Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards - A Night of Artists, Community and Support

I attended the Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards (APCMA's) for the first time last night when I found out last minute that a friend had a few extra tickets to share, it was an impulse decision I do not regret. 

The live televised event was hosted at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg. While some moments of applause were cued for the sake of the audiences at home, the enthusiasm fuelling it was genuine. The exuberant cheers and whistles seemed to me to a message to the talent that would have said, "We love what you're doing, we're here to support you."

Inez Jasper
Image credit: Karolina Turek

I was delighted to see contemporary acts such as singer and entrepreneur Iceis Rain performing her empowering and addictive rock song “The Queen” and pop artist Inez Jasper who brought "Dancin' on the Run" to the stage with choreographed back up dancers to accompany.

Manitoba Premiere Greg Selinger introduced the award for Aboriginal Entertainer of the Year. I'd like to say thank you, Mr. Selinger for taking such an upstanding role in the event and supporting our indigenous artists. 

In attendance were artists from as far south as Ecuador and as far north as Russia on the other side of the meridian. Local talent was also abound, the stadium seats spotted with Manitoba Indigenous celebrities and political figures.

My favourite part about the Indigenous community is that success loves to breed success. An indigenous artist who performs on stage with massive sound equipment, studio lights, a live broadcast team and a roaring audience, may be your friend’s cousin, uncle, sister or even a once shy high school classmate. On the edge of your social and family network you hear of a rising star, one who might smile at you in a crowd or even dance with you for a moment at the party after the concert, it reminds you that these local celebrities are people you might walk past any day on the street. Realizing this tears down the wall that divides you from making your own personal success story a reality as well. These celebrity figures are real people too. 

I want to see the continued success of indigenous art and to carry on the mutual support I've seen shared with one another. It was support like this that Leonard Sumner, the winner of APCMA's Best New Artist for 2014, recalled during his after party performance hosted at The Pyramid Cabaret. The crowd exploded upon hearing his name on the list of nominees for Best Folk/Acoustic CD, even though he didn't win the category, he said the moment made it, "one of the most memorable nights of my life."

Leonard Sumner - Image credit: http://rezpoetry.com/

Dancin' on the Run Official Music Video: