Categories & Submission Criteria
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES
“Indigenous communities, peoples and nations are those which, having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of the societies now prevailing on those territories, or parts of them.” Defining “Indigenous Peoples” – the United Nations.
INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS ARTIST/GROUP RECORDING OF THE YEAR
This category celebrates artists who identify as Indigenous, but not First Nations, Metis or Inuit, and may reside anywhere in the world, including Canada.
The artist/group needs to highlight their unique Indigenous culture within their music by means of language, instruments and/or lyrics about their culture. All genres of music accepted. It is important for the judges to understand what your music is about and the message within the lyrics. You have the opportunity to attach a copy of the lyrics, in English, for the judges to review.
POW WOW / HAND DRUM / FIDDLE / INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
This category recognizes an album which captures the sounds and emotions of the Pow Wow and/or captures cultural heritage and the love of traditional and classical music and dance with the use of hand drums / fiddle / flute instruments.
SELF NOMINATION CATEGORIES
RISING STAR
This category recognizes and shares the talent and potential of a rising and emerging solo artist or group who has yet to reach a large audience with their art. This category is open to all age groups. Submission will include 1-3 songs or videos released within the eligibility period (April 1, 2021 – January 1, 2023).
SOCIAL VOICE
This category recognizes an artist who raises awareness of social and relevant issues for and/or environmental issues and inspires change through positive messages in music. For example – an artist whose message highlights MMIWG, Climate, Housing conditions, Languages, LBGTQ2S+. Please submit a copy of the lyrics with a song submission.1-3 songs from within the eligibility period (April 1 2021 – January 1 2023) must be submitted. The songs do not have to be from the same album.
ARTISTIC VIDEO
This category celebrates creative artistic values and expression through video. Both self-produced and professionally produced videos made available to the public will be eligible. You will need to submit your video along with an outline of the video’s production details, including the name(s) of the producers and details of where the video was produced. This award will go to the artists as well as the director, producer, or filmmaker of the video. The director/producer or film maker does not need to have Indigenous Heritage but the artist does.
MUSIC IN THE ARTS
LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
RADIO SONG SINGLE OF THE YEAR
This category recognizes an original previously unreleased song single which has been released to commercial radio and celebrates music and artistic excellence. The song will have had recognition by industry, peers and the public with an exceptional impact in its release.
ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR
This category recognizes artists in the folk, roots and blues genres, who are creating music in any of these genres with traditional or contemporary instruments.
COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
RAP / HIP HOP / ELECTRONICA ALBUM OF THE YEAR
METIS ARTIST/GROUP OF THE YEAR
This category recognizes the success in capturing cultural heritage and the love of traditional music and dance with the use of lyrics and/or Métis music instruments such as the fiddle violin, mouth-organ, accordion, spoons, comb, and jaw harp, etc.
INUIT ARTIST / GROUP OF THE YEAR
POP/ALTERNATIVE/ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Celebrating pop, alternative and rock music in all genre styles; including a fusion of traditional and contemporary music expression.
RECORDING ARTIST(S) OF THE YEAR
MUSICAL LEGACY AND CONTRIBUTION CATEGORY
This award recognizes artists who have impacted artistic and cultural heritage on behalf of the Indigenous community. Their contributions helped to influence and grow continued development in the Indigenous music industry. The winner of this category will be selected this year by the artistic advisory circle.
SUBMISSION CRITERIA
- To be eligible for The SSIMAs the DATE OF RELEASE for live & virtual performances and recordings MUST be between April 1 2021 – January 1 2023
- The SSIMAs submissions are open to Indigenous ensembles, solo artists, duos or groups from across Canada. Any artist/group submitting a nomination who is not a Canadian citizen and identifies as Indigenous, MUST ONLY SUBMIT for the following two categories;
- INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS ARTIST/GROUP RECORDING OF THE YEAR
- POW WOW TRADITIONAL / CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- To be eligible for the SSIMAs, at least 50 percent of group members and/or artistic driving force and ownership behind the brand must identify as Indigenous. Proof of ancestry is required*.
- *To protect the integrity of our organization and the events we host, it is our policy with SSIF/IE that we require all artists to provide some form of formal recognition to show their proof of Indigenous ancestry. We recognize that this can be a challenging process for some and we always hate being in this position to potentially prevent one of our Indigenous community members from participating in the event, but we also take the responsibility very seriously to ensure the authenticity and support of only Indigenous artists. As an arts and cultural organization, we recognize it is not our role to confirm or deny someone’s Indigenous identity and so rely on our provincial and national associations to play that role.
- In order to adjudicate a category, a minimum of 3 submissions must be received for that category.
- There is no limit as to the number of categories for which one artist/group may submit. Each nomination must be submitted separately, if applying for more than one category.
- An artist/group can submit more than once in the following categories; Artistic Video, Music in the Arts and Radio Song Single of the Year. The entries must be different songs and must be released within the eligibility dates.
- Albums must contain more than 50 percent original content and have a minimum run time of previously unreleased music of 25 minutes and/or 6 tracks.To be eligible for the best album categories, over 50 percent of the album must fit the genre of the category.
- ARTIST / GROUP OF THE YEAR categories must submit 3 songs for review which have been released during the eligible dates, but do not have to be from the same album. These can be three singles released within the eligibility period.
- Nomination forms and all supporting documentation must be submitted by April 10, 2023
- There is no fee to submit a nomination.
- Ineligibility and disqualification: recordings or submission will be deemed ineligible if they do not meet the eligibility criteria and / or due to breach of ethics / misconduct and / or cultural appropriation. Please refer to the Code of Conduct and Individual Responsibility and Cultural Protocols sections below for additional information.
- Voting procedure: Voting will be conducted by our invited panel of jurors which includes Indigenous and music industry professionals and peers. There will be no public voting.
CODE OF CONDUCT AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY
Artists, guests and their Industry representatives are required to be professional and respectful to The SSIMAs, The SSIMAs Advisory Committee, Judges and The SSIMAs guests, partners, sponsors and all associates.
The SSIMAs encourage an environment of inclusiveness and mindfulness of all social and political backgrounds/views, gender diversity and fairness that exists within our community. All participants, nominees and staff of The SSIMAs will be respectful, will uphold appropriate behaviour and not participate in lateral violence. Any violation of the code of conduct will result in immediate removal from the nomination process and/or live event.
CULTURAL PROTOCOLS
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
PRESENTED BY
with additional support from:
