(Submitted photo/EA Rawlinson Centre for The Arts)

By Derek Craddock

SASK MUSIC AWARD

Local woman named inaugural winner of Indigenous Music Achievement Award

Jan 21, 2022 | 4:00 PM

A Prince Albert woman said she’s still in shock after receiving a big honour at the Saskatchewan Music Awards.

Sheryl Kimbley works as an event coordinator with the Prince Albert Grand Council and has been a strong advocate for Indigenous youth and the arts for years.

Recently Kimbley was named the first-ever recipient of the Saskatchewan Music Award for Indigenous Music Achievement.

“It was quite a shock,” said Kimbley. “Obviously, it’s a brand-new thing, so I hadn’t heard of it before and really quite honoured and still kind of reeling.”

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The award recognizes excellence in demonstrating musical impact, leadership, innovation and community-building, creating a positive and lasting impact on the Indigenous music community.

Kimbley is a producer with Voices of the North, which prominently features annually at the Prince Albert Winter Festival, along with helping with the Northern Spirits program.

“Northern Spirits is a youth program that we do for our kids from the age of 12 to 18,” said Kimbley. “Voices of the North has been with the Winter Festival for 29 years.”

While she is grateful, she’s been honoured for her achievements, she acknowledges she can’t do it without the support of those around her.

“I believe, to do those kinds of things, I need a huge group of people that I love and trust and that’s what I have.”

This isn’t the first time Kimbley has received a major honour for her work. In 2016, she was named Prince Albert’s Best Citizen, has received a YWCA Women of Distinction Award, and last year was inducted into the Prince Albert Arts Hall of Fame along with the late Andree Felley-Martinson.

Right now, Kimbley is focused on continuing her work, adding being awarded for her efforts only pushes her more.

“Any time you get singled out and get some kind of award, it makes you want to work harder and continue the work and do better. So, I’m really going to keep connected and keep doing the things I do as long as I can.”

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @pa_craddock