The Wake the Giant Music Festival is under criticism following a performance by Grammy-nominated headliner Flo Rida, who used alcohol props during the sober event in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on Saturday. The annual festival, established in 2019, aims to provide a secure and inclusive atmosphere for Indigenous youth from remote northern communities studying in the city.
CBC Thunder Bay contacted the festival for a response, and the festival directed them to a statement posted on social media on Sunday. In the statement, the festival’s team expressed regret and acknowledged the negative impact of the American rapper’s actions. They clarified that the props used were unauthorized and emphasized that alcohol was prohibited on their stage.
Furthermore, the festival team admitted to sharing the disappointment felt by many and assured the public that the performance did not align with the values of Wake the Giant or the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council. They took responsibility for booking the artist and pledged to apply the lessons learned to prioritize their core values in selecting artists in the future.
Notable performers at the event included the Wallflowers, featuring Jakob Dylan, and Tia Wood, a Cree and Salish pop singer-songwriter from Canada.
Esther Maud, a local resident attending the festival in the VIP section, expressed surprise and disappointment over Flo Rida’s performance. Being in recovery from alcohol for six years, Maud was shocked to see alcohol bottles on stage, especially in a space known for being alcohol and drug-free. Concerned about individuals in early recovery and children witnessing the display, Maud left the event after the third song.
Maud appreciated the festival’s response to the incident but believed the apology could have been more substantial, considering the impact it had on attendees. She emphasized the importance of using the incident as a learning opportunity and expressed continued support for the festival’s mission to empower youth.
Despite the incident, Maud remains hopeful that organizers will learn from this experience and continue their work to support Indigenous students and maintain the festival’s positive impact on the community.