Indigenous North Connects Artists from Canada to International Music Markets

Manitoba Music to Present Industry Showcases and Export Activities in Australia and Germany
 

Indigenous artists from Canada will take centre stage at Indigenous North events in international markets next month. Supported through the Indigenous Music Export Program at Manitoba Music, export-ready music entrepreneurs will head to Australia, and Germany to perform for and connect with key industry players to build their music businesses beyond borders.

The Indigenous North initiative is part of a new emphasis on Indigenous music export at Manitoba Music, building on an existing slate of Indigenous music development programs. The goal is to deliver compelling and relevant programs to music entrepreneurs who identify as Indigenous and to strengthen business capacity and generate opportunities for export. The program is made possible through the support of Western Economic Diversification Canada, FACTOR through the financial support of the Government of Canada and Canada's private radio broadcasters, and Manitoba Film & Music.

First, three artists will head across oceans to the BIGSOUND Festival & Conference in Brisbane, which is home to the Yuggerra, Turrbal, and Jagera Peoples, who are the Traditional Owners of territories including the city of Brisbane. Manitoba Music will host an afternoon showcase on September 6 at X-Cargo featuring bilingual Métis artist Renée Lamoureux, award-winning hip hop outfit Snotty Nose Rez Kids, and contemporary folk duo Twin Flames. Program coordinator Jade Harper will participate in BIGSOUND’s Sovereign Sounds forum featuring the voices of Indigenous women as they unpack the cultural resurgence of Indigenous peoples throughout the music industry.

Manitoba Music will head to Germany for a series of export events, including Indigenous North Showcases and business development events in Berlin on September 17 and a reception and showcase at Canada House at the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg on September 21. The genre-spanning lineup will feature soul/folk songstress Celeigh Cardinal, rapper Joey Stylez, roots-rockers Midnight Shine, and Innu reggae singer Shauit, with JUNO Award-winning singer/songwriter Leela Gilday joining for Reeperbahn. This event is a kick off to the year of Canadian initiatives in Germany leading up to the 2020 Frankfurt Book Fair where Canada will be the Guest of Honour.

Harper will travel to New Zealand to present and participate in the Waiata Māori Music Awards & Conference in Hastings on September 13. The annual event aims to develop and promote the diversity of all Māori music to showcase and celebrate its excellence, and is part of a growing network of Indigenous music celebrations worldwide.

NCI FM general manager and radio personality David McLeod will emcee the Indigenous North events.

“We’re excited to make new industry and community connections through Indigenous North and support these inspiring and innovative artists as they build their businesses and share their music in international markets,” says Harper.

Find out more about these and other initiatives at indigenousmusic.ca.