IIMS OVERVIEW
IIMS features over 50 Indigenous artist showcases, and includes a traditional welcoming ceremony and feast, an opening night gala, panels & workshops, B2B networking sessions, artist professional development opportunities, a closing night celebration, and more!
The International Indigenous Music Summit (IIMS) is an annual five-day event for Indigenous artists and the music industry to come together to honour tradition and forge new paths, through curated musical showcases, networking activities, panels and ceremonies.
Light Breakfast
Indigenous Presenters Network Meeting (private)
Main Summit Circle
Collaborators & Co-Conspirators Circle
Lunch
Afternoon Panels
Dinner
Daytime showcases
Nighttime Showcases
Latenight Showcase
A Day at a Glance
Speaking the Land: An Aunties Council on Indigenous Languages
Between Sky and Earth: Indigenous Expressions Beyond the Binary
The Perfect Pitch: The Artist’s Journey to a Sync Deal
Medicine for Identity, Sovereignty, and Belonging: Upholding Our Traditional Laws and Teachings
Bridges Not Borders: Touring as a Relational Practice
Indigenous Futures: AI Creativity Sovereignty
A Peek At Our Programming
FAQ: Your Summit Questions, Answered
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The International Indigenous Music Summit (IIMS) is the world's leading gathering dedicated to advancing Indigenous music, artists, and music professionals. Held annually, the Summit is typically five days long and brings together Indigenous artists, industry leaders, cultural leaders, presenters, labels, agents, managers, and more from across Turtle Island and around the world to build relationships, share knowledge, and create new opportunities.
Through music showcases, panel discussions, keynote conversations, professional development sessions, networking events, and cultural experiences, IIMS celebrates the richness and diversity of Indigenous music while fostering collaboration, strengthening the global Indigenous music community, and supporting the next generation of Indigenous artists and industry leaders.
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Anyone is welcome to attend IIMS as a delegate. While the Summit is Indigenous-led and centred on Indigenous voices, perspectives, and experiences, everyone is welcome to participate with openness, curiosity, and respect. We encourage professionals from all corners of the music industry and beyond to attend.
All showcasing artists and groups are Indigenous. -
You do not have to be Indigenous to attend the Summit as a delegate. You must be Indigenous to showcase.
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Since 2023 IIMS has taken place in Toronto, Canada. In 2027 we will be returning to Toronto from May 31st - June 4th 2027.
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IIMS is more than a music conference, it's a gathering rooted in community, culture, and connection.
The week begins with an Opening Ceremony and Feast, followed by our Opening Night Reception and Gala. From there, delegates experience several days of inspiring panel and roundtable discussions, workshops, Elder teachings, networking opportunities, and an average of 10–12 live music showcases each day/night featuring Indigenous artists from across Turtle Island and around the world.
A light breakfast and lunch are provided daily, creating additional opportunities to gather, connect, and continue conversations throughout the Summit.
What makes IIMS truly unique are the connections people make. Artists, delegates, speakers, and industry professionals don't just attend sessions, they build genuine relationships. The Summit is designed to foster meaningful connections that continue long after the week is over.
Come prepared to learn, share, celebrate, and become part of a growing international community dedicated to advancing Indigenous music.
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Artists, managers, labels, agents, presenters, festivals, funders, media, students, etc. We encourage professionals from all corners of the music industry and beyond to attend, both Indigenous and non Indigenous.
We also encourage music lovers to attend all public showcases! -
Please email info@indigenousmusicsummit.com. We are always in need of volunteers!
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Showcasing artists are responsible for all travel and accommodation costs. There are several opportunities for travel funding available, including the Canada Council for the Arts, FACTOR, SOCAN Foundation, and possibly your provincial or territorial music export/funding body. Please take the time to review your funding options and let us know if you need any support.
General
Eligibility
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Showcase applications are open to Indigenous artists and groups from around the world.
Applicants must identify as Indigenous and demonstrate a cultural connection and relationship to their Nation/territory/community. In the spirit of community care and respect, and our accountability to one another in this space, IIMS also asks applicants to provide two Indigenous community references that recognize that the applicant’s family lineage is linked to a specific Nation. IIMS welcomes applications representing the rich diversity of Indigenous cultures, languages, musical traditions and experiences from around the world. For example we have welcomed artists from : Turtle Island, Aotearoa, so-called Australia, Sapmi, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, and many others.
Whether you're an emerging artist or an established act, we encourage you to apply if you're ready to share your music, connect with the international music community, and engage in the collaborative spirit of the Summit.
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Showcase applications for IIMS 2027 opened on August 9th, 2026 and will run until September 7th, 2026.
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Showcasing artists are selected through a fair, transparent, and Indigenous-led jury process.
Applications are reviewed by multiple independent juries representing different Indigenous regions and communities around the world. Each jury is made up entirely of Indigenous music professionals, artists, and cultural leaders with knowledge of their respective regions.
