Manitoba Music
Celebrating Indigenous Music For Pride & National Indigenous History Month
The Indigenous Music Development Program Celebrates 20 Years, Highlights First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Music Makers Throughout the Month of June
The Indigenous Music Development Program (IMDP) at Manitoba Music is highlighting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis music makers in Manitoba throughout the month of June with a series of events, and celebrating two decades of programming.
On June 7, the IMDP will partner with Pride Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq for Nagamooag neezochackak, an evening to celebrate Indigiqueer and Two-Spirit musicians in honour of Pride and National Indigenous History Month. The free public event will take place at WAG-Qaumajuq’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden and feature performances by folk rocker waNda wilsoN, Anishinaabe musician/composer Melody McKiver, and indie folk/pop artist FONTINE, along with DJs The Kaptain, who has been an important contributor to the vision and planning of the event, and Corvo. The event title, Nagamooag neezochackak means “singing 2Spirits” in Anishinaabemowin, given by Elder Gayle Pruden of Little Saskatchewan, Manitoba.
The IMDP’s coordinator, Cassidy Mann, will participate in the 2024 International Indigenous Music Summit (IIMS), taking place from June 10-14 in Toronto. Four artists from Manitoba will showcase as part of IIMS’ Bawaadan, including JUNO-nominated folk duo Burnstick, mixed Anishinaabekwe folk/soul artist Ila Barker, Anishinaabe MC/singer/songwriter Leonard Sumner, and indie-rock trio Tinge. The IMDP will present a showcase at TD Music Hall on June 12 featuring Barker and Sumner along with Bria Rose N’ Thorns and Cris Derksen.
“I’m so excited to celebrate the depth of talent in Indigenous music communities and amplify so many incredible, genre-defying music makers at five different events this month,” says Mann. “I started participating in the IMDP as a young singer/songwriter over a decade ago. I’m grateful now for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned and to continue fostering the work of the trailblazers that have come before me, including Errol Ranville, Alan Greyeyes, Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais, Ila Barker, and Ashley Bieniarz.”
WAG-Qamajuq will welcome the return of Grippin’ Sage on National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21 at the Rooftop Sculpture Garden, in partnership with the IMDP. The free event will feature performances by acclaimed DJ and producer Boogey the Beat, The Kaptain, Corvo, and Zuki.
Dauphin’s Countryfest and the IMDP are shining a spotlight on featured Indigenous artists in Manitoba at the second edition of the Nipin (Summer) Showcase. Running June 28 - 30 at the country music festival, the artistic programming features hard rock band Ash and the Arsonists, the legendary C-Weed Band, JUNO nominated singer/songwriters Desiree Dorion and Renée Lamoureux, indie-folk/pop artist FONTINE, country roots/rocker Jerry Sereda, fiddle champion and recording artist Jason Lepine & The Metis Spirit Band, and singer/radio broadcaster/actor/author Kimberley Dawn. Three-time JUNO nominated singer/songwriter Don Amero will be a featured act on Main Stage on June 30. Acclaimed “hip hop jig” group the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers and dynamic square dance group United Thunder Square Dancers will also perform.
On June 30, the IMDP will be a part of this year’s sākihiwē festival, presenting a songwriter circle at the Central Park Block Party. The family-friendly, free event will include up-and-coming singer/songwriters Thompson-based country singer Rikki Linklater, 22-year-old music student in Alberta Yandira Campos, and Barrin May.
The IMDP was launched in 2004 to support First Nation, Inuit, and Métis artists and music companies develop sustainable careers in the music industry. The program delivers projects and services that respond to the needs of the industry as identified by a steering committee. The IMDP is supported by the Province of Manitoba, Manitoba Film & Music, and FACTOR and Canada’s private radio broadcasters.
