Aysanabee and Snotty Nose Rez Kids lead SSIMAs nominations, awards handed out Jun 6

By Will McGuirk

Aysanabee and Snotty Nose Rez Kids are among the nominees for the 2023 Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards (SSIMAs). Aysanabee leads with six nominations and the Kids have five.

Presented by TD Bank the National Indigenous Music Awards Show will take place at The National Arts Centre in Ottawa Tuesday, June 6th, 2023.

The SSIMAs span 16 categories, celebrating solo artists, duos and groups from across Canada as well as showcasing the diverse music and culture within the Indigenous community. Nominees were selected from 250 Canada-wide submissions by an invited panel of jurors comprising Indigenous and music industry professionals.

“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, adding “These Awards, in Canada’s capital city, provide an excellent platform for artists to be recognized for their hard work”.

The award ceremony will be hosted by Anishinaabe activist, broadcaster and content creator Sarain Fox. Performers have yet to be announced. Tickets are on sale Friday May 19th at 10AM, starting at $20.00 (including tax plus fees).

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.

Slowcity.ca Open Mic: William Prince, Arctic Monkeys, Bruce Cockburn, Orchestra GOLD, miles from nowhere, Mimi O'Bonsawin, and Ryan Wayne

By Will McGuirk

"’Easier and Harder' is about giving love a chance to mature. The lessons we learn when we get past the honeymoon stage. The benefits of not giving up and getting to love someone entirely; not only for their strengths but their shortcomings as well. There’s a comedy to it that I feel gives a peek into what long-term love is like. Live and learn. Give and take.” - William Prince

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Ryan Wayne · Forty Paces To The Bottom - Ryan Wayne

Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Wayfinding, Begonia, Storry, Jason Collett, White Lung, Emily Mac, American Lips, and Linebeck

By Will McGuirk

“I’d rather be someone’s shot of whiskey than everyone’s cup of tea,” - Emily Mac

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Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Birds of Bellwoods, Villages, Mimi Webb, Valentyna, Mariel Buckley, Kris Ulrich, and Neil Young

By Will McGuirk

“That moment when you see the mistakes you keep making, but can’t seem to change the pattern like the lyrics say, ‘with all the lights above me, I only see that shadow cast below.’ “ - Birds of Bellwoods

“We all have those moments where you just want to drop everything and leave it all behind. “Love Will Live On” is a daydream on just how good it could be if you actually did it.” - Villages

“It’s a broad stroke of what intolerance and shame can create in a bible-belt, prairie town. Lots of imagery from my childhood, church and the bottom of a glass.” - Mariel Buckley

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