Manitoba Music's Alan Greyeyes Brings Home Future Leaders of Manitoba Award In Arts

Manitoba Music’s Alan Greyeyes was one of three winners at the annual Future Leaders of Manitoba Awards, which were handed out on January 24 in Winnipeg. Greyeyes received the arts award at the gala, which recognizes exceptional young Manitobans for their dedication to the social and economic growth of Manitoba.

Since 2005, Greyeyes has been the Aboriginal Music Program Coordinator at Manitoba Music. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of the ground-breaking Aboriginal Music Performers Camp, “AMP Camp”, a one-week artist residency that offers emerging Aboriginal recording artists from across Canada a chance to develop their artistic and business skills under the mentorship of top music industry professionals. A truly unique initiative, AMP Camp has offered numerous developing artists a safe space to find their creative footing, and make important personal and business connections. Past participants include Juno Award-nominee Tracy Bone; Canadian Folk Music Award-winning singer/songwriter Don Amero; multiple-Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award-winning Shy-Anne; composer/cellist Chris Derksen (CBC’s “8th Fire”); award-winning pop singer Inez; and many more.

Greyeyes also spearheads Native America North, a new initiative in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts, which connects professional Aboriginal recording artists from across Canada with market development opportunities in New York, Toronto, and beyond. Like many of the initiatives Greyeyes has helped to develop, Native America North facilitates the indelible connection between artists of many backgrounds and from many places.

Shortly after coming to Manitoba Music, Greyeyes began his involvement with the Manito Ahbee Festival and the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards as vice-chair. He began volunteering on the board of Aboriginal Music Manitoba (formerly the Manitoba Aboriginal Music Host Committee Inc.), where he founded Aboriginal Music Week in 2008. The popular multi-genre Winnipeg music festival presents Native, Métis, Inuit, and Indigenous artists from across the world. Beyond introducing Manitoba audiences to incredible new talent, AMW also facilitated important connections between the artists.

Manitoba Music is thrilled that Greyeyes’ tireless work, which has helped to create an incredible community of artists throughout the country, has been recognized with this award.

Find out more about the Aboriginal Music Program at aboriginalmusic.ca.