About
Ali Fontaine is a multi-award winning Anishinaabe singer/songwriter who grew up in Sagkeeng First Nation
in Manitoba Canada.
Ali’s songs and voice ring authentic, with a rare ability to immediately connect with listeners. Ali is inspired by her community, who she continues to maintain a strong connection with. As a singer-songwriter and third-year law student, Ali seeks to advocate for Indigenous peoples and communities, especially Indigenous women and children.
“I believe that by studying law and writing/creating music, I am able to exercise both the left and right sides of my brain. I hope to encourage others to engage in positive and healthy self-expression in all forms – which I strongly believe is beneficial for our mental health and well being.”
Some of Ali’s notable achievements have included winning 4 Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards, a Native American Music Award, a Youth Role Model Award in Creative Arts from the City of Winnipeg and the Worldwide UNESCO Youth Multimedia competition. Ali has performed numerous profile shows including with the renowned Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO).
Recently signed to Atomic Ranch Records, Ali’s anticipated upcoming single release “Nibi” (which translates to “water” from Anishinaabemowin) is a powerful song that showcases her songwriting abilities and rich and soothing voice. Written by Ali and produced by award-winning producer Chris Burke-Gaffney (MacKenzie Porter, Indian City, Chantal Kreviazuk), “Nibi” reflects upon Anishinaabe water teachings and the correlation between colonialism and violence against Indigenous women and girls on Turtle Island.
Nibi - Official Lyric Video
Highlights
- Independently released two albums – Ali Fontaine (2011) and Diamond in the Rough (2012)
- Notable performances: two performances with the W innipeg Symphony Orchestra; headlining show at the Isabel Bader Centre at
Queen’s University (Kingston, ON); Planet IndignenUS (Toronto, ON and Six Nations). - 2 #1 songs on the Indigenous Music Countdown (formerly National Aboriginal Music Countdown) [“Runaway” and “Fight for You”].
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s Worldwide UNESCO Youth Multimedia Competition
- Winner for the demo version of the song “Nibi”
- City of Winnipeg Youth Role Model Award for Creative Arts
- Aboriginal Peoples’ Choice Music Award (APCMA) for “Female Entertainer of the Year”
- Native American Music Award for “Best Country CD”
- APCMA for “Most Outstanding Manitoban”
- APCMA for “Best New Artist”
- APCMA for “Best Country CD”
- Ted and Helen Hughes Prize for Excellence, Indigenous Children/Youth and the Law (University of Saskatchewan, College of Law)
- Roger Carter Leadership Award for Indigenous People (University of Saskatchewan, College of Law, Indigenous Law Centre Summer Student Program
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