OUR STORY

The IIMS logo features an illustrated flower with 12 petals and three leaves on each side. It is inspired by the traditional Anishinaabe Woodland art style.

The International Indigenous Music Summit (IIMS) is the largest global event dedicated to celebrating, creating awareness, sharing resources, and building opportunities for the Indigenous music community.

IIMS creates space for the most significant gathering of Indigenous artists, industry, knowledge keepers, community builders, and allies to discuss, exchange, share and connect with one another, in a culturally sensitive and appropriate space directed at building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between artists and industry professionals.

Three musicians from South America share a candid moment of laughter during a break from indoor activites at IIMS.
A photo from one of the IIMS's many industry panels shows a row of 6 panel speakers sitting beside each other. There is laughter and clapping. In the foreground, audience members are also clapping.

Participants and collaborators include creators, event organizers, presenters, key knowledge holders, and cultural connectors from many parts of the world.  An Elder advisory committee has foundational input on thematic material, organization, and execution.  IIMS embeds key international industry professionals as delegates, selecting cultural connectors within regions that represent significant opportunities for Indigenous artists to showcase their work to new audiences, book tours, and build new professional and creative relationships.

OUR HISTORY

2018-19

Woodford Festival

• Indigenous artists and programmers from around the world gathered backstage at Woodford Festival sharing ideas, dreams, and challenges within the Indigenous music community, alongside ShoShona Kish and Auntie Rhoda Roberts

• Witnessing this gathering sparked the first idea to create the International Indigenous Music Summit

2019

Inaugural International Indigenous Music Summit

• Hosted at Folk Alliance International
• Tiohtià:ke/Montréal
• 27 Indigenous artist showcases

2020

Year 2: The Summit Returns

• Bulbancha/New Orleans
• 42 Indigenous artist showcases
• First appearance of Panels, roundtable discussions, Elder sessions, Welcoming Ceremony & Feast

2021

Indigenous Music Alliance Established as a Non-Profit Organization

2021

Overcoming Obstacles: First Standalone IIMS

• Held virtually during COVID-19 pandemic
• Giiwewizh: 16 short Indigenous artist documentaries
• 4 international spotlights 
• Over 600 virtual delegates

2022

BIMIWIZH Regional Summit Series Launched

• 6 Community gatherings & local spotlight showcases across
Northern Turtle Island 
• Over 300 participants

2023

First Standalone, In-Person IIMS

• Toronto, ON
• 40 Indigenous artist showcases
• 55 speakers
• Over 260 attendees

2024

IIMS 2024

• Toronto, ON
• 45 Indigenous artist showcases
• Over 500 attendees

2025

IIMS 2025

• Toronto, ON
• 45 Indigenous artist showcases
• 500+ delegates
• 1,000+ attendees from 15
countries