Spring Awakening Artists

This season’s line up of talented Indigenous artists, performers and music professionals.

Check out our Show Schedule to find out more about their virtual events.

PiqSiq

FrancisBaptiste

Francis Baptiste

PiqSiq

Baptiste is currently working on his debut solo album. He recently begun the journey of reconnecting with his Indigenous culture by incorporating his native language, N̓syilxčn̓, into his songwriting. His forthcoming LP, Snəqsilxʷ (Family), features songs in N̓syilxčn̓.

Song Publishing Lab

Alan-Greyeres

Alan Greyeres

Publishing

Greyeyes serves as the Festival Director for the sākihiwē festival and runs the artist and project management company, Ogichidaa Arts. Alan is a member of the Peguis First Nation. In 2020, he received the Arts Award of Distinction from the Manitoba Arts Council and the Kevin Walters Legacy Award from Manitoba Music.
Noble

Brittni Noble

Publishing

Noble founded be noble, a publishing company dedicated to amplifying songwriters and providing a world-class partnership built on integrity and diligence. Since launching, be noble has been focused on expanded its artist roster and has since signed a number of performers in pop-folk, r&b‑soul and pop-country genres.
Irwin-min-scaled

Nigel Irwin

Publishing

Irwin is a Cree multi-artist based in Toronto. As Co-Creative Director of Nagamo Publishing, Irwin helped build the first production music-library created entirely by indigenous artists. A composer of documentaries, commercials, and short films, Irwin’s work was recognized with the Bullseye Music Award.

Songwriters on Songwriting

Caitlin Goulet

Music

Goulet is a singer-songwriter best known for writing conversational, raw, and unapologetic lyrics and performing with expressive vocals. In 2019, she released her first music video, Dive Deep and since then, she has been releasing singles leading up to a full album set to release in May 2021.
ZachSaunders

Zach Saunders

Music

Saunders is an Alternative R&B and soul artist from Vancouver, BC. He released his first extended playlist to iTunes entitled ‘Wonderful’ in 2014. After taking a break from writing for a few years, Saunders released his latest single ‘Selfish’ and has many more releases planned in the future.

Spring Fling Aboriginal Cabaret

VniDansi

V’ni Dansi

Dance

V’ni Dansi is a Vancouver-based traditional Métis and contemporary dance company dedicated to sharing the dances, stories and culture of the Métis. Led by Artistic Director Yvonne Chartrand, V’ni Dansi is the only company in Canada to teach and perform both Métis and contemporary dance.
EagleExMachina

Eagle Ex Machina

Music

Eagle Ex Machina is an alternative rock band based out of Vancouver, BC. Founded by multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter Matt Cook-Contois, the band combines rock with traditional fiddling. The debut album of Eagle Ex Machina features an aggressive approach to songwriting, guitar and violin proficiency.
Michelle Heyoka

Michelle Heyoka

Music

Michelle Heyoka is an indigenous upcoming Singer/Songwriter based in Vancouver, B.C. She has graced the stages of local festivals & shows such as The International Jazz Fest, Hunch, The Annual D.T.E.S Emerge festival & much more.
ZachSaunders

Zach Saunders

Music

Saunders is an Alternative R&B and soul artist from Vancouver, BC. He released his first extended playlist to iTunes entitled ‘Wonderful’ in 2014. After taking a break from writing for a few years, Saunders released his latest single ‘Selfish’ and has many more releases planned in the future.

Write On

HerbieBarnes

Herbie Barnes

Write On

Baptiste is currently working on his debut solo album. He recently begun the journey of reconnecting with his Indigenous culture by incorporating his native language, N̓syilxčn̓, into his songwriting. His forthcoming LP, Snəqsilxʷ (Family), features songs in N̓syilxčn̓.