Using a standardized evaluation framework, jury members independently score each application. The highest-ranked artists from across all juries are then shortlisted for consideration.
Because our communities are often close-knit, we recognize that conflicts of interest can arise. When a jury member has a personal or professional connection to an applicant, they recuse themselves from evaluating that application to ensure the integrity of the process.
To maintain independence, no members of the International Indigenous Music Summit staff or Board of Directors participate in the showcase juries or influence the scoring process.
Our goal is to present an exceptional and diverse program that reflects the breadth of Indigenous music, cultures, languages, and artistic excellence from around the world.
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Absolutely! The International Indigenous Music Summit was founded to connect Indigenous artists and music professionals from around the world, and we warmly encourage applications from global Indigenous artists, groups, and communities.
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Between 40 and 50 artists or groups are selected to showcase at IIMS each year.
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Yes. IIMS offers a modest honorarium to official showcasing artists and groups.
While the honorarium is not intended to cover all costs associated with participating in the Summit, it is offered in recognition of the artists’ time, talent, and contribution to the gathering. We continue to seek partnerships and resources that allow us to better support showcasing artists each year.
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Artists/groups are eligible to showcase up to two years in a row. Please note that the jury may give preference to artists who have not yet showcased at IIMS, so please consider explaining in your application how this showcase would be different (i.e., new format, new project, etc.).
Showcases
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Registration for the International Indigenous Music Summit will open in early 2027 through the IIMS website.
There will be early bird pricing, and we recommend registering early, as some events and networking opportunities have limited capacity.
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A full delegate pass includes access to all International Indigenous Music Summit programming, workshops, panel discussions, networking events, music showcases, daily light breakfasts, lunches, and transportation on official IIMS shuttle buses between Summit venues.
Please note that some sessions during the Summit are reserved exclusively for Indigenous attendees. We respectfully ask that only Indigenous delegates participate in these gatherings, allowing space for conversations intended specifically for Indigenous community members.
Registration
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IIMS offers a dynamic mix of cultural programming, professional development, and networking opportunities designed to inspire, educate, and connect delegates.
Throughout the week, you can expect an Opening Ceremony led by Elders and Knowledge Keepers, a Community Feast, the Opening Night Gala, Elder teachings, keynote presentations, music industry panel discussions, workshops, networking sessions, and live music showcases featuring Indigenous artists from around the world.
Our industry programming explores topics relevant to today's music ecosystem and the unique experiences of Indigenous artists and professionals. Sessions may include topics such as:
Music publishing and royalties
Touring and export opportunities
Artist management and career development
Marketing, branding, and digital strategy
Sync licensing for film, television, and games
Festival booking and showcasing
Funding opportunities and grant writing
Building sustainable careers in music
Indigenous rights, cultural protocols, and intellectual property
International market development
Wellness, balance, and longevity in the music industry
Programming evolves each year to reflect current trends, opportunities, and the needs of our global Indigenous music community.
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Building meaningful relationships is at the heart of the International Indigenous Music Summit.
Throughout the week, you'll have opportunities to connect through formal networking events, B2B meetings, pitch sessions, receptions, shared meals, and music showcases. Just as importantly, some of the most valuable conversations happen organically, on the shuttle bus between venues, over breakfast, in the hallway between sessions, or while discovering a new artist together.
IIMS has earned a reputation for fostering genuine relationships that extend far beyond the Summit. Whether you're looking to meet future collaborators, industry partners, presenters, or new friends, you'll become part of a welcoming community where connections are made naturally and often lead to opportunities long after the event has ended.
Programming
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Yes! We welcome delegates from around the world.
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Yes. IIMS can provide invitation letters for registered delegates who require documentation to support a visa application.
To request an invitation letter, please contact our team at info@indigenousmusicsummit.com. We encourage international delegates to reach out as early as possible to allow enough time for visa processing and travel planning.
International
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We are always looking to welcome new sponsors, partners, and collaborators into the IIMS family.
The International Indigenous Music Summit is made possible through the generous support of our funders, sponsors, and partners. Their investment helps us create meaningful opportunities for Indigenous artists and music professionals while ensuring the Summit continues to grow and thrive year after year.
If your organization shares our commitment to advancing Indigenous music, fostering cultural exchange, and building meaningful relationships, we'd love to hear from you. Together, we can create lasting impact for Indigenous artists and communities around the world.
To learn more about sponsorship and partnership opportunities, please contact us at info@indigenousmusicsummit.com.Yes! We welcome delegates from around the world.
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Please email info@indigenousmusicsummit.com. We are always in need of volunteers!
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The best way to stay up to date on all things IIMS is to join our mailing list.
Subscribe to receive announcements about Summit dates, showcase applications, registration, artist lineups, special events, partnership opportunities, and other news throughout the year.