Schedule

Ceremony

Welcoming Ceremony & Feast

Presented by the National Indigenous Music Office

10:00am Shuttle pick up at The Chelsea Hotel lobby (33 Gerrard Street West, Toronto).

10:30am Shuttle bus departs.

11:00am Ceremony starts.

The centre of our gathering is ceremony. We open the Summit space in a traditional way by lighting a sacred fire and enjoying a traditional feast to honour our ancestors past, present, and future, and to welcome people into the space in that spirit, for the gathering.

Chef Johl from NISH DISH will lead us in a discussion about food sovereignty, the importance of eating our traditional foods and sharing a meal together.

Delegate Badge Pickup

Delegate Badge Pickup

Make sure to drop by and pick up your offiical IIMS 2023 Badge in order to attend the Summit.

Reception

Opening Night Reception

Calling all IIMS 2023 delegates: you are invited to a very special, delegates-only reception in advance of the Opening Night Gala!

From 6-7pm, we will enjoy a variety of delicious passed hors d'oeuvres and beverages, and our first chance to all connect and gather together in the TD Music Hall. Chi miigwetch to our presenting partner, CIMA for helping to make this event possible!

Delegate badge pick-up for IIMS 2023 will begin on May 31st at 4:00pm at the Massey Hall Box Office - pick up your delegate badge early to avoid lineups at the reception.

In Partnership with:

Opening Night Gala

Join us in our opening night Gala on May 31st, as we shine a spotight some of our most accomplished artists.

Featuring:

• Maimouna Youssef AKA Mumu Fresh
• Elisapie
• Sebastian Gaskin
• Richard Scott-Moore
• Duke Redbird
• The Eagleheart Drummers and Singers

The Gala will welcome and invite Elders, dignitaries from the Indigenous community, as well as mainstream community and political leadership, and will help to facilitate connections and relationship building, and honour the significant and critical work taking place in the Indigenous music community.

BUY GALA TICKETS HERE

In Partnership with:

Maimouna Youssef AKA Mumu Fresh

Elisapie

Sebastian Gaskin

Duke Redbird

Goombine

Eagleheart Drummers and Singers

Michaella Montana Host

Delegate Badge Pickup

Delegate Badge Pickup

Make sure to drop by and pick up your offiical IIMS 2023 Badge in order to attend the Summit.

Summit

All Our Relations

Calling all our Indigenous friends and relatives for a sharing circle to  dicuss the things that are most important to us in the Indigenous music community, where we are now, and a vision where we want to go together in the future.Coffee, tea and a light breakfast will be provided.*Indigenous delegates only.

Discussion

Collaborators and Co-Conspirators

Share and discuss the most critical challenges and successes within building strong relations with Indigenous communities and chart a path forward, towards solutions and best practices.

Moderators:

Rachel Barreca

Aengus Finnan

Rachel Barreca

Aengus Finnnan

Keynote

Keynote: Generations Strong

Keynote with Alfredo Caxaj and Sara Curruchich. Translated by Jorge Requena Ramos

Alfredo Caxaj

Sara Curruchich

Workshop

Taking it to the Street: You made a beautiful record... now what?

In today’s digital age, the complex, multifaceted role of the artist is growing at a rapid pace. Artists are increasingly required to wear all of the entrepreneurial hats, from marketing and developing EPKs, to creating TikTok content and managing taxes - all while maintaining their craft.

In this interactive workshop, we will hear tips and tricks from community leaders about building tools, accessing resources, and growing your career sustainably.

In Partnership with:

Andreas Mendoza Vice President of CARAS

Jorge Requena Ramos Executive Director of WECC

Tao-Ming Lau

Rosalyn Dennett

Sarah Burke Moderator

Matt Maw

Showcase

International Spotlight: Southern Turtle Island

Featuring:
 

• Thea Hopkins
• Sihasin
• Olivia Komahcheet

In Partnership with:

Thea Hopkins

Sihasin

Olivia Komahcheet

Ila Barker Host

Showcase

Official Showcase: TD Music Hall

Already registered? This show is included in with your registration. 

Can't attend the full Summit? Buy Tickets to this show HERE!

Featuring:

• Ila Barker
• Caley Watts
• Andrina Turenne
• Garret T. Willie

Ila Barker

Caley Watts

Andrina Turenne

Garret T. Willie

Julian Taylor Host

Official Showcase: The Rivoli

Already registered? Access to this show is included in your registration.

Can't attend the whole Summit but want to see this show? A limited number of tickets will be available at the door, $25 cash only.

