sakihiwe news
Eight Aboriginal acts pick up nominations in Western Canada
John Arcand, David Morin, William Prince, Don Amero, Nadia Gaudet & Jason Burnstick, Digawolf, Yvonne St. Germaine, and Young Medicine earned nominations for the 2016 Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA), which will be handed out on October 13 during BreakOut West in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Arcand, known as "Master of the Métis Fiddle," is gearing up for the 19th annual John Arcand Fiddle Fest, which is one of Turtle Island's longest running Métis music and culture festivals, and he will receive the 2016 Heritage Award for his storied career and numerous contributions to Western Canada's music industry.
Manitoba-based duo Gaudet and Burnstick lead the pack of Aboriginal nominees with opportunities to win in the Aboriginal Artist of the Year, Children's Artist of the Year, and Francophone Artist of the Year categories.
Morin, a crooner from British Columbia, and Peguis First Nation's Prince both picked up two nominations for Every Colour and Earthly Days, respectively.
St. Germaine is in the running for Spiritual Artist of the Year and Young Medicine are nominated in the World Artist of the Year category.
Amero, who picked up multiple nominations at the 2016 JUNO Awards and Digawolf round out the Aboriginal Artist of the Year nominees.
The WCMA show will kick off the BreakOut West festivities, set for October 13-16. Please visit breakoutwest.ca for a complete list of WCMA nominees and full details about the BreakOut West music festival and conference.
2016 Heritage Award: John Arcand
Aboriginal Artist of the Year
David Morin (BC)
Digawolf (NT)
Don Amero (MB)
Nadia Gaudet & Jason Burnstick (MB)
William Prince (MB)
Children's Artist of the Year, presented by SaskTel
Nadia Gaudet & Jason Burnstick (MB)
Francophone Artist of the Year, presented by Musicaction
Nadia Gaudet & Jason Burnstick (MB)
Roots Solo Artist of the Year, presented by Big Rock Brewery
William Prince (MB)
Spiritual Artist of the Year
Yvonne St. Germaine (SK)
Urban Artist of the Year
David Morin (BC)
World Artist of the Year
Young Medicine (AB)
