Music in Film in Motion (MFM) has launched an Indigenous Music Mentorship Program to provide emerging Indigenous musicians and songwriters with firsthand knowledge, skills, and insight into how to make it in the entertainment industry.
It will provide one-on-one, personalized mentorship to musicians and songwriters who identify as First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, and who are based anywhere in northern Ontario according to a news release.
“As a whole, MFM exists to eliminate barriers for artists and accelerate career growth,” said MFM’s Music Outreach Officer, Jen McKerral. “In a lot of cases, the best way to accomplish this as an emerging artist is to make those connections with people who’ve been where you are and can help you avoid some of those rookie mistakes.”
Mentors include Melody McKiver, an Anishinaabe multidisciplinary artist and arts educator located in Sioux Lookout on Treaty #3 territory; singer-songwriter Nick Sherman based out of Thunder Bay; and Josh Deperry, a.k.a. Classic Roots, a musician, producer, and educator, originally from Thunder Bay, who works to inspire and instill self-confidence in Indigenous youth.
“The Indigenous Music Mentorship Program is a unique opportunity for Northern artists to begin mapping out a career while navigating barriers that come with being far away or even isolated from the music industry,” said Sherman. “These artists’ stories and experiences have value and to see that be elevated is the most important part of what I want to help achieve with this program.”
In addition, participants will be invited to participate in and showcase at the Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards conference, May 23-25, the region’s prime industry gathering.
“Showcasing at NOMFA means getting to play for music industry members from across Canada, but it’s also a really great way to network and bond with other artists,” adds McKerral. “You leave with this network of like-minded allies, which can be really motivating as you continue to work at building your career from home.”
To take part, please check out www.cionorth.ca/immp and follow the links to submit.
