Sto:lo Strong INEZ sweeps Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards
Pop sensation Inez swept the 2009 Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards on Friday night in Winnipeg Manitoba. Facing stiff competition from outstanding aboriginal artists across North America, the impressive number of wins confirms what many already felt – she’s an artist on the rise – big time.
Inez took home the trophy for Best Album Cover, Pop Album of the Year, Best New Artist and Single of theYear for her hit song Breathe beating out legendary artists such as Buffy St. Marie in the process.
Winning four awards is something few other artists have accomplished at the APCMAs. The victories place Inez in an elite category of artist; an honor shared with other well- known aboriginal artists such as Crystal Shawanda who swept the awards last year.
A highlight of the evening came when Inez was presented with Single of the Year. Inez brought her 9 month old son Zane to the podium with her. “It was completely natural for me to bring him with me to accept the award” states Inez. “He travels everywhere with me.”
During her acceptance speech Inez acknowledged the challenges moms face when balancing work and career and encouraged women to follow their dreams. Her husband and mother, who serve double duty as baby sitters while Inez is thrilling audiences on stage, were in the audience to cheer her on.
These wins build on an already impressive string of nominations and victories for the Chilliwack local. She already picked up a nomination at the Western Canadian Music Awards this year, won the $10,000 top prize at the National Aboriginal Day Talent show in Ottawa in 2008 alongside being recognized as a National Aboriginal Role Model in 2008.
Inez is an artist to watch.
Media Inquiries
Ry Moran Manager, Inez YellowTilt Productions Victoria 250.516.5358 ry@yellowtilt.com
Beardy's First Nation - March 6, 2010
So I'm visiting my second home again, the Calgary airport waiting for my connection back to Vancouver.
I'm reflecting on my show in Beardy's and how awesome it was!
Beardy's put up a Youth Wellness Day and hosted:
Manik1derful & Hellnback
Lindsay WIllier - 2nd Runner up, Canada's Next Top Model
James Jones (So you think you can Dance)
DJ Hynx
Crown P
Conway Kootnay
DJ Creeasian
This show was off the HEEEZY!!! EVER LUCKY!!! I got to meet some new people and there's some great things happening in ndn country! Lots of good music and awesome people doing their thing!
Thanks to Bryce and all the other peeps from Beardy's for their hospitality. I hope to come back to Saskatoon and Beardy's again in the future!
Wikwemikong & Juno Nomination! - March 4, 2010
Late nites...long flights....
After a flight to Toronto, a connection to Sudbury and a 2.5 hour drive I arrived in Wikwemikong thanks to Sharlene :)
When I landed in Toronto, I turned my phone on and found out I was nominated for a JUNO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Since I was travelling along, you can just imagine how it just ate me up that I had nobody to celebrate the news with. So, the guy who sat next to me on my flight to Sudbury got to hear all about it. hahahha! Turns out he was a Police Officer coming home from working at the Olympics! He was excited to get home to visit his triplets. YIKES! Three at a time! That's intense....
Sharlene gave me the royal tour of the rez (even though it was dark) and I got a sense of how big this community really was! Wiki is a big place with lots of great things going on. I was feeling good about making the trip there to share my music...especially since since it's Steven "Magic Touch" Pitawanakwat's home community! I was really wishing he was able to travel out there with me! I got to meet many of his friends and family.
I stayed at a beautiful B&B named Medora's. I def. recommend staying there! The bed was AWESOME and Medora has a beautiful home. She also cooked me the most magical scrambled eggs I ever ate!
Today, I went to the high school to make my NARMP presentation and perform. It was so rad to chill with some of the youth and visit. I got to connect with some youth doing music....naomi girl...keep doing your thang!
RIght away, I went straight back to Sudbury to fly out to Saskatoon for another show at Beardy's First Nation.
Now I'm waiting to fly out and I can't get that Juno off my mind :)
Last Olympic Show: Aboriginal Pavilion - February 28, 2010
After my busiest tour schedule ever, I'm so happy to be home to get some R&R.
Last nite I performed at the Aboriginal Pavilion and I shared the stage with Beaver Thomas, Shakti Hayes and Jason Burnstick.
This wraps up the stretch of 14 consecutive shows in and around the Olympic events. This has been an amazing experience and opportunity for me to share my music on a larger stage and meet some of my fans!!!
This Wednesday I head out to Wiki and then over to Saskatoon for shows.
Maybe it's time to hit the studio again and work on another album ;)