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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Hip hop recording artist Kiera Kolson encourages youth around the country with her message of hope, pride and empowerment.

Last weekend she travelled to Winnipeg to record footage for a suicide prevention video for youth, which is being developed through the Assembly of First Nations, the Native Women's Association of Canada and the National Association of Friendship Centres.

Folk singer, activist and digital artist Buffy Sainte-Marie - photo courtesy of Buffy Saint-Marie

This week she is in Northern Quebec to meet with Cree youth in Grades 5 and up.

"I'm there to inspire them and let them know about my journey and the things I've gone through," she said.

Folk legend, digital artist and educator Buffy Sainte-Marie is one of the women Kolson cites as her inspiration.

"She's so multitalented," Kolson said.

"I see her and what she's accomplished for herself and for her people and the preservation of her identity, especially with regards to the teaching program she initiated in Hawaii. Youth from Hawaii can learn about other indigenous youth and their culture.

"I think that's so cool because I'd love to initiate something like that back home. She was an orphan and ended up finding herself and being the change that she knew she had to be. She continues to be that icon and that symbol for young, emerging, native female (artists)."

Sainte-Marie released her first album since 1992 late last month. The new disc, Running for the Drum, features a dozen songs coupled with a DVD biography of the artist.

Born at the Piapot (Cree) Reserve in Saskatchewan and raised in Maine and Massachusetts, Sainte-Marie has travelled the world sharing her voice and her message of cultural survival and pride. She inspired Northerners during two appearances at the Folk on the Rocks festival in last two decades. Entertainment Pages interviewed the artist online during her recent album release tour. Following is an excerpt from the interview.

Daron Letts: You played Yellowknife's Folk on the Rocks festival in 1987 and 1996. What memories do you have of those experiences?

Buffy Sainte-Marie: I remember Yellowknife very well, especially visually, and I'd love to come back. The location, truly on the rocks, was spectacular and unique and the way you guys had the stage set up was great. Very welcoming and down home.

I also remember the incredible, long, long sunset. While I was in town I visited a Dene elders' centre and people were so nice to me.

I remember proposing an idea: giving video cameras to elders so that they could film one another whenever they felt like recording memories and observations and providing non-intrusive support to make the job easy. I wonder if it ever happened?

I also remember a beautiful boat ride with forest on all sides and watching eagles being pestered by smaller birds; and borrowing a coat from a kind friend and feeling totally comfy.

Occasionally in my travels I have spent a little time with Ethel Blondin Andrews and it always brings back wonderful memories of Yellowknife. Your town has the coolest name.