As both artist and gardener, Mimi O’Bonsawin (Pronounced: MEE-MEE O-BON-SA-WIN) draws a deep connection between the two practices: “Making music and growing food are very much the same. They both start with a seed and, with proper care, can grow into a beautiful garden that we all can share. I put intention and love into every seed and every note.” In May 2025, Mimi was awarded Solo Artist of the Year at the Trille Or Awards. Earlier in the year, she toured Australia with performances at the Woodford and Cygnet Folk Festivals. After a winter hard at work on her next album, she spent the summer on the road with her band at Festivals across Canada, including Vancouver Folk Festival, Mission Folk Festival, Francos de Montréal, Festival en Chanson Petite-Vallée and was invited by Elisapie to perform on the TV series Le Grand-Solstice, airing nationally on Ici-Télé & APTN. Mimi performs as a duo with her husband, Ryan Schurman, on drums and percussion, creating an intimate yet uplifting experience. Together, they invite audiences into their universe with a full-band sound that inspires dancing, singing and joy. 2024 brought incredible opportunities, with performances at festivals and arts centres across Canada. Mimi opened for JUNO-award-winning artists, including Aysanabee, Good Lovelies, The East Pointers, and DJ Shub, as well as Beverly Glenn-Copeland at Montreal’s Rialto Theatre. In spring 2024, during her second tour in France, Mimi released Live In Concert, her first-ever live album, capturing favourite moments from one of her Willow album release shows. Released in March 2023, Willow is a collection of 14 songs that marked a turning point in her creative journey. “This album sounds like the music I have always heard in my heart,” Mimi says. “It is honest, it is real, and it is full of life. I have never felt more alive.” Late that year, on September 29, 2023, she released her first full-length French album, Boréale, an intimate reflection of her roots, also recorded with Ryan in their log home studio. The 2023/2024 season was marked by acclaim, with nominations at the Folk Music Ontario Awards, Capital Music Awards, Canadian Folk Music Awards, Northern Ontario Music & Film Awards, Native American Awards, and Prix Trille Or. Her albums Willow and Live In Concert were also considered at the GRAMMYs. In 2019, Mimi won Best Pop Album at the Indigenous Music Awards. Reaching new audiences at home and abroad, Mimi stays true to this statement: “I want to invite audiences into my world because, for me, music is medicine. It’s not mine, it’s not yours, music is something we all share. It is our garden.” The North Sound is an award-winning roots-Americana group based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, led by Blackfoot singer-songwriter Forrest Eaglespeaker and vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Nevada Freistadt. Blending elements of Americana, folk-rock, and alt-country, the group crafts songs that speak to lived experience, exploring themes of belonging, perseverance, and the search for connection with sincerity and heart. Whether performing as an intimate duo or a full five-piece band, The North Sound invites audiences into an experience that feels both personal and universal. Their music is grounded in the power of storytelling, offering moments of reflection, healing, and joy. Forrest’s compelling voice and stage presence are matched by Nevada’s emotive harmonies, creating a performance that leaves a lasting impression and fosters a genuine sense of community. Since forming in 2014, The North Sound has become a compelling force in the Canadian music scene. Their live shows are soulful, honest, and impactful—perfect for soft-seat theatres, folk/roots festivals, and community-driven events. The group’s music has garnered national acclaim:• 4 #1 singles on the Indigenous Music Countdown and Saskatchewan’s MBC Radio• 2x winner of Indigenous Artist of the Year at the SaskMusic Awards (2020 & 2021)• Featured performances at the Regina Folk Festival, the National Arts Centre, and more• Collaborations with JUNO Award-winner Crystal Shawanda and New Sun Music Their albums showcase The North Sound’s rare ability to merge personal storytelling with a wide-reaching musical appeal. Signature tracks like “Wash Me Away” and “Between the Ditches” resonate across genres and generations.