Manitoba Music
NCI Unveils Aboriginal Music Hall of Fame
Manitoba's Aboriginal music community has impressed the country with its level of talent, numerous music award wins, a strong showing at the 2005 Juno Awards, and a successful bid to host the 2006 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. It's no wonder that a Manitoba Aboriginal Hall of Fame became reality this month. Popular radio station NCI-FM unveiled the hall of fame in its Winnipeg office on April 27, honouring its first five inductees with plaques and two memorabilia-filled display cases.
The inaugural five inductees were announced at the Aboriginal Music Showcase and Honouring Ceremony as part of Juno festivities earlier in April. At a special ceremony featuring a nine-minute biographical video, music legend and industry veteran Errol Ranville (aka C-Weed), renowned singer and broadcaster Ray St. Germaine, "the Elvis of the north" Ernest Monias, the late television host Len White Buffalo Fairchuck, and honourary inductee Lucille Starr all received their plaques in front of an ecstatic crowd that included Buffy Saint-Marie, Adam Beach, and Culture Minister Eric Robinson.
Two inductees, St. Germain (who works at NCI-FM) and Ranville, were on hand for the unveiling. The hall of fame is available for all to visit online on NCI-FM's website. The virtual site includes the video from the Honouring Ceremony and a page of information about each of the inductees.
Ranville, who is MARIA's Aboriginal Music Programs Director, believes the hall of fame will inspire Aboriginal youth and aspiring musicians. The recent success of acts like Eagle & Hawk, Burnt, Clint Dutiaume, Kimberly Dawn, and Winnipeg-based Aboriginal music label Arbor Records have helped create a buzz around the local Aboriginal music industry that will carry well into November 2006, when Winnipeg plays host to the Canadian Aboriginal Awards.
At last year's CAMAs, Manitoba sent a stunning delegation of 36 artists to Toronto - which is the usual home of the awards, which happen in conjunction with the huge Canadian Aboriginal Festival at Skydome - where Manitoba artists picked up nine awards, including three special recognition awards. Ranville was given the Lifetime Contribution to Aboriginal Music award for his years of work promoting and developing the Aboriginal music industry in Canada. Sunshine Records owner Ness Michaels was given the Industry Award, while Burnt was given the Rising Stars Award as a newcomer in Aboriginal music.
Visit the Manitoba Aboriginal Music Hall of Fame at www.ncifm.com.
The inaugural five inductees were announced at the Aboriginal Music Showcase and Honouring Ceremony as part of Juno festivities earlier in April. At a special ceremony featuring a nine-minute biographical video, music legend and industry veteran Errol Ranville (aka C-Weed), renowned singer and broadcaster Ray St. Germaine, "the Elvis of the north" Ernest Monias, the late television host Len White Buffalo Fairchuck, and honourary inductee Lucille Starr all received their plaques in front of an ecstatic crowd that included Buffy Saint-Marie, Adam Beach, and Culture Minister Eric Robinson.
Two inductees, St. Germain (who works at NCI-FM) and Ranville, were on hand for the unveiling. The hall of fame is available for all to visit online on NCI-FM's website. The virtual site includes the video from the Honouring Ceremony and a page of information about each of the inductees.
Ranville, who is MARIA's Aboriginal Music Programs Director, believes the hall of fame will inspire Aboriginal youth and aspiring musicians. The recent success of acts like Eagle & Hawk, Burnt, Clint Dutiaume, Kimberly Dawn, and Winnipeg-based Aboriginal music label Arbor Records have helped create a buzz around the local Aboriginal music industry that will carry well into November 2006, when Winnipeg plays host to the Canadian Aboriginal Awards.
At last year's CAMAs, Manitoba sent a stunning delegation of 36 artists to Toronto - which is the usual home of the awards, which happen in conjunction with the huge Canadian Aboriginal Festival at Skydome - where Manitoba artists picked up nine awards, including three special recognition awards. Ranville was given the Lifetime Contribution to Aboriginal Music award for his years of work promoting and developing the Aboriginal music industry in Canada. Sunshine Records owner Ness Michaels was given the Industry Award, while Burnt was given the Rising Stars Award as a newcomer in Aboriginal music.
Visit the Manitoba Aboriginal Music Hall of Fame at www.ncifm.com.