The Indigenous Music Series is a set of events designed to aid Indigenous artists, musicians, songwriters and other industry members in navigating and accelerating their careers in the music industry. It is set to take place in a hybrid format with both online and in-person sessions. Participants of the series will meet weekly for 1-2 hours and discuss, learn, and practice new skills. It is meant to be taught by influential Indigenous artists, musicians, and industry members that continue to pave a way for Indigenous artists to practice and express their arts.
Below is the series schedule that will be expanded on as sessions are announced. It highlights the topics we will be discussing throughout. (Please note that session scheduling is subject to change.)
If you feel that you or someone you know would benefit from the program, please register for this FREE series through: https://saskmusic.wufoo.com/forms/q1hxiaie1ra3t32/
Signing up will provide you with updates, resources and information as program events are announced. New participants will be accepted throughout the course of the program.
For more information on IMP, reach out to IMP Development Coordinator, Denny Blackstar at denny@saskmusic.org.
All times noted are Sask time.
Session 7 - Making Money from Your Music
with Amanda Rheaume, Artist, co-founder Ishkode Records
Tuesday, April 29, 630-830pm (Doors open at 6pm)
Saskatoon Inn & Conference Centre, Brass Lantern room, 2002 Airport Drive
and via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89895294897?pwd=GbZRGfjokcXNlZyaRf2ZbTaO0Zac2a.1
Join us for an informative session led by Amanda Rheaume. Amanda brings a wealth of experience as an acclaimed artist and songwriter, co-founder of Ishkode Records and the International Indigenous Music Summit, and founding board member of the Indigenous Music Office. A commitment to raising Indigenous sovereignty through the medicine of music motivates all of Rheaume's work.
In this session we will learn about ways to monetize musical careers - different revenue streams that are available to Indigenous musicians/artists. This session will be of interest to all artists whether you are just starting out, or have been pursuing your path in music for some time and want to be sure you are not missing out on opportunities.
ABOUT AMANDA RHEAUME: At the start of every show, whether on stage in Chile, Nashville or Brisbane, Australia, Rheaume introduces herself as a Citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario whose Red River roots run deep, interwoven with Anishinaabe relatives from Lac Seul and mixed settler relations. Unfamiliar as some of these places may be to her audience, her introduction is both a greeting and a foundation, situating Rheaume and her songs in multifold lineages of family and community.
In Rheaume's music, songs of resistance and resilience travel centuries. With a gentle yet unflinching touch, Rheaume has grown to be a chronicler of stories and people whose acts - out of necessity and opportunity alike - cascade through time and space, from the 18th century Red River Settlement to her own doorstep. With curiosity and empathy, Rheaume has become a bearer of history, unearthing and preserving Métis stories in song. In her gutsy guitar-driven style, punctuated with lively Métis fiddle, Rheaume's heartland rock is built to last, resolute in rhythm and unswerving in purpose.
For her newest album, The Truth We Hold, Rheaume traveled across the homelands, visiting communities and individuals whose collective experiences make up a living history of Métis joy, strength and struggle. From Northwest Ontario to rural Saskatchewan, Rheaume's new collection explores moments that have shaped Métis history, from landmark court battles to silenced injustices, transmitting a message of interconnectedness that dissolves geographical and historical distances.
A recent recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal as nominated by the Métis Nation of Ontario and the recipient of the 2024 Spirit of Folk Award, 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year and the 2023 Capital Music Awards' Album of the Year, Rheaume has released six full-length albums to date. Beyond recording and touring, Rheaume continues her ever-expanding role as an essential advocate of Indigenous music infrastructure and community. As a co-founder of Ishkode Records and International Indigenous Music Summit and founding board member of the Indigenous Music Office, a commitment to raising Indigenous sovereignty through the medicine of music motivates all of Rheaume's work.
Upcoming sessions:
| Website and Social Media Presence |
| Mid-Program Meet Up and Jam Session |
| Festivals and Showcasing |
| Managing Merchandise |
| Appreciation for Cultural Differences |
| Reflection and Feedback |
PAST SESSIONS
Recordings for many of these sessions will be made available to those who could not attend.