Doors open 10:00pm

Show start 10:30pm

Featuring:

• Zoey Roy
• Wolf Castle
• Drezus

Zoey Roy

Wolf Castle

Drezus

Shaneen Robinson Host

Delegate Badge Pickup

Delegate Badge Pickup

Make sure to drop by and pick up your offiical IIMS 2023 Badge in order to attend the Summit. 

Teaching

Elder Teaching

Elder teaching with Banakonda Kennedy-Kish Bell

Banakonda Kennedy-Kish Bell

Panel

Art as an Act of Survival

Indigenous artists, leaders, and change makers are creating some of the most significant, trailblazing music in the world. Compelled to create and communicate messages of resistance, self-determination, and critical narratives from within the Indigenous music community, Indigenous artists often find their safety at risk when they step on stage - and at far greater risk than those operating within the mainstream space.

This panel discussion will explore some of the diverse, cutting edge art emerging from within the Indigenous music community, as well as shared experiences surrounding the heightened risk Indigenous artists face when taking the stage.

In Partnership with:

Ange Loft

Mario Tuki

Quanah Style

Susan Aglukark

Clayson Benally

Panel

Rematriating Music Spaces: Aunties Council

Calling All Aunties (and Uncles too): The Aunties Council is back!

Our Aunties are the givers of life, keeping this truth in mind we invite you to listen as they discuss the rematriation of music. As every spirit journeys into the physical, the first music we hear as babies is from our mother’s heartbeat. Music is mishkiki (medicine). The Aunties Council will share their perspectives on how this mishkiki can strengthen our connection to our First Mother so we can celebrate life as ceremony. Skoden!

Banakonda Kennedy-Kish Bell

Louis Lahache

Hinurewa te Hau

Cynthia Lickers-Sage

Leela Gilday

Meeka Morgan

Veronica Johnny

Jeneda Benally

Workshop

Forging Change - Mainstream Cultural Competencies

Systemic barriers, racism, and colonial structures continue to prevent the Indigenous music community's full participation in the mainstream music industry. What are some of the ways in which allies can become co-conspirators, and how must this translate into industry action with regard to protocols, contractual language, cultural riders, and beyond?

In Partnership with:

Alan Greyeyes

Cynthia Lickers-Sage

Denise Bolduc

Marek Tyler

Showcase

International Spotlight: Songs of the Quetzal

Presented by Sunfest.

Featuring: 

• Sara Curruchich
• Banda La Tribu

In Partnership with:

Sara Curruchich

Banda La Tribu

Alfredo Caxaj Host

Mercedes Caxaj Host

Indigenous Presenters Network Meeting

Private Meeting

Showcase

Official Showcase: TD Music Hall

Already registered? This show is included in with your registration.

Can't attend the whole Summit but want to see this show? BUY TICKETS TO THIS SHOW here!

Doors: 7:00pm
Show Start: 7:30pm

Featuring:

• Lacey Hill
• Phyllis Sinclair
• Beatrice Deer Band
• Curtis Clearsky and the Constellationz

In Partnership with:

Lacey Hill

Beatrice Deer Band

Curtis Clearsky and the Constellationz

Phyllis Sinclair

Shaneen Robinson Host

Showcase

Official Showcase: IIMS PRIDE Party

Already registered? Access to this show is included in your registration.

Can't attend the whole Summit but want to see this show? A limited number of tickets will be available at the door, $25 cash only.

Doors: 10:00PM
Show Start: 10:30pm

Featuring:

• NIMKISH
• Quanah Style
• Chelazon Leroux from Season 3 of Canada's Drag Race

Chelazon Leroux

Quanah Style

NIMKISH

Shawnee Kish Host

Jen Kish Host

Delegate Badge Pickup

Delegate Badge Pickup

Make sure to drop by and pick up your offiical IIMS 2023 Badge in order to attend the Summit. 

Teaching

Elder Teaching

Elder teaching with Duke Redbird.

Duke Redbird

Plenary

Plenary

All delegates welcome. Join us as we discuss topics and themes raised at the "All Our Relations" and "Co-Collaborators and Co-Conspirators" sessions. 

Panel

Trailblazers

Our IIMS 2023 theme, “Generations Strong” speaks to the importance of acknowledging the innovations, brilliance, and creativity of the 7 generations before, and the promise of the 7 generations yet to come. In this panel, we will lift up these incredible leaders in the Indigenous-owned music industry, and the work they are carrying forward to pass on to the next generation - laying the groundwork for our future.

