The second annual Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Awards (SIMA) were held on Saturday at the EA Rawlinson Centre in Prince Albert. The evening was emceed by MBC’s Ken Landers, morning show host, and legendary comedian Don Burnstick.
Founder of SIMA, Donny Parenteau, opened the night by recognizing a loved community member and someone who helped make the SIMA awards possible two years in a row. Parenteau dedicated the evening to MBC’s Kent Worth, who recently passed away. He worked in the sales department and helped SIMA spread the word about the annual event.
Accomplished grass and hoop dancer Terrance Littletent from Kawacatoose Cree Nation and drum group Ironswing of Sturgeon Lake First Nation kicked off the first performance of the evening, getting the crowd ready for a night of remarkable Indigenous talent.
Following their performance, the first award of the evening was presented.
Big Tones, Dillon Gazandlare, Nigel Bell, Patrick Moon Bird, and Raven Reid were all nominated for the Emerging Artist of the Year Award. After a drum roll, the award was presented to Nigel Bell, who is a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian band.
“To everyone that supported my art from day one, thank you from the bottom of my heart; your support means everything to me,” Bell said after receiving the award.
The next award of the night was the Youth Award of the Year. Cree Canaries, John Jr. Charles, Julianna Parenteau, and Learyn Piche were all nominated for the award. The award was presented to Julianna Parenteau, who was speechless when hearing her name called.
“All of the nominees in this category, you guys all have amazing talent. Thank you to my family for always being here and supporting me,” she said while accepting the award.
Following a performance by Big Tones, the Rap/Hip Hop/Electronic Artist or Group of the Year Award was handed out. Big Tones, Nigel Bell, Patrick Moon Bird, Siren City, and The Journalist were all nominees in this category. Nigel Bell took home his second piece of hardware after winning this award and was lost for words when brought back on stage.
Carl Crane, Ron Desjardin, Sundance Brass, and The Journalist were the nominees for the fourth award of the night, the Gospel Recording of the Year Award. Sundance Brass came out on top and thanked his wife Sunshine for supporting him throughout his career.
“I’m tremendously blessed, and I take it with great honor to receive this award tonight,” he said on stage.
Melody Gliem, who was nominated for two awards on Friday, took the stage next to perform before the next award was handed out.
The Indigenous Language Recording of the Year Award was up for grabs next and was taken home by Lenard Adam for his song “Grandparents.” Adam is from Fond du Lac and has been making music in the Dene language for years.
“Winning something for the first time in my life, it’s really humbling; this is for my people and for my family, and last but not least, I wouldn’t have done it without my wife,” Adam said while receiving the award.
The award for Pow Wow Drum Group of the year was handed to Cree Canaries before a performance by Sundance Brass.
Angus Vincent, Berk Jodoin, Darryl Anderson, Glen Strong, and JJ Lavallee were all nominated for the Country/Roots Artist or Group of the Year award. JJ Lavallee took to the stage when his name was called as the winner.
“Thank you to my fiancé Linda for never giving up on me and being part of this rollercoaster ride, and I want to thank you, the fans and supporters here in Saskatchewan,” he said while on stage.
Next on the agenda, Don Burnstick took to the stage for a comedy performance where he had the crowd laughing and smiling from ear to ear.
(Photo: Don Burnstick performing)
The next award of the night was the Instrumentalist of the Year Award, with Dillon Gazandlare, JJ Lavallee, Jordan Daniels, Nigel Bell, and Sean Bougie as nominees in the category. JJ Lavallee took to the stage to take home his second award of the night.
Aaron Arcand, Dillon Gazandlare, Donny Corrigal, Elliot “Elwood” Frank, and Lancelot Knight were all contenders for the Rock/Heavy Metal/Blues Artist or Group of the Year Award. Renound artist Chester Knight’s son Lancelot Knight ended up taking home that piece of hardware.
“My dad Chester Knight, he’s one of the greatest artists of all time; he helped me, and I’m happy that we have these things going on because I make music for me, but I make it so young native kids can have something I never had before growing up, and that’s native artists in the spotlight,” he said on stage.
Up next was a very special award, the Willard Ahenakew Award, which is a lifetime achievement award. The award was given to Rebecca Strong, who captured the hearts of people across Saskatchewan and nationwide when she won this year’s Canada’s Got Talent and showcased years of dedication and practice. The crowd gave Strong a standing ovation, and she was filled with emotion while accepting her first ever award.
“I’m so honored; I couldn’t get to where I am without my family and my friends being my biggest supporters, and this is the most amazing province that I could ever be born into,” she said while wiping away tears.
Vocalist/guitarist Dillon Gazandlare then took to the stage to share his story on the struggles of growing up with a disability and following his dreams. Gazandlare of Wollaston Lake was born without his left forearm but blew the crowd away when he performed “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” by Fall Out Boy.
(Photo: Dillon Gazandlare performing)
Julianna Parenteau, Melodie Gliem, Raven Reid, and Serena Lynn Nicotine are all contenders for the Female Artist of the Year award, where Julianna Parenteau took home her second win of the night.
Up next was the Male Artist of the Year Award, where Berk Jodoin, Dakota Favel, Darryl Anderson, Donny Corrigal, and JJ Lavallee were all nominated. Dakota Favel was called to the stage and took home the prize.
“Even just being nominated for this award was good enough for me, and now I get to take this award home and be like, ‘Babe, this is going right here.’ Thank you guys so much,” said Favel while on stage.
Before the final award of the night, Rebbeca Strong performed “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo and captured the hearts of fans once again before receiving her second standing ovation of the night.
(Photo: Rebecca Strong performing)
The final award of the night was the Fans Choice Award, which had the most nominations of any category. Aaron Arcand, Berk Jodoin, Brindan, Dakota Favel, Darryl Anderson, Dillon Gazandlare, Donny Corrigal, Glen Strong, JJ Lavallee, Julianna Parenteau, Lancelot Knight, Melodie Gliem, Nigel Bell, Raven Reid, RaytheNihilist, Sëdézë, Serena Lynn Nicotine, Smokey Campbell, and The Journalist were all contenders for the award. Sëdézë was announced as the winner of the award as well as the Song of the Year Award for their song “Earthside.” Sëdézë was not able to make it to the awards ceremony, but their hardware will be sent to them.
To wrap up the night, all the winners were welcomed back to the stage as the board of directors thanked the artists, sponsors, and the crowd.