It’s been a transformative year for Mohawk singer-songwriter Shawnee Kish.
She became a mother, was nominated for two Juno Awards, released five singles and was named one of TikTok’s 2024 Indigenous Visionary Voices.
Kish feels lucky to be in the position that she is in, but admits the music industry has not always been welcoming to her as an Indigenous, Two-Spirit person.
“Especially, when I came out, first into the scene and released some music I was encouraged to not be out as a Two-Spirit person and that was, I was told, would help all genders feel included, which is specifically we’re going to talk about men to feel included in my journey, which nobody is excluded in my journey,” says Kish on the latest episode of Face to Face.
“There’s so much power and beauty that female, Indigenous women hold and I would love to see that amplified.”
Kish says she’s grateful for the opportunities that have come her way and says she tries to turn them into something else not only for herself but for others.
As someone who struggled with depression as a youth, Kish says she tries to empower youth with her music and voice.
She has been a long time supporter for the Kids Help Phone.
“What I love about them is that it’s the emergency call when you are at the very edge of your last bit of hope,” says Kish. “It’s that emergency call that you can make, just to talk to someone, especially because kids are so vulnerable. I remember when I was younger, I felt the weight of the world, feeling like tomorrow was not an option and, oh my gosh looking back on it like ‘oh girl, you have so much life to live’ and how at risk I was.
“When you don’t have someone in your life to call and say ‘hey I’m struggling’ or a parent or a family member or a friend, you don’t have that person, Kids Help Phone is there,” says Kish.
Kish is quick to acknowledge that music saved her life.
During her times of struggle and when she felt most alone, she would start writing things down.
Her latest single, Favourite Gift is a Christmas song about her baby daughter and a departure from the usual themes of her music.
“A lot of my songs are self-reflective and kind of the journey of healing, which is important but this song is about the joy of just what she brings to my life, and how much peace and happiness she has brought and being able to share that with her. So, she’s my favourite gift on Christmas and it made so much sense and I can’t wait to put it on when she finally, with her little legs can stand up and dance,” says Kish.
