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Alanis Obomsawin on the story behind her secret 1988 album Bush Lady

In 1988, legendary filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin made a deeply political album called Bush Lady — and then she tossed it into a closet. Now, decades later, someone has finally stumbled upon this amazing work of art.
CBC Radio ·
(Jean-François Villeneuve)

Alanis Obomsawin is one of Canada's most distinguished filmmakers. She's directed more than 50 films that focus on Indigenous communities and she's an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Back in the '80s Obomsawin​ was a folk singer. She made an incredible record called Bush Lady — a deeply political album, full of haunting songs about Indigenous experiences. But when it came time to release the record, the business side turned her off, so she tossed the record into a closet.

Now, decades later, someone has finally stumbled upon this amazing work of art.

Tomorrow night, for the first time in Canada in 30 years, Obomsawin will be performing her entire Bush Lady record live in Montreal. She joined Tom Power to explain the story behind the record that's been three decades in the making.

The re-release of her 1988 album, Bush Lady, is out now. If you're in Montreal on Friday, September 28, you can catch Obomsawin​ performing that whole record live as part of the POP Montreal music festival.

Hear the full conversation with Alanis Obomsawin near the top of this page. 

— Produced by ​Saroja Coelho

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