Indigenous singer Siibii takes home award, alongside James Cameron

Siibi, the non-binary Eenou singer from Mistissini, Quebec, is a star on the rise.

Their music has been streamed over three million times online, and this year they received their first Juno nomination.

They say it was a special moment they got to share with family.

“The fact that my mom came with my little sister to the Junos to like experience it together, it was a lovely first time to be able to experience that.”

Another memorable opportunity for the singer was being honoured as an emerging artist at The Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards.

Other notable Canadians were also on hand for the event, but one in particular caught Siibii’s attention.

“James Cameron was sitting with the laureates, and they had placed me beside where the laureates were sitting, I guess like because they were going to highlight me or whatever,” they said. “I got up and I turned my head to look James Cameron directly in the face, and he fully like I said hi back, which was lovely.”

Siibii hopes to keep the rhythm going, releasing new music this fall, and they’re heading out on tour next week.

“I’m flying all over this beautiful country. I’m really excited,” they told CTV News.

The singer says all these opportunities still come as a surprise.

“Having grown up in the res, and growing up around a lot of humble realities, I didn’t even think I could be an artist, let alone that I could survive off of my art,” they said.

Siibii hopes to show other young Indigenous people to dream big.

“These little minds, these little hearts that are looking are looking for heroes, the way I was looking for heroes, it feels like a lot of responsibility, but it also feels like a lot of love,” said Siibii. “I feel very blessed to be in the industry when there’s so much exposure and eyes on indigenous heroes and Indigenous artists.”