b'MUSIC LABELSHITTINGTHERIGHT NOTEBy Oscar BakerA s I n d i g e n o u s m u s i c g a i n s m o m e n t u m i n t h e c o u n t r y s m u s i c s c e n e , h e r e s a l o o k a t t h e l a b e l s h e l p i n g m a k e t h a t h a p p e nT he Indigenous music industryand bringing their music to a broaderof Dakota Bear, from Treaty 6 Territory is making its mark in Canadalistening public. and now resident of Vancouver, and his asFirstNations,Inuitandfianc Casey Desjarlais, from Treaty 4 MtismusicianscontinuetoNEW LEAF ENTERTAINMENT and Treaty 6 territories. showcasetheirremarkableNew Leaf Entertainment is an indepen-talent. Asnotedina2019Impactdent, Indigenous-owned music labelThelabelfocusesonbroadening Study by APTN and NVision Insightbased out of Toronto, with additionalopportunities for Indigenous artists Group, the Indigenous music industryoffices in Edmonton and Rama Firstand it mentors up-and-upcoming talent contributednearly$78milliontoNation. The company was founded inon everything from recording music Canadas economy. And helping bring2005 by Doug Bedard, aka Plex, fromto navigating the challenging distri-the music of Indigenous voices to aEdmonton and Peguis First Nation, andbution process. It boasts a roster of broader public are a growing numberJason Delaronde, a light heavyweighttalented BIPOC artists that it works with, of savvy Indigenous record labels.boxer also from Edmonton.including Hayley Wallis, Psim Sb, Day Day, Eli Gosselin-Rattlesnake, TALON These labels may not be householdCommittedtobuildingtheconfi- and Doza. names, but not only are they helpingdence and amplifying the voices of Indigenous singers and songwritersIndigenous artists, New Leaf repre- RED MUSIC RISINGbuildsuccessfulcareers,theyresents a mix of talent, including Juno- Toronto-basedRedMusicRising providing them with the opportunitynominated country music singer Nathanlaunched in August 2020 in partner-to do so with people who understandCunningham, Indigenous Music Award- ship with APTN and operates as a full-the power and potential of their music.winning rapper Rellik, and Plex himself,service record label and artist manage-They are empowering Indigenous musi- who in 2023 took home the Songwriterment company. Owned and operated cians to build sustainable careers in aof the Year Award at the Internationalby a group of Indigenous professionals, tough industry while embracing theirIndigenous Hip Hop Awards. its mission is to help develop sustain-own cultural heritage.able, lifelong careers for Indigenous LAND BACK RECORDS musicians, singers and songwriters.Here is a snapshot of some of the keyLand Back Records is an Indigenous-Indigenous labels actively representingowned and operated label founded inThe director and lead artist manager Indigenous musicians in Canada today2022. The company is the brainchildat the company is Matt Maw from 64A CCIB PUBLICATIONFall 2024'