Brief Bio
Shibastik
Chris G. Sutherland aka Shibastik (Cree for "underground flow) is an accomplished rapper, music producer, public speaker, visual artist, athlete, and proud member of Moose Cree First Nation. Born and raised on the Moose River, his music and art are deeply inspired by life as a Cree hunter on the James Bay (Mushkegowuk) Lowlands. His art and music have always promoted awareness and appreciation for the land and First Nations culture.
At the forefront of Canada's Indigenous hip hop movement, Shibastik began producing and performing music independently in 1998. In 2002, he was featured on APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network) with pow wow singer Gitchie Cheechoo in a series called “First Music and Arts,” making him one of the first Native rappers to appear on national television in Canada, and cementing the groundbreaking song "Wild Game" as the original hip hop/pow wow collaboration.
Shibastik has extensive training and experience working with Indigenous youth, including youth in foster care and detention centres. His therapeutic approach has always promoted holistic healing and personal development through the use of art, music, sports and cultural and land based programming. Employed as an IRCS (Intensive Rehabilitation in Custody Supervision) Worker at a secure custody detention centre in Thunder Bay, Shibastik acquired intensive grief and loss training, cognitive training, and dialectical and behavioural therapy education. He also organized cultural programming and events for youth as a member of the centre's Cultural Committee, which included helping to build and run a sweat lodge on the facility grounds.
Shibastik is the creator and facilitator of “Healing Through Hip Hop,” which is the very first-of-its-kind song production workshop to be brought into First Nation communities as a mobile recording studio. His Graffiti Tipi Tour has also incorporated other original and innovative workshops that include the use of live Indigenous hip hop performance, original art exhibition, painting/art therapy, as well as storytelling, sharing traditional knowledge, and motivational speaking. Shibastik has created a framework that has inspired many other Indigenous artists to offer similar services to our communities.
For over 20 years, Shibastik has been working with Indigenous youth and communities and has helped the youth to express themselves in healthy ways through writing lyrics, making music, and creating art. These interactive workshops/presentations have been designed by Shibastik to revive Indigenous culture, instil pride, inspire courage, raise awareness, and promote healing while focusing on many of the issues Indigenous youth are all too often confronted with.
Shibastik has presented at conferences, in schools (elementary, secondary and post-secondary), and many other events nationwide and internationally. His distinctive brand of music and thought-provoking lyrics have continued to move, empower, and inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
With his 2023 single "Nishnawb Hip Hop" reaching #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown, and recently being nominated in 3 categories at the 2022 Native American Music Awards, Shibastik’s music is as relevant and powerful today as ever.
Highlights:
- 2024 (Current) Native American Music Awards nominee for "Best Rap Recording" and "Best Music Video Narrative"
- 2024 (Current) International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards Show nominee for "Best Male Hip Hop Artist"
- 2023 International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards Show nominee for the "Inspirational Social Change Award"
- 2023 single "Nishnawb Hip Hop" reached #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown
- 2021-2022 Native American Music Awards nominee for "Best Hip Hop Video", "Best Blues Video" and "Best R&B Recording"
- 2018 single "Stay (On the Wind) ft Bradley AJ" reached #3 on the Indigenous Music Countdown
- 2016 TedX Performer in Thunder Bay, ON
- 2008 Aboriginal Youth Achievement and Recognition Award winner for Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal Youth Mentorship
- Certified Artist in “Education for Artists Working in Ontario Schools”
- Two time captain of Team Ontario for basketball at the North American Indigenous Games
- Bronze Medal winner at the 2018 Masters Indigenous Games for basketball
- Creator of the Rez Rock (4 colour medicine wheel basketball)
News releases and articles:
https://teachforcanada.ca/en/stories/healing-through-hip-hop/
https://www.timminstoday.com/local-news/artist-teaching-indigenous-youth-through-music-2587269
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/shibastik-five-mile-school-1.4018253
https://www.lakeheadschools.ca/students-recognizing-their-gifts/
https://cahep.ca/tag/shibastik/
https://wawataynews.ca/home/shibastik-release-new-hand-drum-video
https://www.trentu.ca/news/story/9851
https://www.kvcrnews.org/post/62018-rapper-artist-shibastik-lake-arrowhead-village-concert-series
https://www.thehypemagazine.com/2017/04/shibastik-in-the-seventh-generation/
SHIBASTIK REZ TOUR HISTORY
Attawapiskat FN, ON
Bear Island FN, ON
Bearskin Lake FN, ON
Chisasibi FN, QC
Constance Lake FN, ON
Deer Lake FN, ON
Eagle Lake, FN, ON
Eastmain FN, QC
Fort Albany FN, ON
Fort Hope FN, ON
Fort Severn FN, ON
Fort William FN, ON
Great Whale FN, QC
Kasabonika FN, ON
Kashechewan FN, ON
Lac La Croix FN, ON
Lac Seul FN, ON
Marten Falls (Ogoki) FN, ON
Manitoulin Island (United Chiefs and Councils), ON
Mishkeegogamang FN, ON
Mistissini FN, QC
Moose Factory FN, ON
Nameska FN, QC
Ouje-bougoumou FN, QC
Pays Plat FN, ON
Pelican Falls FN High School, ON
Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, WI (USA)
Red Mesa, AZ (USA)
Red Rock (Lake Helen FN), ON
Sand Point, FN, ON
Sandy Lake FN, ON
Serpent River FN, ON
Tataskweyak (Split Lake) Cree Nation, MB
Taykwa Tagamou FN, ON
Wahgoshig FN, ON
Waskaganish FN, QC
Waswanipi FN, QC
Waywayseecappo FN, MB
Weagamow FN, ON
Webequie FN, ON
Wemindji FN, QC
White Dog FN, ON
Whitesand FN, ON
Wunnumin Lake FN, ON
