2022 Entertainment

George Leach

George Leach, a Juno award winning artist from the Sta’atl’imx Nation, brings intense passion and dedication to every performance. His music brings together roots rock and soulful blues as slide guitar and a range of rhythms blend with his powerful voice. His self-produced debut album, “Just Where I’m At”, released in 2000, garnered international recognition, won numerous awards and established George as a respected singer, songwriter, guitarist and performer. His second album “Surrender”, released in 2013, featuring his raw vulnerability and incredible vocal range, went on to become a multiple award winning achievement. He continues to create new music, explore new sounds, and captivate audiences with his energy and spirit. A live performance by George Leach is an experience you won’t forget.

Neon Dreams

Alt-pop duo Neon Dreams chases rare blue butterflies

While their home base is Halifax, Nova Scotia, vocalist Frank Kadillac and drummer Adrian Morris of Neon Dreams were shocked when their single “Life Without Fantasies” went platinum in South Africa. Inspired to put out a positive message after the world had been in lockdown for a year, Neon Dreams knew they needed to meet their new fanbase. They played 16 shows in South Africa―some shows sold out within five minutes.

When they heard the voice of South African artist Mthandazo Gatya on his number one track “Senzeni,” Kadillac said, “This guy’s voice sounded like it was the earth singing.” Gatya and Neon Dreams collaborated on “Say It Out Loud,” a song that incorporates the band’s signature alt-pop sound with Gatya’s Afro-pop influences. 

Known for their high-energy live sets, Kadillac and Morris both play multiple instruments in genres from rock and folk to hip-hop and reggae. Neon Dreams has gone on to garner Gold and Platinum singles, sell out their shows, and win a coveted JUNO award. They’ve also backed their values by becoming Goodwill Ambassadors for The Justice Desk, a non-profit that teaches youth about human rights and how to defend them.

Continuing to inspire with new music, Kadillac also seeks serenity through meditation. At the eye-opening Blue Butterfly retreat in South Africa, he observed the rare, precious butterfly and saw it as a symbol to stop overthinking. “I realize we are all chasing a blue butterfly,” he explains. “That butterfly is our dreams, hope, love, and redemption. At the same time, we’re doing a little dance under the sun.”

Dance under the sun with Neon Dreams as they bring uplifting songs from their latest album Sweet Dream Till Sunbeams to the Four Fire Festival in September.

Sister Says

Sister Says is an indie pop/singer-songwriter project with an organic soul & at times folky sound. They are based out of Vancouver and fronted by mixed Haida/European siblings Gillian and Robert Thomson. Dreamy, eclectic and lyrically rich, Sister Says’s roots stem from the soul, jazz, blues, and pop music they grew up around.

Tsatsu Stalqayu – Coastal Wolf Pack

Tsatsu Stalqayu translated into English means Coastal Wolf Pack. A traditional Salish song and dance group, the group consists of over 25 male and female members of a single family, from age 6 months to over age 50. Their variation in age and gender allows for more song, dance and stories to be shared on stage and in their presentations.

Burnstick

It’s folk music that’s brimming with the kind of chemistry that could only come from a husband and wife. Nadia, a Francophone-Métis singer-songwriter, and Jason, a Plains-Cree guitarist, create the award-winning duo: Burnstick. Two performers whose voices and languages blend together with ease, Burnstick pushes the boundaries of contemporary folk music, weaving together the unique sounds of vintage Weissenborns with intriguing vocal harmonies, while allowing the beauty of simple melodies to shine through. Between their witty banter and delightful stories, it is hard to deny the magic they create as they command the stage with their palpable performances. In 2015, created an award-winning all-original lullaby album that married languages and bridged cultures. Coming back to their folk roots, Burnstick has released its JUNO-nominated debut album, Kîyânaw, featuring thunderous singles “Pay No Mind” and CFMA Single of the Year “Some Kind of Hell”, topping the charts of NCI’s Indigenous Music Countdown in Canada. With this album, Burnstick encourages the reclamation of each other’s respective cultures while choosing to be stronger, together.

