Brief Bio
Shibastik
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 Lowlands. His art and music have always promoted awareness and appreciation for the land and First Nation 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) in a series called “First Music and Arts,” making him one of the first Indigenous hip hop artists to appear on national television in Canada.
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 sports, art, music, 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. He has also developed many other original and innovative workshops that include the use of live Indigenous hip hop performances, original art exhibition, painting/art therapy, as well as storytelling, sharing traditional knowledge, and motivational speaking.
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:
- 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
- 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
Fort Albany FN, ON
Kashechewan FN, ON
Moose Factory FN, ON
Bear Island F.N., ON
Serpent River FN, ON
Whitesand FN, ON
Pays Plat FN, ON
Sand Point, FN, ON
Sandy Lake FN, ON
Constance Lake FN, ON
Eagle Lake, FN, ON
White Dog FN, ON
Mishkeegogamang FN, ON
Pelican Falls FN High School, ON
Lac Seul FN, ON
Lac La Croix FN, ON
Fort William FN, ON
Weagamow FN, ON
Red Rock (Lake Helen FN), ON
Webequie FN, ON
Manitoulin Island FN, ON
Wunnumin Lake FN, ON
Waywayseecappo FN, MB
Great Whale FN, QC
Chisasibi FN, QC
Wemindji FN, QC
Waskaganish FN, QC
Mistissini FN, QC
Waswanipi FN, QC
Ouje-bougoumou FN, QC
Nameska FN, QC
Eastmain FN, QC
Fort Hope FN, ON
Bearskin Lake FN, ON
Quetico Park, ON (Lac le Croix FN traditional territory)
Wahgoshig FN, ON
Deer Lake FN, ON
Fort Severn FN, ON
Taykwa Tagamou FN, ON
Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, WI (USA)
Tataskweyak Cree Nation, MB