Session 1 – Introduction to the Program
Thursday, February 6, 7pm (1 hour)
via Zoom
With: Dale McArthur, Joseph Naytowhow, Cheryl L’Hirondelle, Lorena Kelly
In this session, we will introduce the Indigenous Music Series. Meet some of the people involved with SaskMusic and the Indigenous Music Series. Attendees will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and share their musical journey with others.
We will look at how SaskMusic can provide assistance to those in the music community. As well, we will talk about expectations and what to expect from this series.
Session 2: Finding Mentors, Grants, Opportunities, and More
Thursday, February 13, 7pm
via Zoom
With: Rhonda Head, Lorena Kelly, Ben Valiaho
In this session, the artist will have the opportunity to see how the SaskMusic website can be utilized as a valuable resource for musicians and explore resources available to musicians/industry in Saskatchewan.
We will explore the possibilities for recording, funding, showcasing, and mentorship opportunities found within the SaskMusic Website. Finally, one of mentors, Rhonda Head will share her story and speak about how they would aid an artist through Mentorship.
By the end of this session, the artist will see the resources on the SaskMusic website and gain a better understanding of how to find mentors that are suitable for their variety of questions.
Forty-eight-time international award-winning Mezzo-Soprano vocalist, Rhonda Head is from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba. Rhonda released her fifth album on August 2024, Aski. Rhonda’s album is about nature, choosing what is right and admiring beautiful people.
Session 3 – How to Get The Most Out of Your Music Releases
Saturday, March 22, 5:45pm
With Matt Maw, President & Lead Artist Manager at Red Music Rising
In person at the Alt Hotel in Saskatoon (480 2 Ave S, Saskatoon) in The Indigo Room
and will be available via Zoom
Please register that you will attend by clicking here
Red Music Rising is based out of Toronto ON. Matt oversees artists such as Sebastian Gaskin, Boogey the Beat, Nimkish, and so many other amazing Indigenous talents. Matt will be presenting on music promotion and "How to Get The Most Out of Your Music Releases."
Matt Maw (Chippewas of the Thames First Nation) is the President & Lead Artist Manager at Red Music Rising. Matt brings well over a decade of multi-faceted music industry experience to RMR, along with a passion for artist development and a mission to amplify Canada's Indigenous artists on the global stage. Throughout his career, Matt has worked with some of Canada's most celebrated artists, Indigenous and otherwise, and now oversees a label and management roster including Sebastian Gaskin, Boogey The Beat, Nimkish, Wolf Saga, Reuben & The Bullhorn Singers, Drives The Common Man and LOR. A graduate of the Harris Institute for the Arts, Matt currently sits on the board of Music Managers Forum Canada and the BreakOut West Indigenous Advisory Committee. Matt has worked alongside organizations including Warner Music Group Canada, Universal Music Canada, Arts & Crafts Productions, Six Shooter Records, Collective Concerts, Field Trip, and Minoshkite.
Session 4 - Grants
Saturday, March 29, 2PM (CST)
With Creative Saskatchewan, Canada Council for the Arts and SK Arts
Via Zoom: Link will be sent to those signed up for the series https://saskmusic.wufoo.com/forms/q1hxiaie1ra3t32/
In this session, we've asked representatives from three major arts funding organizations to come and speak about different grants available to Indigenous musicians and industry. These being Creative Saskatchewan (represented by Program Advisor, Charles Umeh), SK Arts (represented by Program Consultant, Geoff Smith), and Canada Council for the Arts (represented by Program Officer, Marty Ballentyne). Each organization will present/speak about their organization and the grants that they offer. Once their presentations are complete, attendees can ask questions they may have regarding grants.
