(Regina) For Immediate Release March 3, 2025
The seventh edition of the Saskatchewan Music Awards took place last night before a packed house, celebrating the Saskatchewan music industry at the Regina Performing Arts Centre. Awards in twenty-one categories were handed out, accompanied by performances from current and former SMA nominees Beau Nectar, Big Tones, The Radiant, Rooky Kamiz, Teagan Littlechief, Indigenous Music Achievement Award recipient Erroll Kinistino, and our Youth Performer, Ashlyn Wilder. Ashlyn was chosen after a call was put out for the youth performance spot, with the intention of giving a spotlight to an amazing upcoming talent in our province.
Award recipients were chosen by music industry jurors and peers from across Canada, with public voting also contributing to the selections in the categories of Album of the Year, Industry Achievement, Music Company or Organization of the Year, and Venue or Festival of the Year.
The show was opened with a special performance of the Treaty 4 Flag Song by Aaron Tootoosis. A key event of the show was the tribute to the Indigenous Music Achievement Award honouree, Erroll Kinistino presented by Dale McArthur.
A double winner of the evening was Jess Moskaluke, taking home Country Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for the second SMAs in a row.
Album of the Year was selected through a combination of public voting and an industry jury, and went to Ella Forrest for her release, “Butterflies.” This category is based on an album, as a whole, released during the period of September 15, 2023-November 30, 2024, in any genre.
The awards program was recorded for later broadcast on AccessNow TV, and will air for the first time on March 12.
Erroll Kinistino is Saulteaux with membership on the Ochapowace First Nation near Broadview, bordering the historic Qu'Appelle Valley in South East Saskatchewan. He was born in Whitewood, and graduated from Grenfell Consolidated High School. Erroll is both an actor and musician with credits including numerous theatrical productions, and known for film and TV roles as Leon Deela on North of 60 (1992-2002), Phil the bartender on Corner Gas (2006-2008), Cold As Ice in Out In the Cold (2005), Kenny Bearclaw in Moccasin Flats (2003) and Sol in This Time Last Winter (2009). He has been active in Saskatchewan’s theatre and music scenes for many years as an actor, director, singer and acoustic guitarist. As a musician, Kinistino plays a variety of instruments: acoustic and electric guitar, drums, and harmonica, to name a few, and he also sings traditional songs with a hand drum. He sings and plays his own songs, such as Kokum’s Kaddilac, Shuk Sha Ki-Nuk, and 24 Hours. He recently recorded Kokum's Kaddilac with the Billy Joe Green band, which went to Number One on NCI FM. As Dale McArthur noted, “Many of us starting out were comforted, supported, and inspired (by Erroll). He continues to inspire the next generation with his music, theatre, radio plays, and kindness that he known for by Indigenous communities.” Erroll Kinistino MC’s many events on the prairies and across Canada, and acts as an elder at various ceremonies. He can always be found performing in and supporting others in the music scenes in Regina and Saskatoon. A constant humanitarian, he speaks and represents his people with pride everywhere he goes.
SaskMusic expresses our heartfelt congratulations to all the nominees and winners, and encourages music fans to dive into the list of nominees to find new Saskatchewan music and artists to love. We thanks everyone who attended the event or who participated in the public voting polls. Sampler playlists related to the Saskatchewan Music Awards can be found on our Spotify and YouTube channels.
SaskMusic thanks Creative Saskatchewan and AccessNow TV for their support of the SMAs and of SaskMusic.
The 2025 Saskatchewan Music Award Winners
Winner graphics downloadable here
Afrobeats Artist of the Year (Tie): Melodna and Rooky Kamiz
Album of the Year: Ella Forrest, “Butterflies”
Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year: Teagan Littlechief
Country Artist of the Year: Jess Moskaluke
Electronic Artist of the Year: Tim Damage
Hip Hop Artist of the Year: HarveyDent
Indigenous Music Achievement Award: Erroll Kinistino
Industry Achievement Award: Community Arts Mentorship Program
Inspirational or Spiritual Artist of the Year: Elenee
Instrumental or Ambient Artist of the Year (Tie): West Of Mabou And Sean Bougie
Metal or Hard Rock Artist of the Year (Tie): Grimelda And Kelevra
Music Company or Organization of the Year: Organization Of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC)
Music Professional of the Year: Marvin Chan
Music Video of the Year: Joshua Stade For “Gimme One More,” The Gladstone
Pop Artist of the Year: Beau Nectar
Producer of the Year (Tie): Bart McKay And Chris Dimas
R&B Artist of the Year: Katie Tupper
Rock Artist of the Year: Dump Babes
Roots or Folk Artist of the Year: Jake Vaadeland
Single of the Year: “Go Get Er,” Jess Moskaluke
Venue or Festival of the Year: SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
The Saskatchewan Music Awards are proudly presented by SaskMusic. For more information, email info@saskmusic.org, or call 1-800-347-0676.
Professional photographs from the show will be posted shortly at www.saskatchewanmusicawards.com.
