2-Spirit Ball & Music Showcase

The Bannock Babes are a collective of Indigenous Drag artists in Winnipeg, Manitoba., which is located on Treaty One territory.  Their first event was March 15, 2019 and since then have become a very popular troupe that have garnered the attention of Queen Buffy Ste.Marie following their tribute to the Oscar winning artist.  They’ve helped raise funds for several local charities including the 2 Spirit Pow Wow.  They have performed for the  No Stone Unturned concert in support of MMIW.  The Bannock Babes participated in Read By Queens at the Winnipeg Art Gallery during the Kent Monkman exhibit then months later were invited to be part of a mural unveiling by artist Peatr Thomas that was painted with the collaboration of Synonym Art Consultation on an outdoor basketball court in St.Boniface.  

The Bannock Babes rung in the new year in a virtual Countdown collaborated with QPOC (Queer People of Color) . In 2021 during this worldwide pandemic the Bannock Babes have taken to social media for their adoring fans. They have participated in a piece which was published for the Canada Arts Magazine and also were asked to view the Born in Power Art Exhibit & share their opinions which will be on the Winnipeg Art Gallery website shortly.  Also forthcoming is a CBC News story that was recently recorded.  You may not see them making bannock, but these babes who come from 3 different provinces originally are hard to forget.

IG: @thebannockbabes 

Dioganhdih is a Two-Spirit, Haudenosaunee-Akwesasne Mohawk Nation, beat producer hiphop artist and educator.  Since Standing Rock, Dio has focused their energy and art towards working with first nations youth and supporting frontline work in indigenous communities across Turtle Island. 

In 2021, Dio self released their LP, Rezbien. They are currently engaged in advocacy work on first-nation territories with their collective, Turtle Island Apothecary.  Dio is also farming, tending a herb garden and developing an LGBTQIA Haudenosaunee coalition.

Dio's art speaks on topics and lived experiences, of navigating Indigenous sovereignty, the land back movement, ongoing rematriation, decolonization, food sovereignty, and the intersections of two-spirit and LGBTQAI identity. Dioganhdih’s music has been reviewed in The Fader, CBC Music, Afropunk, BitchMedia, APTN’s Digital Drum.

https://soundcloud.com/dio

IG & FB: @dioganhdih

Unwinding Collective - An Ottawa collective of artist guided by Erik Alvaro to unwind from daily life. Unique Narratives With Intention Never Derail.   The collective is dedicated to using the  dance form of Punk,Pose,W^ack-ing to self express and honour the history and heritage of the elders and pioneers that developed this art form. 

Quanah Style is Canada’s most infamous two-spirit trans artist. Hailing from the cree nation. Star of "Quanah TransOp" on wow presents and season 2 of “Canada's a Drag” on CBC.  She recently shot her first feature film role in a movie called “Broken Angel,” and is in production on a few new TV projects slated for later this year.  

One part fearless ClubKid and another part powerhouse entertainer. Ms. Style has blazed a train from coast to coast. From Vancouver to Toronto & LA. She has garnered attention and there are few dance floors who haven't felt her presence. From her outfits and makeup, to her music and show stopping performances, Quanah has proven she is a force to be reckoned with as a groundbreaking artist. Her debut album was listed as Billboard’s top 10 dance albums of 2020.  She has opened for Snotty nose rez kids, Hallucination, Peaches, Buffy St.Marie, Bif Naked and more+

https://wettrax.bandcamp.com/album/quanah-style

IG & FB: quanahstyle

Ojibwave began in November 2020, they are a musical group consisting of Joanna Burt (non-status First Nations Anishinaabe) and JT Rivera (Filipino Canadian). Through their music, they aim to share their feelings with the world, with the hopes of making it a better place.  As Joanna is First Nations, a lot of the messages behind our music are reflected in the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Beyond lyrical content, Ojibwave sets out to create music that speaks to

them, looking to their respective cultures for inspiration. Their latest single that they are working on, titled "Warrior" combines traditional pow wow singing with synthwave and metal undertones. Our goal is to continue blurring the line between these genres to create art that is not only unique, but powerful. 

Ojibwave’s most important goal is to drive positive social change through their music. Their most recent single "Belong" is about gaslighting racism, and how they feel as oppressed individuals in today’s society. Racism is a constant that deeply upsets them and having the will to fight and endure is important above all. With every message they share, they wish to project our positive outlook, while addressing the darkness that lies within all people.

https://soundcloud.com/ojibwave

IG: ojibwaveofficial

FB: ojibwave

Ziibiwan (they/them) is Anishinaabe from Wikwemikoong, and based in Tkaronto (Toronto).  An electronic music producer with a no-holds barred approach to production. Their music is an expansive vision of cyclical temporalities and inner explorations rooted in Indigenous consciousness.  Their etheral sonics open into deeply hypnotic spaces, where land, sky and deep sea meet. 

https://ziibiwan.bandcamp.com/album/time-limits-ep

IG & FB: ziibiwan

Dayna Danger is a 2Spirit, Métis–Anishinaabe (Saulteaux)–Polish, hard femme who was raised in Treaty 1 territory, homeland of the Metis. As a visual artist, activist and drummer, her focus remains on Indigenous visual and erotic sovereignty and uplifting 2Spirit, trans and non-binary kin.

Nico Williams, ᐅᑌᒥᐣ (b. 1989) is Anishinaabe and member of Aamjiwnaang First Nation community. He is currently working in Tiohtià:ke | Mooniyang | Montréal. He has a multidisciplinary, often collaborative practice that is centered around sculptural beadwork. 

Janelle Niles is a Black - Mi’kmaq woman from Sipekne'katik, Nova Scotia. She launched her comedy career in January 2019 in Ottawa, ON. Exploding in the nation's capital with her indigenous comedy show Got Land? Janelle aims to communicate solidarity through humour and laughter. Her dream is to perform for Just For Laughs in Montreal and one day tour Turtle Island. You can catch her on CBC Gem’s New Wave Of Stand-up Season 2, she has also performed with the Arctic Comedy Festival in Iqaluit, Nunavut alongside her peers. appeared on APTN’s Indigenous Day Live 2022 on Lumi.  Janelle’s humour is described as eccentric and captivating.

IG: @janelle.niles

FB: Niles.janelle

gotlandcomedy.com

Mel Lefebvre is a métis, nehiyaw, nakota, saulteaux, french, and irish mother, community worker, researcher, writer, visual artist, traditional tattoo practitioner and phd student at concordia university focused on healing, decolonization, and (re)connection for Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ and Indigenous women. working closely with the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, mel is vice president of the board, advocating for the safety of Indigenous people as well as Indigenous representation, education, and employment.

Sheri Osden Nault is a Métis visual artist, community activist, and educator. They work across mediums including sculpture, performance, beading, Indigenous tattoo revival, and more. Their work speaks to their experiences as Métis and queer, while focused on human and non-human relationships in a multitude of ways. They use their platform and art practice to share knowledges and medicines, and to support Two-Spirit youth when they are able.  Through their work, they strive to build towards and acknowledge a future rich in kinship sensibilities, Two-Spirit wisdom, traditional and contemporary Indigenous art forms, and intersectional commitments of care and responsibility.