Denise Bolduc

Phyllis Sinclair

Sandy Scofield

Drezus

Panel

Funders Information Session

Noel Habel Canada Council for the Arts

Jessica Deljouravesh Ontario Arts Council

Mizzy Mejia Creative BC

David Barnard Department of Canadian Heritage

Noah Gruneir Ontario Creates

Showcase

International Spotlight: Condor Meets the Eagle

Presented by Fluvial.

Featuring:

• Beny Esguerra and New Tradition Music
• Islena Antumalen

In Partnership with:

Islena Antumalen

New Tradition Music

Marcelo Godoy Host

Reception

Mundial Montréal Mixer : Armenian cuisine & networking in collaboration with the Bureau du Québec à Toronto

Mundial Montreal and the Bureau du Quebec a Toronto invites you to Oud & the Fuzz for a cocktail where you will have the chance to network with members of the Quebec music industry.

After the reception we will head back to TD Music Hall for showcases and then over to tbe TRANZAC for Classic Roots, QuiQue Escamilla and Shauit.

RSVP HERE!
 

In Partnership with:

Showcase

Official Showcases: TD Music Hall

Already registered? This show is included in with your registration.

Can't attend the whole Summit but want to see this show? BUY TICKETS TO THIS SHOW

Doors: 7:00pm
Show Start: 7:30pm

Featuring:

• NIMKII and the NINIIS
• Tia Wood
• Sechile Sedare
• Miesha and the Spanks

NIMKII and the NINIIS

Tia Wood

Sechile Sedare

Miesha and the Spanks

Showcase

Official Showcases: Tranzac Club

Already registered? Access to this show is included in your registration.

Can't attend the whole Summit but want to see this show? A limited number of tickets will be available at the door, $25 cash only.

Presented by Mundial Montréal and the Bureau du Québec à Toronto.

Doors: 10:00pm
Show Start: 10:30pm

Hosted by Tamar Ilana

Featuring:

• Shauit
• Quique Escamilla
• Classic Roots 

In Partnership with:

Shauit

Quique Escamilla

Classic Roots

Delegate Badge Pickup

Delegate Badge Pickup

Make sure to drop by and pick up your offiical IIMS 2023 Badge in order to attend the Summit. 

Teaching

Elder Teaching

Elder teachinng with Louise Lahache.

Louise Lahache

Panel

Confluence: A Discussion of the Diversity of Indigenous Identity and Belonging

Inequality and exclusion is not experienced uniformly across communities, and these issues are often compounded for Indigenous people with intersecting identities. Colonial violence and division continues to impact our communities, and it has become even more urgent to respect, make space, celebrate, and amplify the multitude of voices within the Indigenous community - and the wondrous variety of worldviews, teachings, and lived experiences that make us beautiful, whole, strong, and diverse as a community.

In this panel we bring together thinkers and members of these communities to discuss tangible steps we must all take to truly forge bonds between our communities.

Keziah Myers

Maimouna Youssef

Cris Derksen

Nigel Pahl

Panel

Sustaining Climate Activism and Resilience

Indigenous artists, activists, and land defenders around the world continue to be on the front lines of environmental issues, raising awareness of the devastating impacts and rising threats of climate change. How do we support the growth of Indigenous arts spaces and reimagine our best selves in the work moving forward? In this post-pandemic reality, let’s look to Indigenous leadership to chart a path forward towards a more sustainable future.

In Partnership with:

Leela Gilday

Logan Staats

Neil Morris (DRMNGNOW)

Vai a Tare Paoa

Workshop

Production & Songwriting

A practical discussion about tricks and tools of the trade with leaders in this space. Let’s inspire each other with the good work that’s happening in our community, and pick up some tools to take with us! Topics will include honing our crafts, making connections, navigating fees and copyright, building toolkits, finding support in community, and much more!

Lunch will be provided at the venue.

In Partnership with:

Raven Kanatakta Polson-Lahache

Hill Kourkoutis

Sebastian Gaskin

Derek Hoffman

Indigenous Radio Networking Session

Private Meeting

Showcase

International Spotlight: Oceania

Presented by Matariki Cultural Foundation and BLAK Social.

Featuring:

• Huia
• DRMNGNOW
• IA

Huia

DRMNGNOW

IA

Hinurewa te Hau Moderator

Showcase

Ishkode Records & Friends Closing Night Reception

Already registered? This show is included in with your registration.

Unable to attend the whole Summit? BUY TICKETS TO THIS SHOW

Doors: 7:30pm
Show: 8:00pm

Featuring:

• Amanda Rheaume
• Aysanabee
• Digging Roots
• OMBIIGIZI
• Sebastian Gaskin

In Partnership with:

Amanda Rheaume

Digging Roots

Sebastian Gaskin

OMBIIGIZI

Aysanabee

Dave McLeod Host