Tom Wilson’s journey of truth and reconciliation with his true identity enthralled Orillia audiences.
“I’m the one they couldn’t hang,” said the Hamilton-based singer introducing himself to his fans who gathered Friday night at St. Paul’s Centre for the Huronia Cultural Campus (HCC) event.
The night was a mix of Wilson reading from his best-selling book, Beautiful Scars, and singing some of his popular songs.
“I grew up thinking I was a big, puffy, sweaty Irish man,” he said, getting into the story of how he discovered the truth about his heritage at 53. “I’m actually a big, puffy, sweaty Mohawk.”
Wilson found out he was adopted during a conversation with a stranger who was taking him to his hotel room in Manitoba. He held the secret to his chest until he confided in a cousin, who turned out to be his mom.
Wilson got a call from Penguin Random House after he told his story on CBC Radio. And that’s how he revealed his beautiful scars to the world.
Now, said Wilson, people ask him what does it mean to be Mohawk?
“It’s my duty as a Mohawk to work to bring dignity, pride and respect to my culture through my music and my next book,” he said.
The message in his works, said Wilson, is that of love. “If we all lead with love and understanding, we’re going to heal the country of the gaps created by colonialism,” he said.
Wilson, who was a member of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and goes by the persona LeE HARVeY OsMOND, sang songs to complement the story he was telling.
His music had the audience charmed and thrilled.
“I thought it was wonderful,” said Alyssa Wright. “I think the combination of music and storytelling was wonderful.”
The Barrie resident said she had heard Wilson’s CBC interview with Miriam Toews and had to come see him perform live.
And Wright brought along a friend who had never heard Wilson perform live.
“I think the strongest point was how well he placed the realization of his true identity,” said Rae Smith. “It was a very powerful show and a wonderful evening of storytelling. It was just well done.”
Both were not only enthralled by Wilson’s deep, resonating baritone, but were also awed by accompanying Hamilton musician Jesse O’Brien.
“The pianist was brilliant,” said Wright, who is a cellist. “He played very tastefully and let Tom’s music speak, rather than showing off what he could do.”
Fred Larsen, HCC board chair, was delighted by how the evening turned out.
“It was a wonderful concert,” he said. “I think Tom has transcended his music a little bit by telling his story and what it meant to him.”
In this time of healing between the First Nations and everyone else, said Larsen, Wilson is a living example of truth and reconciliation.
“I think he’s a catalyst now for bringing people together. And I’m delighted the HCC has played a small part in bringing him here, as well as other First Nations writers,” said Larsen.
Wilson said this was likely his best show ever in Orillia.
“It was a completely loving audience,” he said. “I signed a lot of books and people stayed in line and waited.”
Larsen said he was glad to see people come out to HCC events and is looking forward to the enactment of Cottagers and Indians at St. Paul's Centre in February.
For more information on upcoming HCC programming, visit their website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
hccpresents/).
The Huronia Cultural Campus is a not-for-profit organization, which began its activities in 2015 in the Orillia area and is committed to and firmly believes in providing Orillia and area with experiences in contemporary arts.
