Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

INUVIK - Willie Thrasher is thinking of his home in the North for inspiration on his next album.

Thrasher, who was born in Aklavik and raised in Inuvik, has spent many of his days writing music and looking to re-connect to his lost way of life. Now, he can be found at his new home in Nanaimo B.C., where he lives with partner and fellow artist Linda Saddleback.

Willie Thrasher is an Inuvialuit songwriter born in Aklavik. He is now living in Nanaimo, B.C., where he has just released his fourth album. - photo courtesy of Anthony Maki

Like most local musicians, Thrasher got his start playing with other like-minded musicians from the region.

"I remember playing with Louie Goose one night at a Christmas dance at Family Hall," recalled Thrasher.

During that fateful show Thrasher came to realize his true potential and talent.

"There was an old man at the dance who came up to us to talk about our music," he said.

At the time, Thrasher, Goose and the band had been playing popular covers.

"The man asked us why we weren't making our own songs," he said.

Thrasher said the man, who he had never seen before, said the men should sing about their rich culture and way of life.

Thrasher admitted to not knowing much about the Inuvialuit way of life because of his experiences through residential schooling.

"I never saw that man after that night. I'll never forget him," he said.

In 1967, Thrasher was moved to Yellowknife, where he stayed at Akaitcho hall.

"I was the drummer of a rock band then," he said.

During his time in Yellowknife, Thrasher said a lot of challenges hit him at once and tested his inner strength.

"I got a lot of encouragement from my brother Lawrence," he said.

"He was a part of my life that kept me going."

In 1971, Thrasher moved again, this time to Whitehorse, where he fought fires for a living.

"I lost a finger there so I learned how to play guitar with only three fingers," he said.

Decades later, Thrasher has a new home. But that isn't stopping him from reaching his goal to record his music.

"I talk a bit about the culture in my new album, Asumatak," he said.

Asumatak is his fourth released studio recording.

Since Thrasher spent so much time away from his home and traditional way of life, he wants to reach out and learn more about the Northern style of music.

"I want to work with other aboriginal artists like Dennis Allen," he said.

He also plans to take the culture on the road with him.

"I want to wear a traditional drummer's parka on stage," he said. "I also want to incorporate the drums in the start of my shows."

Earlier this summer, Thrasher met up with members of the Aklavik drummers and dancers, who were in Nanaimo for the North American Indigenous Games.

"It was really nice to see them. It made me really homesick," he said.