Six Nations of the Grand River singer-songwriter Logan Staats has been announced as this year's recipient of the SOCAN Foundation's TD Indigenous Songwriter Award. The Mohawk folk artist is being recognized in the fifth year of the award for his song "Deadman."
Five additional Indigenous songwriters — Aysanabee, Exclaim! New Faves alum Ila Barker, Kaeley Jade, Uncle Joe and Twin Flames — have received honourable mentions in the form of $1,000 bursaries to support their career development. Staats, meanwhile, receives the grand prize: $10,000 cash, as well as the opportunity to perform in front of some music industry professionals.
"My nation and my community are in every chord I play and every note I sing. They've saved me," Staats said in a press release. "As I spend more and more time on Indigenous frontlines, it's really affecting my songwriting. Most of my inspiration has come from my time at Land back lane and Wet'suwet'en. I used to keep my activism and music separate, but now they're totally intermingled."
"Empowering Indigenous voices is essential, and we're thankful for ongoing support from TD to celebrate Indigenous songwriters in Canada," SOCAN Foundation Executive Director Charlie Wall-Andrews added of the award, established to recognize the artistic merit of Indigenous songwriters working in any genre of music.
Staats released "Deadman" as the first single from his new album A Light in the Attic in late 2021 — and the song, pleading for a self-love stolen by settler colonialism, is evidently still making waves.
Five additional Indigenous songwriters — Aysanabee, Exclaim! New Faves alum Ila Barker, Kaeley Jade, Uncle Joe and Twin Flames — have received honourable mentions in the form of $1,000 bursaries to support their career development. Staats, meanwhile, receives the grand prize: $10,000 cash, as well as the opportunity to perform in front of some music industry professionals.
"My nation and my community are in every chord I play and every note I sing. They've saved me," Staats said in a press release. "As I spend more and more time on Indigenous frontlines, it's really affecting my songwriting. Most of my inspiration has come from my time at Land back lane and Wet'suwet'en. I used to keep my activism and music separate, but now they're totally intermingled."
"Empowering Indigenous voices is essential, and we're thankful for ongoing support from TD to celebrate Indigenous songwriters in Canada," SOCAN Foundation Executive Director Charlie Wall-Andrews added of the award, established to recognize the artistic merit of Indigenous songwriters working in any genre of music.
Staats released "Deadman" as the first single from his new album A Light in the Attic in late 2021 — and the song, pleading for a self-love stolen by settler colonialism, is evidently still making waves.
