Manitoba Music Welcomes New Indigenous Music Development Coordinator, Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais

Manitoba Music is pleased to welcome its newest staff member, Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais, in the role of Indigenous Music Development Coordinator.

"Shaneen brings great experience to this position. She's deeply dedicated to helping the artists and the music community grow, connect, and succeed. Her knowledge and skills, connection to Indigenous music communities, and relationships in the world of media will be a great value to Manitoba Music, our industry, and the community. We're excited to welcome her to the team," says Sean McManus, executive director of Manitoba Music.

Robinson-Desjarlais is a multi-award-winning journalist who’s been on Canada’s media scene for more than 15 years. She’s also a proud wife, mother, and foster mother. She worked at CTV News Winnipeg and her stories have aired on CTV Newsnet/News Channel, CTV National News, and CNN. She also worked many years as a correspondent at APTN National News and garnered attention for her award-winning series about The Sacred Sundance. She is very proud of her latest work, Breaching the Sacred—a 22-minute piece showcasing the tragic reality of Indigenous women living with addictions and using while pregnant. Robinson-Desjarlais is well known across the country and abroad and is dedicated to promoting up and coming Indigenous talent. She was honoured to win first place for the Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge in 2008 for her play, Notay Kiskintamowin “Wanting to Know”, the same year she was named a National Aboriginal Role Model by the Governor General of Canada and graduated from the University of Winnipeg. A highly sought-after master of ceremonies, event planner, promoter and speaker, Robinson-Desjarlais aspires to continue working with Indigenous Elders, youth, women, and artists and continue to share information that should be of importance to all Canadians.

“I am so excited and honoured to join the team at Manitoba Music,” says Robinson-Desjarlais. “Our province is home to some amazing musicians, industry leaders, and festivals, and I’m thrilled to be a part of all the work that puts us on the map in the world of music. Indigenous music plays a significant and unique role in this industry and I’m proud that I will be able to provide some advocacy, advice, and direction in this position. I’m eager to learn more while I continue to promote Indigenous music and artists of all levels. Ekosani Manitoba Music for this great opportunity!”

Manitoba Music’s Indigenous Music Development Program (IMDP) was launched in 2004 to help First Nation, Metis, and Inuit people develop sustainable careers in Manitoba’s music industry. The program delivers projects and services that respond to the needs of the industry as identified by a steering committee.

Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais can be contacted at shaneen@manitobamusic.com, 204.975.0284.