Spakwus Slolem – Eagle Song Dancers

Spakwus Slolem, (translated, “Eagle Song Dancers”), are members of the Squamish Nation. Geographically located in what is called the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Our traditional territory being the Howe Sound, Vancouver to Whistler area. The Squamish have lived and utilized this area for over 10,000 years, having history traced back to the Great Flood, and an Ice Age.

We are a Coastal people, people of the cedar longhouses, of the great sea-going canoes, the racing war canoes, People of the Salmon. Our colourful history speaks of things of legend, of deeds of certain members of the Smylaith Tribe (Sasquatch), legends of the Animal Kingdom (i.e. The Raven, Seagull and Sun), which brings out Teachings of our Squamish People, the History of Takaya, the Wolf Clan, one of our Squamish Family’s History.

Spakwus Slolem presentations brings out “Chiax”, the protocol and laws of our canoe culture, for our Longhouses. Some of our Elders today still have memories of early years, travelling across the waters in great canoes to visit Family in distant lands, and exercising our Chiax. Spakwus Slolem presents a glimpse into this culture through singing/drumming and dance, and audience participation.

The Wild Moccasin Dancers

The Wild Moccasin Dancers are a dynamic dance duo that display the beauty and vibrancy of pow wow culture through dance. We engage the audience and encourage participation. As well as performances we also hold workshops. Our workshops are a wonderful opportunity for the audience to experience a more in-depth breakdown of the steps. From schools to festivals The Wild Moccasins have performed and taught at many events.

Alex Wells

Alex Wells is from the Lil’wat Nation, Mount Currie, B.C. Canada.

First Nations Dance and Cultural traditions has been his family’s way of life and he was brought up through the cultural ceremonies.

Travelling across North America since childhood competing in First Nations dance competitions has brought Alex into making it a professional business and a way of life.

Rex Smallboy

Rex Smallboy raps in protest of the horrendous treatment of indigenous people in Canada to direct attention to the devastating impacts of colonialism. Rex’s music echoes generations of indigenous truth and perseverance. It is a call for justice to uplift and honour the spirit and strength of his people.

Rex is a proud sober father breaking cycles of abuse healing intergenerational trauma from genocide and colonization. Rex faced his own dark history of domestic abuse by turning to the Warriors Against Violence program in Vancouver, BC for help along with getting professional psychological counselling. As part of his healing process Rex performs an apology song to address his harmful behaviour demonstrating the importance of taking accountability.

In 2001 Rex’s determination as an artist and manager helped lead the group War Party to be the first indigenous rappers to break into the mainstream music industry in Canada. Their music video for Feelin’ Reserved (produced by Tom Crier) gained the group professional recognition and success after they appeared nationally on Much Music Rap City.

In 2004 Rex featured rap music legend Chuck D on the album War Party the Resistance.

In 2005 Rex performed at the Canadian Pavilion with War Party for the World Expo held in Nagoya, Japan. The group disbanded that year.

In 2009 Rex joined forces with the Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (SOADI) to produce a youth rap album written to help prevent diabetes.

In 2018 Rex Smallboy was featured on the song Lost in the Cycle by Toronto rap artist Plex which successfully charted on the Indigenous Music Countdown.

In 2019 Rex worked with Nwe Jinan Studios teaching music production to indigenous youth in First nation’s communities.

In 2020 Rex was recognized for his work with War Party as a trailblazer in the SPEAK UP project with the National Music Centre in Calgary.

Rex Smallboy is currently working on a release to address the discovery of thousands of bodies of indigenous children at residential schools across Canada. Rex Smallboy is from Maskwacis and is now based out of Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territory.

Xwelmexw Shxwexwo:s – Salish Thunderbird

Songs with history, of the coastal & river people of the Pacific Northwest & the Salish Sea.

Family group from many First Nations including, Sto;lo, Musqueam, Sts:ailes, Snuneymuxw, Nuu-chah-nulth, Squamish & other surrounding tribes.

Sharing history thru song & dance. As a family group that has travelled & shared with many venues with other groups such as Smokey Valley & Tsatsu Stalqayu.

Making new ventures with a new beginning, Xwelmexw Shxwexwo:s hope to electrify audiences with energetic songs & dances to educate the world of our unwritten shared history of our people & heritage.

