THUNDER BAY – A vibrant list as diversified as the music itself made up the assembly of winners at the podium at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards held last night in Hamilton, Ontario. Unfortunately for Shy-Anne and the Thunder Mountain Singers they won’t be coming home with the top awards this year.
The twenty-two winners represented all parts of Canada. New performers to seasoned artists submitted music with an overall emphasis of fusion of Aboriginal and mainstream treatment of their music.
A number of multiple winners graced the staged again this year with Edmonton’s Wayne Lavalle the winner of three of the prestigious awards.
Double winners included the Chippewas Travellers of Chippewas of Nawash, Ontario, Eagle and Hawk from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Joel Johnson of Six Nations, Ontario and Feenix hailing from Edmonton, Alberta.
The critically acclaimed Gala Show held at Hamilton Place Theater was dedicated to Veterans and Warriors both past and present.
Headlining this year’s show was the “Artic Rose” Susan Aglukark along with a special drum group made up of Aboriginal Canadian Military members. Also featured on stage were: Eagle and Hawk, Joey Stylez, Gabriel Ayala, Brad Moggie, Janet Panic, Wayne Lavallee, Sister Says, Diyet, and Desiree Dorion.