Videos

SMASH is pleased to present our newest addition to the “Consent is SMASHing” campaign!

“It’s Not a Bad Life, Just a Bad Day.” Is an original song written by a group of youth from Kugluktuk, Nunavut. Recorded in December 2021 at Monarch Studios in Vancouver,The lead writer, vocalist and guitar player is a young man from Kugluktuk, Kendrick Bolt, who is also a travelling Peer Facilitator with the SMASH program (Strength, Masculinities, and Sexual Health). Supporting musicians include Kenton Loewen on drums, Pete Schmitt on Bass and PIQSIQ sisters Tiffany Ayalik and Inuksuk Mackay providing backup vocals.

Our Peer Facilitator, Kendrick Bolt, and his young writing team wanted to do something to help raise awareness around gender-based violence and show one another that there are better ways to cope with trauma and other difficulties in life.

“We wanted to write a song that talks about the effects of violence on us and our peers and ways to cope that are healthy and healing,” says Kendrick

Nunavut experiences elevated rates of all types of violence when compared to other regions in Canada. According to a first of its kind study conducted by the Government of Nunavut, in the 2019-2020 school year, there were more than 1,000 violent incidents in Nunavut’s schools.

The most recent statistic from the Government of Canada, collected in 2016, reveal that gender is a factor when it comes to violence. It was found that of the 2,707 people who indicated they had experienced some type of violence, 64% were women and 36% were men.

The project also included a mentorship opportunity for Kendrick to learn how to produce and release music from other community conscious artists in the music industry. “I think it’s incredible when young people look out for other young people using art to support each other,” says the song’s producer, Ruby Singh. “Working with Kendrick on this song was so good for the soul. Witnessing his compassion for fellow youth and his commitment to his artistry was an absolute honour.”

Inuk director and producer Tiffany Ayalik (Copper Quartz Media) produced the accompanying music video. “It’s so amazing to help put something together for an artist from my home community,” says Ayalik. “Seeing young emerging Inuit artists be supported in putting their work out there, especially when it relates to community wellness, is reconciliation in action.”

“The experience was life changing,” says Bolt. “The whole team was so supportive of me and I got a lot of mentorship for my music. I can’t wait to record with them again.”

Editing, special effects and additional footage for the music video were provided by Reel Youth, a media empowerment project that delivers community development programming to youth and adults across Canada and internationally.

Listen to the track for free here:

 

Bandcamp:

https://foxysmash.bandcamp.com/track/not-a-bad-life

 

SoundCloud:

This project has been funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada.

The Consent is SMASHING campaign is a collaboration between young men and non-binary youth throughout the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon via our SMASH Peer Leader Retreat Program. The purpose of this campaign is to guide young people as they practice consent and healthy relationships, while providing possible ways to approach these topics.

If you are interested in having FOXY and SMASH attend your school or community, where students learn about consent, healthy relationships, sexual health, and mental health using visual and performing arts, please email us at candice@arcticfoxy.com. Our workshops are evidence-based, extensively evaluated, and are provided at-no-cost to schools!

(Lyrics)
It’s Not a Bad Life, Just a Bad Day
The storms in our heads
We need to let it out
The pain deep inside

Feels like going to war
When the wave takes you under
Scared to lose control
Don’t know what way is up 

Can’t see anything at all

Remember to breathe

Feel what you feel
Talk it through with someone
Talk until you heal

(Chorus)

You’re not alone

You’re not alone
We all struggle
You’re not alone
Sometimes you see it 

And sometimes you can’t
Just take my hand
Together we’ll stand

How do we hurt
Without causing more pain?
How do we heal
And break all the chains?

We need to stop the cycles
From getting passed on
Being kind and gentle
Is how we are strong

It’s not a bad life 

Just a bad day

We can make it through anything
There’s always a way
There’s always a way

(Chorus)

You’re not alone
You’re not alone
We all struggle
You’re not alone

Sometimes you feel it
And sometimes you can’t
Just take my hand
And together we’ll stand

Just ride out the wave
And see the other side
Just focus on the moment
It will help you get by

There are so many ways
To get it all out
That don’t use our fists
Or our voices to shout

Our ancestors are wise
They show us the way
They lived through so much
So we could be here today

(Chorus)
You’re not alone
You’re not alone
We all struggle
You’re not alone

Sometimes you see it
And sometimes you can’t
Just take my hand
Together we’ll stand

You’re not alone

You’re not alone

We all struggle

You’re not alone

Sometimes you feel it
And sometimes you can’t
Just take my hand
And together we’ll stand