Brief Bio
Shibastik
Shibastik, Cree for "underground flow," is an accomplished painter, athlete, lyricist, hip hop producer and a proud member of the Moose Cree First Nation. He was born in Moose Factory, Ontario and grew up across the Moose River in Moosonee. Now living in Thunder Bay he still represents and remains close to the two isolated northern communities located along the southwestern coast of the James Bay. Inspired by life as a Cree hunter on the Mushkegowuk Lowlands, his music and art promote awareness and appreciation for both the land and First Nation culture, past and present.
At the forefront of Canada's Native hip hop movement, Shibastik began producing music independently in 1998. Then in 2002, he landed a spot on a tv series called First Music and Arts, making him one of the first Native hip hop artists to appear on national television in Canada.
Shibastik has well over a decade of extensive training and experience working with youth, including youth in foster care and in detention centers. He has always promoted holistic development through sports and arts based programming . Employed as an IRCS (Intensive Rehabilitation in Custody Supervision) Worker at a secure custody detention center, 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 center's cultural committee, even helping to build and run a sweat lodge on the facility grounds.
It was while working at the youth detention center that Shibastik developed his 'Healing Through Hip Hop' workshop. He has since presented his workshop at conferences, in schools (elementary, secondary and post- secondary), and at various events nationwide. His distinctive brand of music and thought-provoking lyrics have continued to move and empower audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Highlights:
- Aboriginal Youth Achievement and Recognition Award winner for Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal Youth Mentorship
- Certified Artist in “Education for Artists Working in Ontario Schools”
- TedX Performer
- 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 (aka The Shibasketball)
News releases and articles:
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/
