One of the most powerful events I’ve attended recently was at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto on March 8. It was a celebration of International Women’s Day through performances by Indigenous artists, curated by Denise Bolduc. I was deeply grateful for the opportunity to attend this event and hear the unique voices and stories of Indigenous artists who are breaking barriers in the music industry, where they have been historically underrepresented. 

First up on stage was Shawnee Kish. She is a 3x JUNO-nominated Mohawk Two-Spirit artist, based in Edmonton, Alberta. Her music blends alternative country with elements of soul, rock, and folk. Her lyrics tell stories of her personal experience, and every song was delivered with raw emotion. Shawnee shared that she feels as though she was gifted her voice to make other Two-Spirit Indigenous people feel seen. 

Amanda Rheaume was the second performer of the evening. She is a Citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario with Red River roots, as well as Anishinaabe relatives from Lac Seul and mixed settler ancestry. She has received several major recognitions, including the 2024 Spirit of Folk Award, and the 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year. Beyond her work as a singer and songwriter, she is a dedicated advocate for Indigenous music. Amanda co-founded Ishkode Records and the International Indigenous Music Summit. She is also a founding board member of the Indigenous Music Office.

She performed her song, Red Dress, which is about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Amanda wrote this song as a reaction to those who blame the victims, without considering the impact that years of colonization have had on Indigenous women. She aims to raise awareness and remind people that these women are not just statistics, but mothers, sisters, daughters, and aunts. She encourages reflection on how generations of marginalization, discrimination, and intergenerational trauma have led to this crisis.

Amanda also performed her song, Do About Her, which explores the experience of living between two worlds:

“She’s been this way her whole life

Carrying what some refuse to see

Always enough, never too much

Her stride crosses centuries

Still you say she’s not a real Indian girl

She’s not quite a white girl either

Her heart lives in both worlds

What we gonna do about her?”

The final performer was Tia Wood. I had heard her song Sage My Soul months earlier on the radio and was blown away by her powerful vocals. Tia grew up in Saddle Lake Cree Nation, a First Nations community in central Alberta, and she is the first Indigenous woman signed to Sony Music. Her music is a unique mix of traditional and contemporary sounds. During her performance, Tia spoke proudly of the generations of strong women who came before her and reflected on how they shaped the person she is today. 

While introducing her song Dirt Roads, she shared, “I wrote this song about feeling out of place, but finding comfort. My mom always says that when you walk on stage, you’re not just going up there by yourself. You’re carrying your whole res, your whole community. You’re representing people. I always say this song is a love letter to all my people.” 

International Women’s Day is dedicated to recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and continuing the work towards global gender equality.

Learn more about the artists:

Shawnee Kish: https://www.shawneekish.com/

Amanda Rheaume: https://www.amandarheaume.com/

Tia Wood: https://tiawood.ca/