The Melawmen Collective

Indigenous fusion woven with hip hop, rock/folk, righteous rhymes and rich harmonies, carried through with experience, manifestation, and visions of intergenerational stories of pain and healing. The Melawmen Collective brings a uniqueness to their sound like no other, drawing in a wide variety of listeners through sharing their own journeys of life through their musical evolution together. ‘Melawmen’ means medicine in the Secwepemc language, and the unceded territory of the Secwepemc People in what is know known as BC, is where members Meeka Morgan (vocals, Secwepemc/Nuu-Chah-Nulth), Rob Hall (Vocals, Ghengis Ghandi’s, Ashcroft), Geo Ignace aka Geo The Voice (Vocals, Secwepemc/Cree), and Kiva Morgan-Hall (Vocals, Secwepemc/Nuu-Chah-Nulth), continue to grow. Joined by the heartfelt rhythm of Cass Gregg (Bass, Ts’ilcotin), and Victor Lacos (Drums, Republic of Chile).

DJ Kookum

Cheyanna Kootenhayoo AKA Kookum is a DJ and multi media maker from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, and Cold Lake First Nations, their maternal Denesuline traditional territory. Based out of Vancouver BC, Kookum has been making a name for their self across the country and is no stranger in the community.

Kookum is an open format DJ inspired by EDM and Hip Hop music. This diverse-mix-diva is a force on the decks and always keeps the party hype, fresh, and unpredictable.

Kookum tours nationally and internationally with the Snotty Nose Rez Kids. Holds down weekly DJ residencies. Facilitates videography and DJ workshops, operates sound and lighting for community dance parties, and works with youth as a DJ mentor. You can also catch DJ Kookum performing virtually for online festivals, curating online events, hosting online workshops, making beats in the studio, and selling merchandise on their online store.

Kookum has been a video editor for just over 10 years editing television, documentaries and promotional videos. Kookum is also the music supervisor for the children’s television series called ‘Coyote Science’ and host’s the Immersive Knowledge Transfer Podcast produced by the Indigenous Matriarchs 4 Media Lab.

Sekawnee

SEKAWNEE is one of Canada’s newest rising artists on the west coast. Emerging out of Vancouver, BC. The 23 year old songwriter and producer has been dropping records that perk the ears of the industry. This Afro-Indigenous artist, producer and engineer comes from the Squamish, Tla’amin, Kwakwaka’wakw/Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw, Tɫingit, and Xaayda Nations. He also has dual citizenship with the United States.

He has spent years focusing on his talents as an artist and music producer perfecting his craft in order to produce his own records as well as producing for some of the best rising talents in the Vancouver area. His music reflects his life and personality with every song. He brings a new energy to the industry with his sonically captivating productions and smirky yet energizing lyrics that will keep you coming back for more. Whether he’s singing, rapping or producing Sekawnee strives to have no limitations on his craft as a musician.

Growing up Sekawnee was introduced to a wide variety of music from his parents. His mother played a lot of 80s, 90s hip-hop and R&B with her favorite artists being Michael Jackson and Prince.

His father played a lot of 2000’s and 90’s hip hop as well as alternative rock, punk, medal, rock n’ roll with some of his favorite artists being Rage Against the Machine, Jimi Hendrix, and DMX. As Sekawnee grew older he started developing his own taste in music. He began getting into Electronic Dance Music listening to a lot of EDM based producers Like David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Flume and Deadmau5. Once Sekawnee had a good understanding of the production in Electronic Dance Music his focus shifted into Hip-Hop favoring producers such as Dr Dre, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Travis Scott, Metro Boomin and Southside from 808 mafia. Sekawnee talks about a time when he didn’t have a laptop to perfect and practice his music. “I told myself I was going to get a laptop and start producing music one day, It was just something in my heart that I felt like I needed to do.”

Pat Calihou Band

Pat Calihou Band consists of Pat Calihou (guitar and vocals), Dave Way (drums) and Robbie Taylor on bass. They are an interstellar blues band featuring slide guitar, driving blues, original music and songs from the seventies. They recently played the indigenous stage at the Surrey international fusion festival, as well as opening and closing the indigenous artist show case at the Vancouver PNE.