Shawnee Kish
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Shawnee Kish
Shawnee Kish, Guest Artist
Named the winner of CBC’s 2020 Searchlight talent competition, Shawnee Kish has been celebrated as one of North America’s Top Gender Bending Artists (MTV), named by Billboard as an Artist You Need To Know, and continuously uses her music to empower. An outspoken advocate for her Indigenous and LGBTQ2+ communities, she is a proud Two Spirit Mohawk who has shared the stage with some of the world’s biggest names—Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Alicia Keys, to name a few.
2021 will see Shawnee release a new EP that addresses her personal struggles over the past twelve months—“The main theme will be lighting up what used to be and getting on with what is now. The songs represent becoming yourself, finding out where you were was not where you wanted to be, and fully embracing that in order to let go. Light the Place up, even if it’s unintentional”—and hopefully, return to touring. She will also continue her work with the We Matter Campaign and Kids Help Phone in hopes of empowering youth, providing strength, and hope through music.
Mohawk and Two-Spirit singer-songwriter Shawnee Kish collaborated with young Indigenous artists who have never performed on a stage before, bringing them on a journey of self-discovery using music as medicine. Immersed in a nature-inspired setting, Shawnee’s episode is a walk in the wild where struggle and pain meet strength and the warrior spirit.
Shawnee Kish, Guest Artist
Named the winner of CBC’s 2020 Searchlight talent competition, Shawnee Kish has been celebrated as one of North America’s Top Gender Bending Artists (MTV), named by Billboard as an Artist You Need To Know, and continuously uses her music to empower. An outspoken advocate for her Indigenous and LGBTQ2+ communities, she is a proud Two Spirit Mohawk who has shared the stage with some of the world’s biggest names—Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Alicia Keys, to name a few.
2021 will see Shawnee release a new EP that addresses her personal struggles over the past twelve months—“The main theme will be lighting up what used to be and getting on with what is now. The songs represent becoming yourself, finding out where you were was not where you wanted to be, and fully embracing that in order to let go. Light the Place up, even if it’s unintentional”—and hopefully, return to touring. She will also continue her work with the We Matter Campaign and Kids Help Phone in hopes of empowering youth, providing strength, and hope through music.
Mohawk and Two-Spirit singer-songwriter Shawnee Kish collaborated with young Indigenous artists who have never performed on a stage before, bringing them on a journey of self-discovery using music as medicine. Immersed in a nature-inspired setting, Shawnee’s episode is a walk in the wild where struggle and pain meet strength and the warrior spirit.
Shawnee Kish, Guest Artist
Named the winner of CBC’s 2020 Searchlight talent competition, Shawnee Kish has been celebrated as one of North America’s Top Gender Bending Artists (MTV), named by Billboard as an Artist You Need To Know, and continuously uses her music to empower. An outspoken advocate for her Indigenous and LGBTQ2+ communities, she is a proud Two Spirit Mohawk who has shared the stage with some of the world’s biggest names—Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Alicia Keys, to name a few.
2021 will see Shawnee release a new EP that addresses her personal struggles over the past twelve months—“The main theme will be lighting up what used to be and getting on with what is now. The songs represent becoming yourself, finding out where you were was not where you wanted to be, and fully embracing that in order to let go. Light the Place up, even if it’s unintentional”—and hopefully, return to touring. She will also continue her work with the We Matter Campaign and Kids Help Phone in hopes of empowering youth, providing strength, and hope through music.
Araya and Zoe’s ancestry is Gitxsan (people of the river of mist - Skeena river). They are of the Lax Seel clan (frog), Wilp Niisto (our house within frog clan).
They were born and raised on the ancestral lands of Lheidli Tenneh (People of the confluence in Prince George).
They are 15 year old twins who have had a passion for singing since they could talk.
Hello, my name is Eden Ward AKA NICK STONE, and I am from Metepenagiag First Nation. I started writing raps when I was around 13 years old, what got me into hip-hop music was my mom. She used to play a whole bunch of Tupac, Biggie and Eminem when I was little. I recorded my first ever song back when I was 14, I had a blue snowball microphone and an old PC with audacity, which is a free DAW (digital audio workstation). I went on YouTube and downloaded a producers beat which was free for nonprofit and after that day I kept rapping till I was around 15 turning 16. I quit for a year because I didn’t think my music was good enough, but I came back and later found my love for the craft once again. I started practicing, writing, and recording more frequently later found myself at age 17 wanting to continue with my career of being a rapper/music artist.
Theland Kicknosway is an Indigenous youth who uses his voice to spread his message and showcase Indigenous culture. He is wolf clan from the Potawatomi and Cree Nation and is a member of Walpole Island, Bkejwanong Territory.
Theland has been a fixture in the Indigenous community as a traditional singer, drummer, dancer & social media influencer. In 2018, Theland became the youngest Indspire Laureate named for Culture, Heritage and Spirituality. His path-breaking efforts have also been mentioned in Teen Vogue, Entertainment Tonight and Complex. As he nears his 18th year in the Physical World, Theland continues to shine.
Sunrise Biidaaban Dreaver is Anishinaabe-Nêhiyawak. She is a member of Mistawasis First Nation in Saskatchewan. Sunrise will be graduating from College catholique Samuel-Genest this June. She has been dancing fancy shawl at pow wows all over Turtle Island since the time she could walk. Sunrise is passionate about music, dancing, soccer and hockey. She is the proud recipient of a youth leadership award from the local Indigenous community organizations in Ottawa for being a role model in the community.
Tristan Dreaver is Anishinaabe-Nêhiyawak. He is a member of Mistawasis First Nation in Saskatchewan and attends a local high school in Ottawa. He is a proud grass dancer and has been sharing his dance through pow wows and cultural demonstrations since he was two years old. Tristan is also an accomplished soccer and hockey player.
