By Will McGuirk

Aysanabee and Snotty Nose Rez Kids are among the nominees for the 2023 Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards (SSIMAs). Aysanabee leads with six nominations and the Kids have five.

Presented by TD Bank the National Indigenous Music Awards Show will take place at The National Arts Centre in Ottawa Tuesday, June 6th, 2023.

The SSIMAs span 16 categories, celebrating solo artists, duos and groups from across Canada as well as showcasing the diverse music and culture within the Indigenous community. Nominees were selected from 250 Canada-wide submissions by an invited panel of jurors comprising Indigenous and music industry professionals.

“Presenting and promoting Indigenous music is a cornerstone of our Festival," says Trina Mather Simard, CEO and Producer of Ottawa’s Summer Solstice Festival which runs June 21 - 25. “We’re celebrating Indigenous voices” adds Advisory Committee Chair Elaine Bomberry, adding “These Awards, in Canada’s capital city, provide an excellent platform for artists to be recognized for their hard work”.

The award ceremony will be hosted by Anishinaabe activist, broadcaster and content creator Sarain Fox. Performers have yet to be announced. Tickets are on sale Friday May 19th at 10AM, starting at $20.00 (including tax plus fees).

This SSIMAs presentation kicks off Indigenous History Month and is a prelude to the Annual Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival (SSIF), June 21st-25th at Madahoki Farm in Ottawa. The free festival coincides with National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) on June 21.