Native North America @2RiversRemix Virtual Feast 2021 - Day 3

Indigenous Artists for this Event!

• Ansley Simpson

  Ansley Simpson

  [Anishinabe]

  Ansley Simpson is a Toronto-based Anishinaabe singer-songwriter known for her poetic lyrics, deeply moving vocal-only performances, and dream-like arrangements. Nominated for two 2018 Indigenous Music Awards and winner of “Best New Artist”, her debut album “Breakwall” is a gentle, powerful collection of songs that showcase her lilting vocals, clear melodic sensibility, and intricate guitar playing to moving effect. She is a natural performer, holding audiences spellbound with story-telling embedded both in and out of her songs. Ansley’s lyrical hymns to love, perseverance, and possibility entwine you in an unfolding, sonic world of her own making. This is music to guide you back to the shore, when you’ve been lost too long in the waves. Ansley’s sophomore album, “She Fell from the Sky” an 11 track journey to Indigenous reclamation is coming out 2021 on her new label Gizhiiwe (GIH jzee way).

  URL https://www.ansleysimpson.com/

  [Anishinabe]

• Bob Robb

  Bob Robb

  Bob Robb is a boat man, a family man, but also an NFB filmmaker (The Fiddlers of James Bay), guitar picker, and a mighty fine folk-blues singer. In the late 1960s, Robb connected with poet and singer-songwriter Willie Dunn. Together, the two travelled the land, learning and sharing their gifts as well and their passion for community. The harmonica on Willie Dunn’s landmark “I Pity the Country”? That’s Bob Robb. The ghost notes and extra feeling on Willie’s self-titled albums, that’s Bob Robb too. He was there, an active participant, and still cares. He also contributes. Today, Bob lives in small town Ontario near the Saugeen Shores and can be heard playing everywhere from front porches to festivals.

• Dr. Duke Redbird

  Dr. Duke Redbird

  [Anishinaabe]

  Duke Redbird is a game changing poet, activist, teacher, artist, filmmaker, actor, broadcaster, intellectual, knowledge keeper, and true force of nature. In the 1960s, Duke was featured at the Mariposa Folk Festival for the first time alongside the likes of Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, and Bob Dylan. In the 1970s, he served as vice-president for the Native Council of Canada. 1981 saw the release of his critically acclaimed poetry book, Loveshine and Red Wine. He has recited his trademark poetry and given insightful lectures around the world. Never one to slow down, Duke continues to be a key contributor to OCAD and the Toronto District School Board. In 2021, he is busier than ever, sharing his knowledge and gifts to receptive eyes, ears, and hearts.

  [Anishinaabe]

• Kevin Howes

  Kevin Howes

  Kevin Howes is a GRAMMY®-nominated producer of settler/immigrant heritage, humbly and respectfully working out of Toronto, Ontario (Tkaronto). His most recent project is Creation Never Sleeps, Creation Never Dies: The Willie Dunn Anthology and feels that Dunn should be mentioned alongside Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Joni Mitchell when discussing the legends of popular song. Howes has played a major role in shaping the extensive catalogue of US-based reissue label Light in the Attic Records. The Jamaica-Toronto / Native North America series are key examples of his perception and dedication. His book deep liner notes also accompany Sixto Rodriguez’s landmark reissues. He has also helped to provide stages for a variety of artists at nationally broadcast events like the Native North America Gathering at Trinity-St. Paul’s in 2017. Howes is currently focused on Voluntary In Nature, an outlet for sharing.

• Lawrence Martin

  Lawrence Martin

  [Moose Cree]

  Lawrence Martin is well known for his incredible achievements in many different areas, from the political to the musical and beyond. Born on Moose Factory Island, but raised in the bush with his family, Martin became involved with music at a young age. An early hard rock group called VELL’s Universe featured Martin, Vern and Lloyd (as well as Elmer) Cheechoo, but it wasn’t until he connected with the Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre in Timmins that he started to record original compositions. In the 1980s, Lawrence began working for the Wawatay Native Communications Society, a still active connector and information sharing outlet for northern Indigenous communities. In 1991, Lawrence became the first elected Aboriginal mayor in a municipality outside of a First Nations reserve in Sioux Lookout (and later, Cochrane, Ontario in 2003) and took home the first Indigenous Juno award ever with his landmark Lawrence Martin Is Wapistan CD 1994.

