Shawnee Kish is a 3× JUNO-nominated Mohawk Two-Spirit Indigenous alternative country artist whose soaring vocals and fearless songwriting have earned her national recognition as one of Canada’s most compelling voices. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, her music blends alternative country with soul, rock, and folk influences, grounded in storytelling and lived experience.

 

Her recorded work includes the self-titled Shawnee Kish (2021), Revolution (2023), the EP Pray For Me (2025), and her most recent album Chapter 1 (2025). With Chapter 1, Shawnee made a clear step into the alternative country space while remaining rooted in the genre-blurring sound that has always defined her writing.

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Performing with a full band or in acoustic settings, Shawnee is known for her ability to deeply connect with audiences. Her live shows balance emotional depth with energy and momentum, creating space for both reflection and movement. Her powerful, soul-forward voice and grounded stage presence translate easily from intimate rooms to large festival stages.

 

Shawnee is a winner of the CBC Music Searchlight Competition (2020) and has received multiple JUNO Award nominations, including nods for Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year (2022, 2024) and Adult Alternative Album of the Year (2024). She was also selected for the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class (2021). Her song “Mercy” earned Best Song at the Music in Motion Canada (MiMC) Awards.

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Her visual storytelling has also received significant recognition. Shawnee’s music video “Dear God” has earned awards at the Toronto Independent Film Festival and the Canadian International Film Festival, along with additional nominations. Her songwriting has also been recognized internationally, with “Tequila Knows Me” named a finalist in the Wide Open Country Songwriting Contest.

 

Career highlights include representing Canada at World Expo Dubai (2021), performing at the Calgary Stampede (2022), touring nationally aboard the Canada Holiday Train (2024), and delivering a historic Indigenous collaboration on the 2024 JUNO Awards main stage. She has shared stages with artists including Lady Gaga, Arkells, and Lights.

 

Beyond her recorded and live work, Shawnee is a committed advocate who believes in music as a form of care and connection. Her initiatives include Music Is My Medicine, a symphonic work performed with the National Arts Centre Orchestra for CBC Gem’s Undisrupted, and partnerships with organizations such as Kids Help Phone.

 

With a rapidly expanding national presence and an award-recognized body of work, Shawnee Kish continues to build a career rooted in honesty, craft, and connection—shaping a powerful and contemporary voice within Indigenous and Canadian music.