Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards

The Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards (SSIMA) will present awards representing a variety of music genres as well as awards for cultural contribution, significance, legacy, and social voice. The award show itself will be two hours in length including the presentation of awards to the winners, as well as live performances from finalists throughout the evening.

More information on the SSIMA Awards can be found here

Categories:

ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR

This category recognizes artists in the folk, roots and blues genres, who are creating music in either of these genres with traditional or contemporary instruments.

COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR

This category recognizes artists who have released an album in the country genre.

RAP / HIP HOP / ELECTRONICA ALBUM OF THE YEAR

This category recognizes artists who have released an album in the rap / hip hop / electronica genre.

HAND DRUM / FIDDLE / INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

This category recognizes the success in capturing cultural heritage and the love of traditional music and dance with the use of hand drums / fiddle / instruments.

INUIT ARTIST / GROUP OF THE YEAR

This category recognizes Inuit artists who use traditional languages, instruments or cultural influences in their music.

POW WOW TRADITIONAL / CONTEMPORARY OF THE YEAR

This category recognizes an album which captures the sounds and emotions of the Pow Wow.

ARTISTIC VIDEO

This category celebrates creative artistic values and expression through video. Both self-produced and professionally produced videos made available to the public will be eligible. You will need to attach your video to the registration form along with a word document including a brief outline of the videos production details, including the name(s) of the producers and details of where the video was produced. This award will go to the director, producer, or filmmaker of the video.

MUSIC IN THE ARTS

This category recognizes music showcased as an accompaniment to an art; theatre, exhibit, film, TV, performances, literature, video games. The award will go to the artist who released the music.

POP/ALTERNATIVE/ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Celebrating pop, alternative and rock music in all genre styles; including a fusion of traditional and contemporary music expression.

RECORDING ARTIST(S) OF THE YEAR

This category recognizes artists who have had an exceptional year supporting their latest release and have released a prominent full length album in any genre.

MUSICAL LEGACY AND CONTRIBUTION

This award recognizes artists who have impacted artistic and cultural heritage on behalf of the Indigenous community. Their contributions helped to influence and grow continued development in the Indigenous music industry. The winner of this category will be selected this year by the artistic advisory circle, however, will be open to nomination in the following years.

LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

This award highlights a career performance which crossed boundaries, ignited emotional responses and reached large in-person and/or virtual audiences. All genres of music, live performances and live recorded performances, including live virtual performances are eligible.

METIS ARTIST/GROUP OF THE YEAR

This category recognizes Metis artists who use traditional languages, instruments or cultural influences in their music.

SOCIAL VOICE

This category recognizes an artist who raises awareness of social and relevant issues for and/or environmental issues and inspires change through positive messages in music. For example – an artist whose message highlights MMIWG, Climate, Housing conditions, Languages, LBGTQ2S+. Please submit a copy of the lyrics with a song submission.

RADIO SONG SINGLE OF THE YEAR

This category recognizes a song single which has been released to commercial radio and celebrates music and artistic excellence. The song will have had recognition by industry, peers and the public with an exceptional impact in its release.

INUIT ARTIST / GROUP OF THE YEAR

This category recognizes Inuit artists who use traditional languages, instruments or cultural influences in their music.