“I’m so excited to celebrate the depth of talent in Indigenous music communities and amplify so many incredible, genre-defying music makers at five different events this month,” says Mann. “I started participating in the IMDP as a young singer/songwriter over a decade ago. I’m grateful now for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned and to continue fostering the work of the trailblazers that have come before me, including Errol Ranville, Alan Greyeyes, Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais, Ila Barker, and Ashley Bieniarz.”
The Kaptain is a DJ spinning and living in Treaty 1 Territory. They have been building their skill and practice as a DJ artist for 10 years. Currently, they work professionally as a DJ, crafting their unique mixes that meld culture, connection, and their eclectic musical taste. They have graced stages across Turtle Island, including festivals, conferences, weddings, Pride Festivals, and community events. They have headlined in their home community, Winnipeg, and beyond. They meld the sounds and spirit of their culture as an Inuk and Anishinaabe performer. Whether they are mixing pow-wow with EDM, or hip-hop and country, they will always bring the beats to move the crowd. Whatever the vibe at whatever the event, The Kaptain will ensure smooth sailing on the dancefloor.
With an eclectic folk-rock sound reflecting her unique stories and experiences, waNda wilsoN embodies strength, humour and hope in her own alternative way.
Originally from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, wilsoN's material has touched many. With performances as far north as Thompson, Manitoba, south to Arizona, and across Canada from Montreal to Vancouver, her sound has been described as raw and edgy with a smidgin hint of sweet.
Melody McKiver’s (they/them, do not use any other pronouns) musical work integrates electronics with Western classical music to shape a new genre of Anishinaabe compositions. A proud member of Obishikokaang Lac Seul First Nation, Melody is currently Assistant Professor of Indigenous Music (tenure-track) with the Desaultels Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba and a member of the Mizi'iwe Aana Kwat (LGBTQ2S+ Council) within the Anishinaabe Nation of Treaty #3. They are the 2020 recipient of the Canada Council's Robert Flaming Prize awarded annually to an exceptionally talented young Canadian composer, and a recurring invited participant in the Banff Centre for the Arts’ Indigenous Classical Music gatherings.
A frequent performer across Turtle Island, Melody has performed at the National Arts Centre, Luminato Festival, Vancouver’s Western Front, and the Toronto International Film Festival. They have shared stages with Polaris Prize winners Lido Pimienta, Tanya Tagaq, and Jeremy Dutcher, and performed with acclaimed filmmaker and musician Alanis Obomsawin. As a composer, Melody has a growing body of chamber and choral works. Notably, they were commissioned by Soundstreams and Jumblies Theatre to compose Odaabaanag, a string quartet responding to Steve Reich’s Different Trains, drawing on interviews conducted with Anishinaabe elders from Melody’s. Melody has scored several films and was invited to the Berlinale Talents Sound Studio as a music and composition mentor for the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival. Additional commissions have included Cluster Festival, Marina Thibeault, Duo AIRS, Brandon University, Megumi Masaki, Carnegie Mellon University, and TORQ Percussion with the Elora Singers. Upcoming projects include a setting of Métis author Katherena Vermette’s poem river woman for the Elora Singers and TORQ Percussion Quartet, and a full-length album in 2023. Melody holds an MA in Ethnomusicology from Memorial University and a BFA in Music and Indigenous Studies from York University.
Indie-folk/pop artist FONTINE from Winnipeg, MB, is making waves. A queer and Indigenous musician of Nehiyaw Iskwew heritage, her debut EP, co-produced with friends Kris Ulrich and mixed by Boy Golden, dropped in February this year. Inspired by the prairies and the Winnipeg music scene, her music is a fusion of culture and creativity. FONTINE's single "Homemaker" reached number one on the Indigenous Music Countdown, and she recently graced CBC's "The Intro" stage. With roots in her heritage and her home, FONTINE's music is a captivating journey.
DJ Corvo, progeny of Lucky Sharms and The Kaptain, Bannock Babes Resident DJ, Club Kid of 200, local drag performer under the same name, excited to be here and have the opportunity to play them tunes for ya this evening!