Laureen (Blu) Waters (They/Them): Istchii Nikamoon: Earth Song, Wolf clan. Cree/Metis/Micmac, Blu is a member of the Metis Nation of Ontario.
Blu’s family is from Big River Saskatchewan, Star Blanket Reserve and Bra’dor Lake, Eskasoni First Nations, Cape Breton Nova Scotia, and the Red River. Blu grew up with their grandmother and learned about traditional medicines, learning healing methods and care of the sick. Their grandmother also shared her knowledge of the great teachings.
Blu is currently working at Seneca College as an Elder on campus providing traditional teachings and one-to-one counselling.
Blu spent 2.5 years working for the National Inquiry for Murdered and Missing Women as a Grandmother to Commissioner Brian Eyelfson and sits on the Grandmother Circle.
Blu sits on the Thunder Women Healing Lodge as a Director of the Board.
Blu also sits as the Ontario representative for Metis people with 2 Spirits In Motion Board.
Blu also provides ceremony, teaching, and counselling for 2 Spirit People of the First Nations, in Toronto.
Blu was also the national caucus representative for the Toronto Urban Aboriginal strategies for five years working with the community of Toronto and the government. They are also a graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology receiving their business software micro-computer architecture and A+ certification.
Blu's gifts include: Traditional teachings, giving traditional spirit names, hand drumming, song writer, creative writings, and full moon conductor. Pipe ceremonies and sweat lodge ceremonies and Traditional counselling.
Blu is a 2 spirit person, a mother of 3, a grandmother of 3, a sun dancer, and a pipe carrier.
Since its debut in 1969, the National Arts Centre (NAC) Orchestra has been praised for the passion and clarity of its performances, its visionary educational programs, and its prominent role in nurturing Canadian creativity. Under the leadership of Music Director Alexander Shelley, the NAC Orchestra reflects the fabric and values of Canada, reaching and representing the diverse communities we live in with daring programming, powerful storytelling, inspiring artistry, and innovative partnerships.
Alexander Shelley began his tenure as Music Director in 2015, following Pinchas Zukerman’s 16 seasons at the helm. Principal Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and former Chief Conductor of the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra (2009–2017), he has been in demand around the world, conducting the Rotterdam Philharmonic, DSO Berlin, Leipzig Gewandhaus, and Stockholm Philharmonic, among others, and maintains a regular relationship with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie and the German National Youth Orchestra.
Each season, the NAC Orchestra features world-class artists such as the newly appointed Artist-in-Residence James Ehnes, Angela Hewitt, Joshua Bell, Xian Zhang, Gabriela Montero, Stewart Goodyear, Jan Lisiecki, and Principal Guest Conductor John Storgårds. As one of the most accessible, inclusive, and collaborative orchestras in the world, the NAC Orchestra uses music as a universal language to communicate the deepest of human emotions and connect people through shared experiences.
Alexander Shelley succeeded Pinchas Zukerman as Music Director of Canada’s NAC Orchestra in September 2015. The ensemble has since been praised as being “transformed... hungry, bold, and unleashed” (Ottawa Citizen) and Shelley’s programming credited for turning the orchestra into “one of the more audacious in North America” (Maclean’s).
Shelley is a champion of Canadian creation; recent hallmarks include the multimedia projects Life Reflected and UNDISRUPTED,and three major new ballets in partnership with NAC Dance for Encount3rs. He is passionate about arts education and nurturing the next generation of musicians. He is an Ambassador for Ottawa’s OrKidstra, a charitable social development program that teaches children life skills through making music together.
Alexander Shelley is also the Principal Associate Conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and, starting with the 2024–2025 season, Artistic and Music Director of Artis-Naples and the Naples Philharmonic in Florida, USA. In the spring of 2019, he led the NAC Orchestra on its critically acclaimed 50th Anniversary European tour, and in 2017, he led the Orchestra in a tour across Canada, celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary. Most recently, he led the Orchestra in its first performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 30 years.
He has made seven recordings with the NAC Orchestra, including the JUNO-nominated New Worlds, Life Reflected, ENCOUNT3RS, The Bounds of Our Dreams, and the acclaimed Clara, Robert, Johannes four-album series, all with Canadian label Analekta.
The Music Director role is supported by Elinor Gill Ratcliffe, C.M., O.N.L., LL.D. (hc)
A three-time Canadian Screen Award winner and International Film Music Critics Association Award nominee with over 100 composition credits to his name, Darren Fung (馮浩明) is a highly influential composer who is well-respected in the film, television and concert worlds. His work on Niobe Thompson’s The Great Human Odyssey and Equus: Story of the Horse received widespread critical acclaim, winning the 2016 and 2019 Canadian Screen Awards for Best Non-Fiction Music, and has been presented in concert with orchestras across Canada. His diverse credits include re-envisioning Canada's beloved Hockey Theme for TSN, the theme music for CTV’s Canada AM, numerous orchestral arrangements for artists and orchestras internationally, and film scores that have been heard at prestigious film festivals around the world, including Toronto, Cannes, and Sundance.
In addition to composing, Darren serves on the Board of the Screen Composers Guild of Canada, the public policy leadership development program Action Canada, and as a Program Advisor for the Canadian Film Centre's Slaight Music Residency. In a feeble attempt to counteract the sedimentary lifestyle of a composer, Darren wakes up way too early rowing with the Los Angeles Rowing Club and stays up way too late playing hockey. He is rather awful at both.
Special thank you to We Matter
For resources and support, please visit: Kids Help Phone
Thank you to Elder Annie Smith St-Georges
Developed with support from the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund
The National Arts Centre Foundation wishes to acknowledge and thank the donors who have made Undisrupted possible: