Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards gives Aboriginal music stars the chance to shine
APCMAs 2012: Stars get to shine under national spotlight
posted by
Trevor Greyeyes
on Nov 02, 2012
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from the gallery
APCMAs 2012
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The night began under spotlights that highlighted drummers from four directions with an Anishnabe, Asian, African and a Celtic drum that echoed the heartbeat of Mother Earth.
The big awards night at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards gives Aboriginal music stars the chance to shine on the national stage with all the glitz and glamour of a Hollywood extravaganza.
You can read the complete list of winners here.
It was another big night for Thunder Bay's Shy-Anne who hauled in three more awards to be the APCMA's big winner with a total of six awards over two nights.
"I have to say a big shout out to Keeseekoowenin because that's where my father's side of the family is from and then Brokenhead where my mom's side of the family is from," said Shy-Anne. "And then out to my family in Pine Ridge, South Dakota."
Needless to say, Shy-Anne was blown away even with just the thought of winning six awards. But for her, winning so many awards was a sign that she has been able to touch so many people with her songwriting.
Winnipeg-based musician Tracy Bone stepped up to take Aboriginal songwriter of the year in a hotly contested category that featured some past winners.
For Bone, winning the songwriting category was recognition of her ability to communicate and reach out beyond herself.
However, I think the biggest smile of the night belonged to singer songwriter Don Amero who took home the award for Aboriginal male entertainer of the year.
The night before Amero had won his first APCMA as part of the collaborative project known as Indian City but this night he won his very first award for his own work.
"It's an experience and a half to get up and say the thank yous that I've been holding back for so long," he laughs. "I became speechless."
He said it's like winning half an award with someone else. Although he did add that he didn't want to take anything away from that because if he was going to win with anyone else it would've been with Indian City.
And speaking about a touch of Hollywood, LightningCloud won for best
rap/hip -hop. The duo consists of Crystle Lightning and MC RedCloud.
"There's just so much talent here that it's amazing to be a part of
it," Lightning said. Cloud added, "We were going to celebrate whether we
won or not. We're in a city with our brothers and sisters. Really what
more could you ask for."
Louie Goose won't soon be forgetten as leader of Louie Goose and the Mackenzie Delta Band - accepting the lifetime achievement award.
"When we started out, it sure was a lot different," joked Goose. "We didn't have guitar tuners and we didn't have pianos to tune to so you did it by ear. The young people today are so talented and coming out with great lyrics. There was no red carpet. There wasn't even a caribou carpet."
CBC Music's own Kim Wheeler shone as she worked the red carpet introductions as the stars got a chance to stroll down that crimson walk of fame into the MTS Centre packed with adoring fans.
Related:
APCMAs 2012: complete coverage