John Wort Hannam has some tales to tell.
And a damned fine way of telling ’em.

As a young man back home in Alberta, his
degree in native American studies took him to biggest of Canada’s indigenous
reserves, the Kainai Blackfoot Nation, where he became a teacher in creative
writing.

It was an experience that served as an
inspiration when he quit the job to pursue his "little dream” of a career as a
singer-songwriter.

His stunning work, Man of God, is a
powerful condemnation of the 1950s church-run "residential schools”  for
First Nation children snatched from their families in an attempt to strip them
of their Indian culture  — and in which 4,000 died.  Survivors called
it Canada’s holocaust.

The magnificent song was played at the final Ottawa ceremonies of the Truth and
Reconciliation committee’s report into the scandal.

"If I ever went back to teaching , the
reserve  is where I’d go – in a second,” says John. But 20 years down the
line – and having stacked up many awards and nominations for his
beautifully-crafted albums,  he still happy on the road, singing his songs
about love, life and injustice.

The Calgary Herald is effusive, praising
his "rough-hewn” splendour …. "A voice that’s as rich and ripe as any autumnal;
harvest – songs caked in the muck of the earth and performances as simple as
they are heartfelt and honest.”

John’s philosophy ? "You’re dead a long
time so you’d better get out and try and make something beautiful.”