Winners for the 2023 SSIMAs Announced!

Triple win for Aysanabee
Blue Moon Marquee and Snotty Nose Rez Kids walk away with two
Andrea Menard takes Métis Artist/Group of the Year

The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) today announced The SSIMAs winners in 16 categories.  Nominees were feted at a special ceremony at Canada’s National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Attended by hundreds, the two-hour show was hosted by Sarain Fox and featured performances by Aysanabee, Indian City, Andrea Menard, Plex and Joel Wood.  Algonquin Elder and the University of Ottawa Chancellor Claudette Commanda opened the proceedings with an unceded Algonquin territory land acknowledgement and a prayer.

Aysanabee walked away with three SSIMAs: Watin for Pop/Alternative/Rock Album of the Year, We Were Here (Jon B. Elliot) for Artistic Video and he took home Rising Star.

Blue Moon Marquee won Roots Album and Live Musical Performance of the Year

Snotty Nose Rez Kids took home Recording Artist(s) and Rap/Hip Hop/Electronica Album of the Year

Vince Fontaine, posthumous recipient of the Legacy Award, was honoured by memorial videos, showcasing his lasting influence on the artistic and cultural heritage of the Indigenous community through his music and career contributions. Fontaine was instrumental in the 2021 creation of The SSIMAs Awards Program.

The SSIMAs Presenting Sponsor TD Bank Group alongside fellow corporate and government funders were on hand to show their ongoing commitment to stewardship of Canada’s rich cultural heritage.

“TD has a long-standing relationship with the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, and we are delighted to be part of this vital platform that supports Indigenous Peoples in the music industry. By supporting initiatives and events like this one, we contribute to creating conversations by connecting through music, art and culture. We are stronger when we work together, and TD is honoured to collaborate with the Summer Solstice Festival to help be a catalyst for dialogue to bring people, communities, and cultures together. We are truly proud to be creating opportunities for artists from the Indigenous community and connecting communities across Canada through music.” – Doris Bear, VP of Indigenous Banking.

For a full list of winners and nominees visit: https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/2023-music-awards-winners/

About The SSIMAs & The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival 
Established in 2021 and presented bi-annually by The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival,  The SSIMAs proudly celebrate the artistic excellence and accomplishments of First Nations, Inuit and Métis musicians from across Canada.  2023 nominees were selected from over 250 Canada-wide submissions by an invited panel of jurors comprising  Indigenous and music industry professionals and peers.

Established in Ottawa in 1996, the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF) is a multi-disciplinary arts festival that brings together Indigenous artists, performers, educators, students, and community members to share knowledge and celebrate Canada’s diverse Indigenous cultures.  Amidst programming reflecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures, this year’s spotlight shines brightly on Metis artists, performers and storytellers.

The SSIMAs and SSIF are produced by Indigenous Experiences on behalf of the NIPD Committee comprising Metis National Council (2023 Festival co-host) and other organizations representing Indigenous communities across Canada.

The SSIMAs supporters include:  TD Bank Group, Ottawa Tourism, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, National Arts Centre, Rogers TV, Canadian Automobile Association and Donna Cona.

SSIF supporters include:  Rio Tinto, CN Railway, BMO Financial Group, Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation, TD Bank Group, and Indigenous Tourism Ontario
Web Links

SSIMA’s Website:  https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/2023-music-awards/
Mādahòkì Farm:   https://madahoki.ca/

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