NIMKII & THE NINIIS

NIMKII AND THE NINIIS are an Indigenous collective from Wiikwemkoong, Ontario, lead by Nimkii Osawamick. Their debut EP Nang Giizhigoong was nominated for Juno Awards of 2022, in the Traditional Indigenous Artist of the Year category. Specializing in traditional Anishinaabek drumming and choral singing, Nang Giizhigoong was an offering lifted up from Osawamick’s upbringing on the pow trail with his “ninii’s” - brothers. With an ongoing desire to blend traditional indigenous music with contemporary pop styles in the mainstream, this album dives deeper into the idea of traditional music being a contemporary expression of culture. “Live From Shed 5” is their second album that focuses on using anishinaabemowin in the songs to keep the language alive. Dedicated To our elders and language speakers in our communities. This album lifts up our traditional ways of sharing and reclaiming through storytelling. Using elder Shirley Williams voice as a narrative guide to the songs that are offered up as a form of prayer for those who have come before us and those yet to come.