The Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards (SSIMA) at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa this Tuesday put the long overdue spotlight on the Indigenous artists that have always graced the stages of Turtle Island.
Honouring artists through 16 categories that span communities and disciplines, the SSIMA were founded in 2021 to coincide with the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival and are celebrated bi-annually. Hosted by Anishinaabe broadcaster Sarain Fox, the 2023 celebration was the first to be held in-person following the end of COVID-19 restrictions.
Taking home three awards, Oji-Cree singer/songwriter, Aysanabee, was the most honoured artist of the night. In addition to being named Rising Star, his incredibly powerful album, Waitin, was named Pop/Alternative/Rock Album of the Year, while single, “We Were Here”, was honoured with Artistic Video. Also winning multiple awards was Haisla hip-hop sensations, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, who won Rap/Hip-Hop/Electronica Album of the Year and Recording Artist of the Year.
The nights’ performances were as diverse as the nominees and represented all aspects of both contemporary and traditional music; and included Aysanabee, Ojibway-Cree rapper, Plex, Plains Cree singer, and Pow Wow/Hand Drum/Fiddle/Instrumental Album of the Year winner, Joel Wood, Metis Artist of the Year, Andrea Menard and Inuit pop artist and nominee, Angela Amarualik. A special performance by the Juno-nominated, Indian City, paid tribute to late founding member, Vince Fontaine, and introduced the first Legacy Award, which was awarded to Fontaine to honour his support of his fellow artists.
The winners of the 2023 Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards are:
Recording Artist of the Year Snotty Nose Rez Kids
Inuit Artist/Group of the Year Beatrice Deer
Pop/Alternative/Rock Album of the Year Watin – Aysanabee
Metis Artist/Group of the Year Andrea Menard
Rap/Hip-Hop/Electronica Album of the Year I’M GOOD, HBU? – Snotty Nose Rez Kids
Country Album of the Year That’s the Way It Goes – Jim Jacobs
Roots Album of the Year Scream, Holler & Howl – Blue Moon Marquee
Radio Song/Single of the Year “Deadman” – Logan Staats
Live Musical Performance of the Year “Long Black Grain” – Blue Moon Marquee
Music in the Arts “A Broken Heart (Remembers the Breaking)” – Kaeley Jade
Artistic Video “We Were Here” – Aysanabee
Rising Star Aysanabee
Pow Wow/Hand Drum/Fiddle/Instrumental Album of the Year Mikwanak Kamôsakinat – Joel Wood
International Indigenous Artist/Group of the Year Solju
Social Voice Digging Roots
Legacy Award: Vince Fontaine