Canadian Music Week is pleased to announce Raven Kanatakta and Sho-Shona Kish of Digging Roots will receive the 2023 CMW Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award during a special presentation at the Westin Harbour Castle on June 10, in recognition of their longstanding commitment to charitable initiatives. The CMW Allan Slaight Humanitarian Award is presented annually to a Canadian artist, duo or group, in recognition of their social activism and benevolent support of humanitarian interests and causes. As recipient of this Award, The Slaight Family Foundation will make a sizable donation towards a charity of Digging Roots choosing.
âDigging Roots are a living example of community. The music that Raven and Sho-Shona create is grounded in the spirit of home and that is evident in all they give back as their star continues to rise,” said Gary Slaight, President and CEO of the Slaight Family Foundation. “My father Allan was a champion of the arts and we are proud to carry on his legacy by celebrating generous and thoughtful work by admirable artists like Digging Roots.â
As part of Canadian Music Week, two-time JUNO Award winner Digging Roots will also host the Canadian Live Music Industry Awards on June 9 at the Westin Harbour Castle. Digging Roots are also nominated for two Jim BeamÂź INDIES for Group or Duo of the Year and Indigenous Artist/Group or Duo of the Year.
The husband and wife team Raven Kanatakta and Sho-Shona Kish of Digging Roots are Anishinabek and OnkwehĂłn:we musicians, songwriters, and activists who have traveled around the world spreading conscious music that speaks to the modern identity of being Indigenous people in Canada. They connect the past to the present with an understanding of history, Indigenous knowledge, and music. Since the inception of Digging Roots, Raven and Sho-Shona have supported many, many grassroots and cultural events in the advocacy of Indigenous Rights. Their last philanthropic organized performance before the pandemic was a collaboration to present We Are The Stronghold: Music, Ceremony & Celebration in Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en, where they raised over $30,000. Over the years theyâve conducted music workshops with children in isolated reserves with a focus on identity, empowerment, history, colonialism, and creativity. Theyâve also gifted instruments like drums, guitars, harmonicas, and amplifiers to Indigenous children.
As recipients for the Humanitarian Award they would acquire Ground Penetrating Radar machines that will be donated to a national organization to be made available to First Nation communities to survey and find children who have been murdered in their traditional territories when mandated Residential Schools operated across Canada. To date, the bodies of 10,000 young people have been discovered in unmarked graves.
Raven and Sho-Shona are the first generation in their family to not forcibly attend Residential Schools. Their sons, Skye and Wawaasnode, are their familyâs first generation to be raised completely without the direct influence of clergymen and clergywomen. Through Digging Roots, Raven and Sho-Shona have been publicly engaging audiences from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Penticton, BC, on this subject matter through songs like âCut My Hairâ and âSweetwater’. Raven notes that âWe are in a time of reconciliation, we need to move our allied discussions from conversation to action, and that means we need co-conspirators to get the healing process started. Itâs time to learn from the past so we don’t repeat the injustices of yesteryear. The only way forward is to face the truth of this country and implement solutions for peace.”
The healing process of Canada needs to begin with people; with people who have connected their minds to their hearts. Raven and Sho-Shona have utilized music as a voice for justice, peace, inspiration, empathy, and dance. Youâll always find Digging Roots singing Song Lines with the Round Dance beat of their own drum in cities, to the end of the road on the Rez.
âFor someone who grew up in Canada, it is hard to believe we were not taught about the abhorrent atrocities going on in this country for generations,â said Neill Dixon, President of Canadian Music Week. âIn 2021, Raven Kanatakta shared a striking story of how his grandmother would say âShame on you, Canada.â, and this has stuck with us. It is through the work of Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award recipients like Digging Roots and the late Gord Downie that the truth comes to the surface in new ways through music and conversation.â
Each year, Slaight Communications and Canadian Music Week awards an outstanding Canadian artist, in recognition of their contribution to social activism and support of humanitarian causes. Previous CMW Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award recipients include Abel âThe Weekndâ Tesfaye, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Gord Downie, Arcade Fire, RUSH, Sarah McLachlan, Chantal Kreviazuk & Raine Maida, Simple Plan, Bruce Cockburn, Bryan Adams and Nelly Furtado.
ABOUT ALLAN SLAIGHT
A pioneer of rock and roll, Allan parlayed his entrepreneurial flair with his knowledge of radio to create Canada’s largest privately owned multi-media company, Standard Broadcasting Corporation Limited. An inductee into the Broadcast Hall of Fame (1997), the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Commerce from Ryerson Polytechnic University (2000), appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (2001), the recipient of the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award (2005) for his contribution to the growth and development of the Canadian music industry, Allan has also maintained a lifelong interest in conjuring.
ABOUT THE SLAIGHT FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Slaight Family Foundation was established in 2008 by John Allan Slaight. Allan Slaight (1931-2021), known as Canadaâs broadcast pioneer, was a leader in the music industry and a prominent Canadian philanthropist. Through his generosity, the Foundation proactively supports charitable initiatives in the areas of healthcare, at-risk youth, international development, social services and culture. The foundation is overseen by Allanâs son, Gary Slaight, President & CEO, The Slaight Family Foundation.
ABOUT CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK: Now in its 41st year, Canadian Music Week is Canada’s leading annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country’s music, media and entertainment industries. Combining multifaceted information-intensive conferences; a trade exposition; awards shows and the nation’s largest new music festival. All conference functions occur at The Westin Harbour Castle at 1 Harbour Square in Toronto.
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Media Contact: Damien Nelson, damien@wantandable.ca
ABOUT DIGGING ROOTS
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Digging Roots Contact: CultureCap Artists, Keely Kemp, keelykemp@culturecap.ca