Manitoba Music's Indigenous Music Development Program Heads Up Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention Trade Mission

Six Indigenous Artists and Entrepreneurs from Manitoba Head to Las Vegas to Share Culture and Explore Business Opportunities

Manitoba Music’s Indigenous Music Development Program is leading a trade mission to the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention, set for April 17-20 in Las Vegas. Six Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs from Manitoba will make the trip to share culture and explore business opportunities with Native American leaders, entertainment directors for Native American owned casinos, and talent buyers during the four day event.

The trade mission participants include classical vocalist Rhonda Head, country singer Jade Turner, promoter and event planner Shaneen Robinson, Indian City and Eagle & Hawk creative director Vince Fontaine, country music maven Desiree Dorion, and singer/songwriter and MC Leonard Sumner. They will participate in a full day of meetings at the Westgate Las Vegas Hotel on April 18 and connect with convention delegates at the Indigenous Music Development Program's trade show booth in the Las Vegas Convention Center on April 19 and 20.

This will be Manitoba Music's first time at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention, building on groundwork established during trade missions to the Reservation Economic Summit in past years.

The trip is part of market development initiatives through the Indigenous Music Development Program, working to promote and raise the profile of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit artists from Manitoba on a national and international stage. Through events like these, Manitoba Music is able to increase the level of awareness and connection between our province’s music industry and the broader national and international industry, which is vital to the career advancement of Manitoba's Indigenous artists and industry professionals.

Manitoba Music's Indigenous Music Development Program was launched in 2004 to help First Nation, Metis, and Inuit people in Manitoba develop sustainable careers in music by connecting them with opportunities within Manitoba Music and beyond. Manitoba Music would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Province of Manitoba, Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Film & Music, and FACTOR with support from Canada’s private radio broadcasters.