Nigel Bell won two out of three awards he was nominated for on Sunday. (Facebook/Nigel Bell)

By Derek Cornet

Inaugural event

Bell big winner at Sask. Indigenous Music Awards

Nov 14, 2023 | 5:06 PM

It was a big night on Sunday for Nigel Bell, also known as Nige B, who walked away from the inaugural Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Awards with two accolades.

Bell, a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, claimed Instrumentalist of the Year and Rock/Heavy Metal/Rap Person of the Year. He won Instrumentalist of the Year for an EP called Chroma under the moniker Velcro Stories and Rock/Heavy Metal/Rap Person of the Year for the album U R What U R Vol. as Nige B.

Both projects were released by Bell in September.

“I was very shocked and honoured to be awarded the two awards back-to-back,” he said.

“It was a very special event. It was the first of its kind this year. I was honoured to be part of the first year. It was a powerful event and I was grateful to be there in attendance.”

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A total of 10 awards were handed out at the ceremony held at the EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts in Prince Albert. It began with a performance from award-winning Indigenous singer-songwriter Teagan Littlechief, who also presented the night’s first honour.

Other winners at the event included Jarrid Lee (Country/Roots Person or Group of the Year), Brindan (Emerging Artist of the Year 18 and under), Donny Corrigal (Fan’s Choice of the Year), Falynn Baptiste (Female Artist of the Year), Sundance and Sunshine Brass (Gospel Recording of the Year), JJ Lavallee (Male Artist of the Year), Shawn Adams (Song of the Year), and Lawrence Joseph (Willard Ahenakew Award).

Bell believes the Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Awards in a much-needed event in the province.

“It gives our people more of an outlet to have our music and art listened to and heard, so it was very needed and I look forward to the next year and the year after,” he said.

“I’m excited to keep watching it grow and grow into something more special than it is. For the first year, I was blown away by how well presented it was and all the work put in and all the amazing sponsors. It turned out to be really magnificent.”

Bell has also been nominated for Hip Hop Artist of the Year and Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year, as well as Best Saskatchewan Album of the Year for U R What U R Vol. 1 at the upcoming 2023 Saskatchewan Music Awards. That will be held Dec. 2 at Saskatoon’s Broadway Theatre.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com