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≈ 90 minutes · With intermission
Crown Lands are gifted storytellers with their eyes on both this world and others. They are painters of intriguing, immersive universes and staunch advocates for the LGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities. They're counter-culturalists of the 21st century, their work informed by a mix of old-world wisdom, science fiction, and musical influences from Rush to Paul Simon, Led Zeppelin to John Prine.
Even though they're still in their twenties, Crown Lands have deep ties to history. The duo consists of singer/drummer Cody Bowles, a reconnecting Mi’kmaq Two Spirit who grew up learning from elders of the Alderville First Nation reserve in Canada, and guitarist/keyboardist Kevin Comeau, a Jewish-born musician from Whitby, Ontario, whose ancestors survived the Holocaust. Together, they channel ancient spirits into their stories, addressing contemporary issues along the way.
Crown Lands made their entrance with compelling, straight-up rock'n'roll, showcased in their Juno-nominated, self-titled record, Crown Lands LP (2020). Following a consistent output of new music, the band's fresh approach and mission-driven catalogue earned them the 2021 Juno Award for “Breakthrough Group of the Year.”
Cody Coyote of Ottawa is of Ojibwe/Irish descent, with ancestry from the Matachewan First Nation. His unique blend of strong, profound lyricism, paired with influential sounds such as in his song “Debwe”, positions him as a standout in the Hip-Hop/Electronic/Pop scene. This multi-award-nominated and award-winning artist captivates his audience with mesmerizing performances.
Recognized for his dedication to creating positive change, Cody Coyote clinched the award for Ottawa's Best Hip-Hop Artist at the 2023 Ottawa Awards, hosted by FACES Magazine, CTV, and Mattamy Homes Canada. Before this, his song "There Tonight" topped the Indigenous Music Countdown in August 2022, while "Helpless" reached number 7 in February 2022, and "Manidoo Dewe’igan" secured the number 1 spot in January 2020.
Beyond music, Cody Coyote is a motivational speaker, workshop facilitator, and the host of “The Beat” on ELMNT FM, owned and operated by First People’s Radio Inc. (Ottawa/Toronto).
“The community work I do is truly the driving force behind my passion," says Coyote. "It's all about initiating positive change in today's world. I want future generations to feel empowered and recognized.”
DJ Pøptrt is a celebrated Indigenous artist originating from the Mohawk Nation of Kahnawá:ke. Her sound combines her Kanien’kehá:ka heritage with contemporary electronic music, culminating in a truly unique and captivating aesthetic. Pøptrt's
journey as an artist began in 2015 when she delved into the world of media and art in Montréal, where she swiftly gained prominence as a rising multidisciplinary artist in the industry. Her dynamic sets span across many styles of house, tech house, disco house and more.
Pøptrt's art seamlessly merges her cultural influences and Pop-art sensibilities, resulting in an artistic experience that is both immersive and captivating. She has performed at some of Canada's most prestigious events and venues, including Piknic Électronik, Future Forest, Igloofest and more.
As a trailblazer in the Canadian music and visual art scene, Pøptrt has garnered widespread recognition for her exceptional talent and unique perspective. Her artistic vision has earned her numerous accolades and has inspired audiences across Canada
to embrace their cultural heritage and creative passions.
Tamara Podemski is an Anishnaabe/Ashkenazi multi-disciplinary artist born and raised in Toronto. For the past 30 years she has made a name for herself on stage and screen, amplifying under-represented and marginalized voices. She is passionate about telling authentic stories about Indigenous women, while fighting to correct the colonial narrative pervasive in the film and television industry. Having grandparents who are both Holocaust survivors and residential school survivors, Tamara speaks openly about issues of intergenerational trauma, reconciliation and inherited legacies of oppressed people.
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I am the granddaughter of two residential school survivors – Tom Anaquod and Sophie McDonald. They met at LeBret Indian Residential School in the Qu’Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan. I wrote a song in honour of them called “Brand New Day,” which I performed at the inaugural event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Winnipeg back in 2010. Over a decade later, I’m still singing the song and yet, these past couple years, it seems to resonate now more than ever. Sharing this song with my family and singing it with my son, in particular, inspired me to explore how lyrics – heard or sung through music – can allow people to access complex emotions and ideas and maybe even experience them in a more supported and compassionate way. How can we carry the painful truths of our stories, while also celebrating our own existences in spite of everything? #ReconcileThis
“My art is my rage that waits to be safely bestowed on a stage."
Artist. Activist. Educator. Zoey Roy is a force. Her performances weave storytelling, rap, theatre and rhythm and blues together to confront colonialism, explore how it impacts Indigenous people, and find pathways of healing: “What I love most about spoken word is that I can synthesize deep and complex narratives in a way that they become socially acceptable and palatable for a wider audience. I feel a sense of empathy and understanding can be gained by the collective in these moments.”
Zoey is a hip hop inspired spoken word poet who uses her connection to words to bridge understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing amongst Canadians and the world. She’s also a facilitator and a creative producer, designing creative opportunities from Coast to Coast to Coast to amplify Indigenous voices, within context, as much as she can.
Zoey is dedicated to working with young people and brings her messages of anti-racism and healing into classrooms around the country. She has earned a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Public Policy, and is pursuing a PhD in Education. Through her doctoral studies, she is working toward building schools that are not dependent on the colonial system. She calls it “the HYPE Institute: Helping Young People Engage”.
She has written two books: the memoir Homecoming (2016), and The Voyageurs: Forefathers of the Métis Nation (2019). Memorable performances include the Regina and Calgary Folk Festivals, Canada 150 on Parliament Hill, BIGSOUND in Australia, and the Dubai Expo 2021. Zoey has been awarded many honours, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), Congress of Aboriginal Peoples National Youth Leadership Award (2013), Indspire Award (2016), and the Saskatchewan Arts Award for Arts and Learning (2019).
Zoey is Nehithaw-Dené Métis, a member of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation with roots also from the Black Lake Denesuline Nation, and Green Lake, Saskatchewan. She is now based in Ottawa, Ontario, but calls Saskatoon home.
“I want people to know that I am actively working on healing, and that I have tools I’ve picked up along the way that I am open to sharing with them, if they’re willing to listen.”