Tune into our Award Ceremony on December, 9. 2021, Noon EST to listen to the testimonials of our 2021 Nation Builder Award Winner – Chief Perry Bellegarde
The Empire Club of Canada
Omar Sachedina
Official Host
National Affairs Correspondent, CTV National News
Blessing delivered by
Roronhiakewen – Dr. Dan Longboat
Associate Professor, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies at Trent University
Louise Halfe – Sky Dancer
Parliamentary Poet Laureate
Message for Perry:
“It’s such a pleasure to get a glimpse of your spirit, fine achievements and this journey that has been a great discovery and source of inspiration. May Spirit always walk with you. Thank you.”
Indie rock, synth rock, and folk-pop are just a few of the ways critics have tried to label the music of Twin Flames. It isn’t an easy task and really, labels only serve the needs of those who choose to employ them.
From the beginning, husband and wife duo Chelsey June and Jaaji have chosen to let their music speak for itself. And when considered alongside the nearly 30 various music awards and nominations they have accumulated over the past six years as Twin Flames, it is obvious they have something special going on.
Chelsey June, métis (Algonquin Cree heritage) from Ottawa, and Jaaji, Inuk and Mohawk from Nunavik and Kahnawake, are part of an Indigenous renaissance. Their cultural backgrounds span Canada’s geography and their songs, delivered through a mix of English, French and Inuktitut, have helped them earn a unique place among contemporary music makers from coast to coast. Their humour on stage is often unexpected and combined with impeccable storytelling Twin Flames allows audiences to feel a truly human connection.
Red Sky Performance is a leading company of contemporary Indigenous performance in Canada and worldwide.
They drive their passion forward to elevate Indigenous arts and culture in ways that celebrate, uplift, and respect Indigenous cultures. Now in our 21st year of performance, Red Sky’s work highlights the originality and power of contemporary performance, enabling new creations to expand the breadth and scope of Indigenous-made work in Canada. The vision of Red Sky Performance derives from its creator Sandra Laronde (Misko Kizhigoo Migizii Kwe) which means “Red Sky Eagle Woman” in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway) language from the Teme-Augama Anishinaabe (People of the Deep Water). Her vision is dedicated to expanding and elevating the ecology of contemporary performance informed by Indigenous worldview and culture.
Trace is a highly kinetic contemporary dance work inspired by Indigenous (Anishinaabe) sky and star stories, offering a glimpse into our origin as well as our future evolution.
Tune into our Award Ceremony on December, 9. 2021, Noon EST to listen to the testimonials of our 2021 Nation Builder Award Winner – Chief Perry Bellegarde
Adrian Burns, Chair, National Arts Centre Board of Directors
Bruce Heyman, Former US Ambassador to Canada
Buffy Sainte-Marie, Singer-Songwriter
David Dandeneau, Board Chair, Manito Ahbee Festival
Lisa Meeches, C.M., O.M. Founding Partner, Eagle Vision
The Right Hon. Paul Martin, Former Prime Minister of Canada
The Hon. Rona Ambrose, Deputy Chairwoman, TD Securities
Natan Obed, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
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