RED DEER – Make every day count.
That was the inspirational message about 4,000 students from grades 6 to 10 from Innisfail, Penhold, Red Deer, Olds and the surrounding communities heard from the Robb Nash Project during a three-day concert series.
The concerts were held at the Prairie Pavilion at Westerner Park in Red Deer from June 4 to 6.
Innisfail’s Alearra Day Chief, 16, came up with the idea for the event when attending a Youth Leadership Conference last summer at Regina’s RCMP Depot.
“It’s phenomenal. It’s a cool experience and I’m proud to be a part of it,” said Day Chief, recalling the first time she saw Canadian musician Robb Nash perform in concert.
“When I first met him, I was going through a really rough day,” she said, noting a concert in Stettler four years ago. “Then I found out he was coming to my school. It was just amazing and it made me have a better perspective on life.”
Day Chief appreciates Nash’s authentic and genuine approach to his fans and his music.
“He’s the same on stage as he is in person,” said Day Chief. “Usually you don’t meet a lot of people like that and it’s awesome.”
Day Chief had a chance to speak with Nash prior to the June 6 concert when he signed her guitar and sang an impromptu song with her.
Following the show, Day Chief was invited on stage by Nash where he thanked her for helping organize the event, and gave her his guitar, which he signed and used for part of the concert.
Innisfail RCMP Const. Craig Nelson, the detachment's school resource officer who partnered with Day Chief in organizing the concerts, said the three-day concert series was one to remember.
"It’s really impactful for the kids. We’ve heard some amazing feedback from our students,” said Nelson.
Nash has been sharing his music and motivational message with young people for close to a decade after being given a second chance at life following a car crash.
“We’ve been doing this tour (for) almost 10 years now and we’ve had a lot of kids impacted by the show,” said Nash, noting that impact has helped young people overcome drug addictions, self-harm, bullying and suicide. “We had 874 suicide notes including six here in Red Deer this week.”
He applauded Day Chief’s efforts to bring the Robb Nash Project to Red Deer and help young people her own age.
“Alearra (said) she wanted her community to experience what she experienced, her breakthrough and how she was impacted by us,” he said, noting he wants his music to help young people realize they can overcome difficulties in life.
It’s all about making the right choice when that day comes, he said.
“(We want to) let them know, you’re all going to have a bad day at some point in your life. What are you going to do when it happens?'” said Nash.
Day Chief said she wanted students to leave the Robb Nash Project with an understanding they are important and their lives matter.
“(Nash’s message) is extremely powerful and his story is so unique,” said Day Chief. “It’s amazing how he got from one part of his life to another. I just want other people to see that and be inspired by that.”
