A longtime producer for the Voices of the North and Northern Spirits showcases has been recognized for her work in Saskatchewan’s Indigenous music scene.
Sheryl Kimbley was honoured at the Saskatchewan Music’s virtual award show Thursday with the inaugural Indigenous Music Achievement award.
Kimbley said she was shocked to hear she had won the award.
“My jaw dropped,” she said. “I had no idea that I was even nominated.”
Kimbley has been organizing shows in the province since her early twenties, taking on the main role for Voices of the North in 2004 and later creating the Northern Spirits Showcase, both of which take place in Prince Albert annually.
She said she felt humbled by the award.
“There’s a handful of people that are always there and then brand new people that come along and help me do the work that I do,” she said. “So, it was very humbling because I know it didn’t happen with just me.”
The award honours “a long-term commitment to integrity and involvement in music which has inspired and uplifted others.”
Kimbley said she hopes this award helps her continue to inspire.
“Anytime you win something, you have to work hard to prove that you deserve it, and I think that what it means to me is when you get something like this, young people see that it can happen and they believe that they can (get it) too.”
Kimbley says she’s currently working on producing this year’s Voices of the North, which is set to take place Feb. 19th in Prince Albert.
(PHOTO: Sheryl Kimbley has been involved in the Saskatchewan music scene for most of her life. File photo.)