Wake the Giant Music Festival apologizes after rapper Flo Rida uses alcohol props at Thunder Bay sober event
The Wake the Giant Music Festival has apologized after rapper Flo Rida used alcohol-related props during a performance at a sober event intended for Indigenous youth. Organizers stated the props were unauthorized and violated the festival's core values.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the challenges of maintaining cultural and safety standards at events designed to support vulnerable communities.
The annual festival, which was launched in 2019, raises awareness to create a safe, inclusive environment for hundreds of Indigenous youth from remote northern communities who attend school in the city.
CBC Thunder Bay reached out to the Wake the Giant Musical Festival for comment, and was referred to a statement it released on social media on Sunday .
The statement said the festival's team apologizes and acknowledges the harm done by the American rapper's performance.
“The props used were not approved by organizers and we clearly communicated to the artist’s team that this was a sober event and that alcohol is not permitted on our stage,” the statement said.
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