Manitoba Music
Nagamooag neezochackak: Celebrating Indigiqueer and Two Spirit Music Makers
Indigiqueer and Two-Spirit Artists from Manitoba to Share Songs and Stories at Frenchie’s Records & Coffee on November 28
Three Indigenous singer/songwriters will gather to share songs and stories at the second edition of Nagamooag neezochackak on November 28 at Frenchie’s Records & Coffee. Celebrating Indigiqueer and Two-Spirit musicians in Manitoba, the free public event is presented through the Indigenous Music Development Program (IMDP) at Manitoba Music and co-curated with DJ and promoter The Kaptain.
The lineup of performers features Two-Spirit Métis vocalist, songwriter, and storyteller Jeff St.Germain of the The Muddy River Band; 2 Spirit Anishinaabe country folk/rocker Kristen McKay; and Métis Polish avant-pop artist KWIAT. The artists will share their music in an intimate songwriter-in-the-round with host Gena Boubard, Miss Indigenous Canada 2025.
“There are so many incredible Indigiqueer and Two-Spirit artists in Manitoba sharing important stories through their music. I’m excited for the opportunity to shine a spotlight on this group of songwriters and grateful to work with The Kaptain once again on the vision for this event,” says Cassidy Mann, Indigenous Music Development Coordinator.
Nagamooag neezochackak means “singing 2Spirits” in Anishinaabemowin, given by Elder Gayle Pruden of Little Saskatchewan, Manitoba.
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 Manitoba Government, Manitoba Film & Music, and FACTOR and Canada’s private radio broadcasters.
Gena Boubard
Miss Indigenous Canada 2025
Host
Gena Boubard (they/them) is a proud Two-Spirit and non-binary Anishinaabe from Sagkeeng First Nation in Treaty 1 Territory.
A former Miss Southern Manitoba World 2018 titleholder and Miss World Canada 2018 competitor, Gena has since built a multifaceted career as a keynote speaker, model, and strong advocate for Two-Spirit youth across Turtle Island.
In 2025, Gena established the first Pride Committee in their home community and facilitated Sagkeeng’s first-ever Pride celebration this past June. As the first openly Two-Spirit Miss Indigenous Canada 2025, Gena plans to travel to Indigenous communities across Turtle Island to honour the diversity of Indigenous identities and celebrate the beauty of our cultures, values, and traditions.
Jeff St.Germain
The Muddy River Band
Performer
Jeff St.Germain is a Two-Spirit Métis vocalist and songwriter dedicated to carrying forward the music and sound he grew up with. After the passing of his grandfather, Jeff created The Muddy River Band as a way to continue his family’s musical legacy while shaping it through his own voice. Blending country roots and southern rock, Jeff’s work reflects the stories, strength, and spirit of the Métis people, offering a modern take on the traditions that shaped him.
Kristen McKay
Performer
Born in central Manitoba, Kristen McKay, spirit names Golden Eagle Woman & Sacred Turtle Woman, and from the Bear Clan is a 2 Spirit Anishinaabe Woman from Pine Creek First Nation. Kristen is the Owner/Operator of Kristen McKay Inspirations as well as the lead singer to her band Kristen McKay Music. Kristen is also a Ceremonial Traditional and Contemporary Hand Drum Singer and Hand Drum Maker. Kristen is also an original canvas artist, Jingle Dress Dancer and is also a Sundancer & Ceremonial Buffalo Dancer. Kristen is deeply connected to her spirituality and culture and has adapted a spiritual support analogy of being protected and supported by her 10,000 Grandmothers. This was inspired by Kristen when 215 was announced from the ground search in Kamloops, BC. Kristen is a Grandchild and a daughter of Residential School Survivors, her parents before her attended IRS and her Grandparents before them had also attended IRS. Kristen is also a third-generation day school survivor and intergenerational survivor. In 2023 Kristen followed her long-time dream of becoming a Flourishing Life Coach in Calgary, Ab. This was also followed by her completing Train the Trainer training in Winnipeg, Mb. Currently Kristen is facilitating wellness, healing, education and awareness workshops in First Nation Communities across Turtle Island. Kristen has begun to take a core understanding of the IRS traumas and began a healing journey with these traumas. The understanding and knowledge of IRS has helped Kristen move forward from the pain and grief that once filled her world. Kristen has been able to help others have a more understanding of the IRS traumas and MMIWG2S+ and has been fully willing to sit in with various IRS workshops and conferences held across Turtle Island. Through her original canvas art, she has brought her Anishinaabemowin and Cree languages of her ancestors into the inspirational messaging that is brought to the surfaces of the art Kristen shares with her Relatives. Kristen utilizes her gift to put good things and kind reminders of love, light and wellness into her art. Kristen shares that with all Survivors and their families. The newest endeavour for Kristen is her recent work and time learning how to tan Deer Elk & Buffalo Hides from the fall 2024 hunting harvest. This new reconnection for Kristen McKay Inspirations is to complete the hides for drum making and rattle making workshops. The sound of Mother Earths Heartbeat will echo for the next 7 generations as Kristen as already taken a course of action and launched a new hand drum line called Chitto Biishika Fire Bull Drums by Kristen McKay Inspirations. Kristen is planning on releasing Original Music in 2025 in English & Anishinaabemowin Languages. Kristen’s first complete acoustic music video will also be released in early 2025 supported by Manitoba Music and Kejic Productions. CREDITS Artist: Kristen McKay Executive Producer: Manitoba Music Producer: Cassidy Mann Director/Producer: Erica Daniels, Kejic Productions Director of Photography/Editor: Addison Sandy Engineer: Terence Ruiz, CTRL Space Records Mixing & Mastering: Derek Benjamin, CTRL Space Records Photo by Tara Carpenter, Kejic Productions Graphics: Tetro Design Location: The Forks, Winnipeg
KWIAT
Performer
KWIAT (pronounced kwai·uht) is a Winnipeg-based Métis Polish avant-pop artist whose music blooms at the intersection of fiery piano anthems and poetic mystique. Drawing from the raw intensity of Fiona Apple, the theatricality of Tori Amos, and the hook-driven punch of modern indie pop. The Polish word for "flower," her name reflects the duality of her music, both delicate and bold.Her debut single, Follow The Call (co-produced with Hawksley Workman), cracked the Top 10 on SiriusXM’s The Indigiverse and surpassed 40K cumulative streams, heralding a self-titled EP due in 2025. A classically trained pianist with a voice that swings from delicate to defiant, KWIAT has enraptured stages at TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival, Festival du Voyageur, Pride Winnipeg, and alongside artists like Jim Cuddy & Sam Polley. Her rising acclaim has earned spots on Billboard Canada’s Women in Music Spotlight in 2024 and the 2023 Women in Music Canada Honour Roll, proof of an artist rooted in craft, culture, and unapologetic vision.
The Kaptain
DJ & Co-Curator
The Kaptain, a two-spirit DJ from Treaty 1 Territory, is a master of blending Inuk and Anishinaabe culture with raw, electrifying beats—EDM, hip-hop, and powwow. The multi-disciplinary artist intentionally creates sets to tell stories of their journey and ancestors. With elements of harm reduction, empowerment, and culture, The Kaptain will ensure a smooth sailing journey on the dancefloor.