Sunday Verse William Prince

“The title track tells of a special place in Fisher Bay, Manitoba. A muster point for the soul.” William Prince talks about his inspiration to make “Gospel First Nation,” and the inherent conflict presented in this music, which is at once a tool and symbol of colonization and oppression, and yet also the music of comfort and solace from his upbringing on Peguis Nation.

For Episode Two, “Indians and Christians,” William Prince explores names, how words can wield negative or positive impacts on personal and shared identities. As the episode title attests, Prince unpacks how such words have impacted his feelings about his own identity, and how the making of Gospel First Nation has helped him make peace with those conflicting parts. “It’s a delicate relationship,” Prince says of his faith, “and I’ve taken the best of it, the songs and the gratitude."

“The time passes, the faces change, but the song stays the same.” In Episode Three, "When He Cometh" - the first song he remembers learning - William Prince delves further into his family history, expanding on the people in his life who helped shape him, including his unexpected “executive producer”, and the enduring memories of Prince Memorial Chapel.

“Just a Closer Walk With Thee”. What steals our joy? Where does hope come from? What does it take to believe in something so strongly that it pulls you through uncertain times? While discussing blind trust, music and grace, William explores one of humanity’s most complex questions: 'What is faith?' and, 'What does it mean to have faith when faced with not having enough to get by?'

“The God in the good time is the God in the bad time.” When confronted by hardship, we want to be able to turn to something to help get us through. Death and departures are at the centre of this week's episode, both in William's recollection of his childhood playing music with his father at wakes and his mother’s experience with the Sixties Scoop and the subsequent loss of culture, identity and family. Hear William’s answer to the enduring question, in song, “Does Jesus Care?”

“When Jesus Needs An Angel”. “It’s a mature song for a 14 year old to write.” In episode six, William talks about the early days of songwriting, touring and the internet, his father’s record deal at age 50 and how "CDs from the gas station” helped to support his family.