Aysanabee leads with six nominations, Snotty Nose Rez Kids follow with five
The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival today announced nominees for The SSIMAs, (Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards) presented by TD Bank Group. Winners will be celebrated and honoured in Ottawa during the awards ceremony at the National Arts Centre on Tuesday, June 6th, 2023.
The SSIMAs span 16 categories, celebrating solo artists, duos, and groups from across Canada and showcasing the diverse and growing music and culture of artistic expression and accomplishment within the Indigenous community. Nominees were selected from 250 Canada-wide submissions by an invited panel of jurors comprising Indigenous and music industry professionals. No public voting was involved in the selection process.
“Presenting and promoting Indigenous music is a cornerstone of our Festival,” says Trina Mather Simard, CEO and Producer of Ottawa’s Summer Solstice Festival which runs June 21 – 25. “We’re celebrating Indigenous voices” adds Advisory Committee Chair Elaine Bomberry. “These Awards, in Canada’s capital city, provide an excellent platform for artists to be recognized for their hard work”. She adds.
Hosted by Anishinaabe activist, broadcaster, and content creator Sarain Fox, The SSIMAs presentation ceremony will feature six live performances.
Tickets will be on sale THIS Friday, May 19th at 10 AM, with a limited number of VIP tickets including a reception attended by artists, presenters, and sponsors with an Indigenous-inspired menu by NAC Chef Chris Commandant.
Tickets for The SSIMAs start at $20.00 (including tax plus fees) and will be available at https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/2023-music-awards/, by phone and in-person at the NAC box office, starting Friday at 10 am.
This SSIMAs presentation kicks off Indigenous History Month and is a prelude to the Annual Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF), June 21st-25th at Madahoki Farm in Ottawa. The free festival coincides with National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) on June 21. Authentic, interactive programming showcases the culture, history, food, music, art, fashion, dance, and entrepreneurship of Canada’s diverse Indigenous community fostering cultural understanding and creating opportunities for connection.
Full list of nominees can be seen here.
For more information please visit here.