Benefit Concert for injured couple – The Unity Festival, Bronson Centre May 21, 7pm

Ottawa – Local Aboriginal health and wellness instructor Beverley Sunday, 30, and her husband Joseph Sayer, 35, were badly injured in a single-vehicle accident on February 19th.

The couple both sustained serious brain injuries and multiple broken bones. Joseph is currently recovering in the Civic Hospital, and Beverley has just been transferred to the Rehabilitative clinic at Ottawa General. Their three young children – ages five, six and 12 – are currently being cared for by extended family.
Sunday, originally from Alberta, is a prominent local Cree woman who participated as a dancer in the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Games on Feb. 12th in British Columbia. Sunday also joined Sayer as an Olympic Torchbearer in December.

Sayer worked as a house inspector, tow-truck driver and volunteer. Sunday is the Founder of Hawk Studio – an Aboriginal-infused fitness studio for people from all walks of life – which was set to open in the West end of Ottawa this past April. Bev, as Chief Empowerment Sister, was working with other Key Empowerment Sisters Dawn T Maracle and Julie-Jeanne Carriere to develop the Studio and a new fitness craze infusing Aboriginal sport movements with Pilates and yoga. This soon-to-be-certified program is planned to be delivered throughout the world.

Friends and the local Aboriginal community have rallied to support them financially by raising funds, and also set up a trust fund for the couple. A fundraising Art auction held at ClubSaw and Saw Gallery already raised $5000 towards the trust fund. Next is THE UNITY FESTIVAL, a benefit concert on may 21st at the Bronson centre, Ottawa. Artists across this great country are uniting in concert for one night in support of the Sunday-Sayer family, we have a phenomenal line up of entertainers including Lucie Idlout, Don Kelly (comedian), David Maracle, Aboriginal dancers, throat singers and many more. See website for full line-up.

“We encourage people to purchase tickets, even if they cannot attend the event, as proceeds from Ticketmaster sales go directly to the Sunday Sayer Family Trust Fund to support the family while Bev and Joe are in recovery.”

For more info, please go to the website for the concert: http://theunityfestival.com/

Download Unity poster here!

Current Information on Beverley and Joseph and the fundraisers can be found on the Sunday-Sayer Homepage on facebook.

Donations can be made to the Sunday-Sayer Family Fund, either electronically or at any TD Branch:
Transit#02496 Inst. #004 Account #78666361567
Cheques should be made in both trustees’ names : Georgette Sayer/Caroline Gomersall

Contacts for Concert:
Thomas Clair: 613 316-2286
Caroline Gomersall : carolinegomersall[at]gmail.com tel: 613 563-4110 wk or 613 894-3215 cel

Media contact: Dawn Maracle
dmaracle[at]rocketmail.com 613-371-8300