Sandman – a Metallica tribute band – and plenty of other artists local and abroad.
The festival featured many music styles ranging from gospel to country to metal.
Roy Kakegamic, economic development officer for Sandy Lake First Nation (SLFN) coordinated the music festival.
Kakegamic said that getting youth involved in the festival process helped them develop learning skills so that they may someday help coordinate it themselves.
“I believe in what the music festival does,” said Kakegamic. “I like seeing young people involved.”
The MWMF started Wednesday night with a sound check and a preview night featuring the talent of local artists, helping the performers learn and get used to the sound system.
“Thursday night was youth night, so there was a lot of hip-hop artists, and Friday was more of a rock and metal night,” said Kakegamic.
Casey Linklater, a local hip-hop artist from Sandy Lake, said that the festival definitely had its highlights.
“The way I see it is these new rappers out here are doing pretty good,” said Linklater. “I’m seeing a lot of effort in these guys.”
Linklater said the new artists inspired him.
Kakegamic said that Saturday was more of a country and soft-pop night, and the festival would conclude on Sunday with a gospel music night.
“I think we targeted every age group in Sandy Lake,” said Kakegamic.
Kakegamic said that he is trying to move away from organizing the MWMF.
“In my mind, I want to slowly step aside from coordinating, but still help with proposals to get funding,” said Kakegamic.
He added that a big problem with this year’s music festival was that it was left to the last minute and they didn’t get funding from the Ontario Arts Council (OAC).
A lot of the organization was done last minute, and with the combination of people working together and just not wanting to let this go.
Having sat as a jury member for the OAC, Kakegamic said he learned a great deal about writing proposals, Kakegamic said he envisions a music festival council that plans, organizes and coordinates the music festival.
“Many times I fall into a position where I have to make all the decisions,” said Kakegamic. “I’m trying to set up the organizational structure and hire a coordinator to run the festival.”
He said its part of a skills development idea he has for the youth, and he said that the MWMF is potentially a “great vehicle for economic revenue.”
Fred Mitchell, a self-described singer-songwriter, entertainer and actor said the festival went great.
“The talent was phenomenal as per usual, and everybody had a great time,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell said he’d love to come back for years to come.