Session 5 - Booking Shows, Tours, and More
Tuesday, April 8, 6:30PM (CST)
With The North Sound and Niki Rochefort, AIM Booking Agency
Via Zoom: Link will be sent to those signed up for the series https://saskmusic.wufoo.com/forms/q1hxiaie1ra3t32/
In this session, The North Sound will be sharing insight into what goes on behind-the-scenes in terms of booking shows, tours, and more. They will be joined by their booking agent, Nicole (Niki) Rochefort from AIM Booking Agency, and together, they will share insight into their booking process. The idea behind this session is to hear more about the booking process and think about ways we can incorporate good methods into our own practices.
The North Sound: At the heart of great songwriting is great storytelling. For The North Sound, songs are a declaration of joy, a hallmark of yearning, and a tender tale of honesty. Yet amidst the rawness, trials and tribulations, there are notes of hope and happiness. This is the duo at their best: Sharing stories in the way they know how.
Forged deep in Treaty 7 Territory, where the prairies rush towards the foothills, The North Sound is a partnership between lead singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Forrest Eaglespeaker and vocalist and composer Nevada Eaglespeaker. A fusion of authentic voices, crisp harmonies and rollicking/burgeoning indie folk-roots rock, the duo, a married couple, weave and wend through themes of family and connection, recovery and addiction. As partners who play and write together, the themes of family, love and sacrifice are inescapable in their shared sojourn, Forrest and Nevada have forged the core of a rock solid collaboration. And at the heart and soul of the group is an incredible story of two people who stuck it out and found a collective voice to breathe life into tribulations and traditions
Nicole (Niki) Rochefort of AIM Booking Agency: Nicole (Niki) Rochefort is a leader in Canada's performing arts industry and the founder of AIM Booking Agency, a company that has been shaping the national touring landscape for 15 years. Since 2002, she has built a career spanning production assistance, stage management, artist development, and booking, with a deep commitment to supporting artists in Canada. With nearly two decades of experience in the industry, Nicole has played a key role in strengthening the Canadian touring circuit. She is a regular presence at showcase and exhibit conferences nationwide, advocating for artists and fostering connections between presenters and performers. In 2016, she was honoured as Agent of the Year by Ontario Presents, recognizing her impact on Ontario's live music scene.
Session 6 - Navigating Struggles for Indigenous Artists
Sunday, April 13, 2pm (CST)
Guest speaker: Drezus
In person at The Exchange, 2431 8th Avenue, Regina
Minors welcome, accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Free admission.
To attend online please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MiXbAuFPT5-hMdYTH102RQ
Drezus (Jeremiah Manitopyes) is an Anishinaabe/Nehiyaw hip-hop artist, songwriter, and actor who has become a powerful voice for Indigenous people. Based in Calgary Alberta, his music blends raw storytelling with cultural pride, inspiring the next generation to embrace their identity and find strength in their roots.
Drezus first gained recognition with Team Rezofficial, earning a JUNO nomination and multiple Indigenous music awards. As a solo artist, his 2013 album Redwinter and its title track became an anthem for the Idle No More movement, calling for Indigenous unity and empowerment. His follow-up, Indian Summer, further solidified his influence in the hip-hop world.
With a career filled with achievements - including the 2022 SOCAN Vince Fontaine Indigenous Song Award, a 2017 MTV VMA with Taboo (Black Eyed Peas), and four Indigenous Music Awards - Drezus has shared the stage with global icons like Drake, 50 Cent, and Mobb Deep, proving that Indigenous artists belong in every space. His latest release, Ballad of Bobby Jones featuring Sebastian Gaskin, continues his legacy of thought-provoking, powerful music.
Beyond music, Drezus has acted in Yellowstone and contributed to film and TV soundtracks, using storytelling as a tool for change. Through his art and activism, he encourages Indigenous youth to embrace their culture, express themselves with confidence, and chase their dreams—whether in music, business, or any other path they choose.
Drezus shows young people that their voices matter and their stories deserve to be heard.
This program is made possible through the support of FACTOR (The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings), the Government of Canada, and Canada's private radio broadcasters, and Creative Saskatchewan.
We thank the Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Association (SIMA) and members of SaskMusic's Indigenous Advisory for their guidance towards this program.