  [Moose Cree]

• Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

  Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

  [Anishinabe]

  Leanne Betasamosake Simpson is a renowned Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg musician, writer and academic, who has been widely recognized as one of the most compelling Indigenous voices of her generation. Her work breaks open the boundaries between story and song—bringing audiences into a rich and layered world of sound, light, and sovereign creativity.

  URL http://www.leannesimpsonmusic.com/

  [Anishinabe]

• Leland Bell

  Leland Bell

  [Anishinaabe]

  For Leland Bell, music and visual art are part of a greater whole. Born on Manitoulin Island, Leland is known is his community as a talented painter and songwriter/performer. Active in both mediums since the 1970s, he not only contributed to the Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre’s Music From The Powerhouse album, but one of his paintings was featured on its cover. He has recently been active promoting his work on the pow wow trail and participated at the Native North America Gatherings at Trinity-St. Paul’s (2017) and the National Arts Centre (2018).

  [Anishinaabe]

• The Try Umphs

  The Try Umphs

  [Ojibwe]

  Leave your laces untied, it’s time to trip with The Try Umphs! These sun and dirt worshippers; based in Tkaronto, are irrevocably deep-rooted within ‘60s garage rock, but don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s all about having fun. Feed your head, man! Zoom!

  [Ojibwe]

• Vern Cheechoo

  Vern Cheechoo

  [Cree]

  Vern Cheechoo was born in Moose Factory in a family with five sisters and three brothers. Listening to country and rock music inspired him to play from a young age as well as his siblings, parents, and community members. In 1993, Vern released his debut solo album, Lonesome and Hurting, featured on the CBS television series Northern Exposure. His work has been recognized by the Juno Awards, Saskatchewan Country Music Awards and well as taking home a Best Produced Album prize at the 2000 Aboriginal Music Awards. Vern is currently director of lands and resources at Mushkegowuk Council and still writing, performing, and recording.

  [Cree]

• Willie Thrasher & Linda Saddleback

  Willie Thrasher & Linda Saddleback

  [Inuvialuit]

  Willie Thrasher is a gifted Inuk singer and songwriter living in Nanaimo, BC with his partner Linda Saddleback. Three of Thrasher’s songs appeared on the 2014 Grammy-nominated compilation, Native North America (Vol. 1), renewing interest in his and other Indigenous artists’ work. Thrasher’s powerful 1981 debut album, Spirit Child, which the 3 songs came from, was then reissued in 2015.

  Thrasher was born in Aklavik, Northwest Territories, in 1948 and at five years of age, Thrasher was taken from his family and sent to a residential school where he was forbidden to practice his Inuvialuit culture. Music was a way for Thrasher to escape the pain and longing. He has recorded both as a solo artist, and as a member of several bands, including The Cordells, and Red Cedar, with Morley Loon.

  Thrasher has advocated for Inuit and First Nations issues for much of his career. Today, Thrasher performs at home and around the world with his partner Linda Saddleback due to the global attention garnered by Native North America (Vol. 1). Wherever he may be, Willie Thrasher is a trailblazing troubadour with an Indigenous heartbeat sound.

  [Inuvialuit]

• Willy Mitchell

  Willy Mitchell

  [Algonquin/ Mohawk]

  Willy Mitchell is a living legend and co-organizer of 1981’s Sweet Grass Music Festival, recorded and released on vinyl back in the day as Sweet Grass Music. His personal, cultural, spiritual, and political songs like “Call of the Moose” have garnered attention near and far. Current albums such as Wolftracks have only added strength to his extensive repertoire. Currently based in Mistissini, he has been performing coast-to-coast in recent years helping to promote the Grammy-nominated Native North America compilation. 

  [Algonquin/ Mohawk]