Manitoba Music's Indigenous Music Development Program Heads Up Southern California Trade Mission

Manitoba Music is heading up a trade mission to Southern California to connect with some of North America's most successful Native America Nations, November 6-10, through its Indigenous Music Development Program. Artists and entrepreneurs from across Canada will make the trip to share culture and explore business opportunities with the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians, Morongo Band of Missions Indians, Pala Band of Mission Indians, and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

The delegation includes Manito Ahbee Festival executive director Lisa Meeches and classical vocalist Rhonda Head from Manitoba, along with, Calgary-based rapper Drezus, Toronto-based composer and vocal artist Jeremy Dutcher, Vancouver-based singer/songwriter Kristi Lane Sinclair, and in-market consultant Hector Perez-Pacheco.

The trip is part of market development initiatives through the Indigenous Music Development Program, working to promote and raise the profile of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit artists from Manitoba on a national and international stage. Through events like these, Manitoba Music is able to increase the level of awareness and connection between our province’s music industry and the broader national and international industry, which is vital to the career advancement of Manitoba's Indigenous artists and industry professionals.

Manitoba Music's Indigenous Music Development Program was launched in 2004 to help First Nation, Metis, and Inuit people in Manitoba develop sustainable careers in music by connecting them with opportunities within Manitoba Music and beyond. Manitoba Music would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Province of Manitoba, Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Film & Music, and FACTOR with support from Canada’s private radio broadcasters.