Manitoba Arts Network
Indigenous
Spring Tour 2024
Strengthening relationships with
Indigenous peoples throughout Manitoba.
Touring Artists’ Bios
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Meet The Artists
Gator Beaulieu
Gator Beaulieu is a Country Singer/Songwriter from Ebb and Flow First Nation with roots in Sandy Bay First Nation, Manitoba.
Gator’s authentic country music style interweaves his love of ballads, blues, rock, folk and Indigenous styles of music. You can hear the influences of Gator’s favourite musicians Merle Haggard, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Johnny Cash and Bob Marley in the songs he writes about the things he knows; love, loss, good times and overcoming addiction and the pride he has in his heritage and family. In addition to Singing and playing the guitar, Gator also plays a multitude of instruments including harmonica, bass, hand drum and Indigenous style Flute. He is a natural showman and incorporates professional performing experiences with pow-wow, theatre and dance to connect with and entertain his audiences.
Rhonda Head
Touring Coordinator Rhonda Head has received 15 nominations and won nine international music awards since she began her music career in 2010. Rhonda has had the opportunity to perform in some of the most unique venues – Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Centre, the Viper Room, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 5 Lands Walk Festival in NSW, Australia, and numerous other venues. Rhonda also recently released an autobiography called Mezzo-Soprano – Memoirs of a Rez Girl. It wasn’t always an easy road for Rhonda; she was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was 22. Rhonda took a year off to recuperate from the 11.5 hour surgery. When she thought her life was back on track she received devastating news when she was 30 that the tumour grew back. Once again, she took time off and took care of her health. Despite the setbacks and challenges, Rhonda continued to follow her passion for music.
Orvis
Orvis was born in Selkirk, Manitoba and raised in his home community of Cross Lake, Manitoba. After high school, Orvis moved back to Selkirk and became a standout in the burgeoning music scene. A veteran of November Underground and The Bloodshots, Orvis is no stranger to masterminding well-polished Alternative Rock & Roll anthems. The recently released (Spring 2023) Love In Vain EP showcases Orvis’ songwriting abilities and diversity as a recording artist. Orvis is currently making the rounds on the tribute and country circuit with his band Orvis & His Higher Guns. Orvis is currently recording his debut album. Influences range from Classic Rock mainstays The Beatles and David Bowie to modern R&B and Soul of Justin Timberlake and Frank Ocean, but the songs still retain that signature Orvis sound.
YBK Shakur
YBK Shakur, also known as Olu Afolabi, sees his music as an ode to the journey of
life, one particularly tough for a black man trying to find his way in the world. YBK stands for
Young Black King, representing the Mentality, Character, and Pursuit of Freedom of Self and
others by extension. He started his journey he started in 2021 with the release of his first single, “When I’m Gone”.
YBK is actively involved in the music scene and in his local community. He is a part of Manitoba’s music initiative “BPM — Black People in Music” and also volunteers for the Youth Hub advisory committee. He has also launched his own entertainment and artist management company called YBK Studios, hosting his own shows and accumulating notable performances, publicity and partnerships.
OG Koy
Yeri Concepcion, better known by his artist name OG KOY, is a 22 year old Dominican artist who migrated to Winnipeg, Canada at the young age of 15 years old.
OG KOY has always had a passion for music and writing since he was very young. Working on perfecting his flow and craft has resulted in the creation of his own unique sound and style, which is a beautiful melodic combination of Spanish and English over a RnB/Trap type beat.
Sadie Cyr
Sadie is an 18-year-old Metis artist who loves to create fantasy worlds within her art. She writes with a burning passion for freedom, love and pain, and most importantly, her personal views of the society we are experiencing and how dark and twisted the reality can be, bringing a modern take on dark romanticism. It is her passion to sing and freely express herself in whichever way her heart calls for her, and to find people who share that likeness on the road.
To Book a Concert Contact
For Indigenous communities; contact Rhonda Head, Indigenous Program Coordinator: email
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