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 W innipeg and
the W orldwide UNESCO Youth Multimedia competition. Ali has performed numerous profile shows
including with the renowned W innipeg Symphony Orchestra (W SO).
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. W ritten 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.
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
