(Rebecca Strong)

By Nigel Maxwell

`Indigenous arts

Canada’s Got Talent winner recognized as trail blazer

Oct 15, 2024 | 2:14 PM

It’s been quite the year for Rebecca Strong.

Nearly five months after winning Canada’s Got Talent, the singer from Stony Rapids has received a prestigious award that recognizes artists who trail-blaze and paves the way for future Indigenous performers.

On Saturday night, Strong was at the Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Association awards gala and received the William Ahenakew award.

“To win a lifetime achievement award at such a young age is something that I will hold with such honour for the rest of my life. I am so grateful that I have been gifted to be the role model for our future generations and show them that you can do anything,” Strong said in a Facebook post. “A year ago I was just a local girl doing local shows, and it feels like with a snap of a finger, I’m here. I’m here achieving the things I’ve worked so hard for.”

The awards gala was held at the EA Rawlinson Centre. Other award winners included Julianna Parenteau who took home both the Youth Award and Female Artist of the Year.

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Nigel Bell won Emerging Artist of the Year and Group of the Year.

“Winning these music awards means the world to me. It’s not just about personal achievement it’s about the deep connection between my music, my culture, and the stories that need to be told,” he told paNOW.

Nigel Bell holds up his two awards. (Facebook)

J.J. Lavallee also took home two awards for Instrumentalist of the Year and Country/Roots Artist or Group of the Year. In a statement posted to social media, he thanked the Association for creating a safe place for indigenous artists us to flourish without discrimination.

“If you’re an Indigenous artist, than I highly encourage you to see your time has come. Your dreams are at your fingertips,” he said.

Other award winners:

Pow Wow Drum Group of the Year: Cree Canaries

Song of the Year: Sëdézë – “Earthside”

Indigenous Language Recording of the Year: Leonard Adam “Grandparents”

Gospel Recording of the Year: Sundance Brass

Rock/Heavy Metal/Blues Artist or Group of the Year: Lancelot Knight Rap/Hip Hop/Electronic Artist or

Male Artist of the Year: Dakota Favel

Fan’s Choice Award: Sëdézë

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell