OHSOTO’KINO program wrapped up with public performance at the King Eddy downtown Calgary

OHSOTO’KINO (OH-SO-TOE-KEY-NO) is a Blackfoot phrase which means ‘to recognize a voice of’ and is a five-day incubator that pairs a set number of Indigenous artists from across Canada to come to Calgary Alberta which is home to the National Music Centre (NMC) and learn from industry professionals to help them grow as artists.

For the second year, the Indigenous artists incubator program OHSOTO’KINO was held at Studio Bell which is home of the National Music Centre and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

The program designed to help artists produce new music, develop their skills, and help them become more powerful story tellers.

The NMC brings in established artists in the Indigenous community to mentor many of the artists finds their own voice during the incubator.

On the fourth day of the incubator a public showcase takes place at the King Eddy in downtown Calgary next door to the NMC.

One of the mentors Desiree Dorion shared with CJWE Drive Show Host Uncle Trent about her role as a mentor during the incubator.

 

This year’s line up of artists include: Dakelh Dene and Secwepemc audio engineer, and preforming artist from the Saik’uz First Nation in British Columbia Dani Lion, Anishinaabe singer-songwriter from Lake Manitoba Frannie Klein, prairie-pop singer-songwriter from Big River First Nation L.J. Tyson, and Alberta Métis electro-pop artist from Edmonton Robin Cisek.

Windspeaker Media spoke with each of the artists to hear about their excitement the program and what they are hoping to take away from their time at the National Music Centre.

 

 

 

 

 

The final day of the program was a cretic session with the mentors based on the participants performances at the King Eddy.

Indigenous artists wishing to take part in next years OHSOTO’KINO program can apply through the NMC’s website.

See photos from the King Eddy below: