Now in its third year, Manito Ahbee has established itself as a world-class event, a point proven earlier this year when the Aboriginal culture festival took home Travel Manitoba's 2007 Aboriginal Tourism Award. Like the Folk Festival, Fringe Festival and Festival du Voyageur, Manito Ahbee is putting Winnipeg on the map.

"Manito Ahbee is a key destination," says Vince Fontaine, organizer of Manito Ahbee's music fest. "We hope to become as famous as other festivals like Mardi Gras or the Quebec Winter Carnival. We want people to go, 'Hey, that's in Winnipeg.'"

'Manito Ahbee' is Anishinabe for 'where the creator sits' and also makes reference to a particular site in Whiteshell Provincial Park where Aboriginal peoples would gather to learn from each other. The festival carries on that tradition of teaching, aiming to make its visitors more aware of Aboriginal culture. The 10-day festival, which began Oct. 31, has six components: a Métis celebration, an education conference, a music festival, the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, the indigenous marketplace and trade show, and an international competition powwow.

The Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards take place Nov. 6 and 7, with the second night being broadcast on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network live from MTS Centre. Hosting Night 2 are Corner Gas actor Lorne Cardinal and Aboriginal actress/playwright/singer Andrea Menard, and the show will feature performances by Crystal Shawanda, Brule, Ed Peekeekoot, Eagle & Hawk, Donny Parenteau, The Johnnys, Shy-Anne Hovorka, Slidin' Clyde Roulette Band, Wab Kinew and Dominique Reynolds. The people's picks will be presented in such categories as best blues CD, best music video and best contemporary powwow CD.

"Anyone can vote. It's 100% chosen by the people," says Derek McCorrister, manager of operations for the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards. "It's an online voting system at www.aboriginalpeopleschoice.com. Anyone can sign up to become a member, log in with a PIN and password and cast their votes. We have a membership of over 20,000 people worldwide."

From traditional powwow to more modern flavours, music is a huge part of Aboriginal culture. The Manito Ahbee Music Festival takes place Nov. 6 to 8 at The Regal Beagle, The Windsor Hotel, The Pyramid Cabaret and The Chocolate Shop. From the alternative rock of The Johnnys to Fresh I.E.'s positive brand of hip hop to Tracy Bone's pop-country sounds, there's something for everybody at the music fest, regardless of musical taste.

"Don't feel that this is only for Aboriginal people," Fontaine says. "We want people that aren't Aboriginal to come out and see the talent that exists, and let us give you our hospitality.

"Just like Festival du Voyageur or the Fringe Festival, we're open for business and open to the public."

Manito Ahbee schedule

The Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards . Nov. 6, 7 p.m., McPhillips Street Station Casino (invite only); Nov. 7, 7 p.m., MTS Centre, live broadcast show

Manito Ahbee Music Festival . Nov. 6 . The Regal Beagle - Darren Lavallee, Don Amero and Leanne Goose; The Windsor Hotel - South Thunderbird and Slidin' Clyde Roulette Band; The Pyramid Cabaret - Tracy Bone, The Johnnys, JC Campbell and Burnt Project 1 . Nov. 7 . The Regal Beagle - Jerry Sereda, The Johnnys, Shy-Anne Hovorka and Donny Parenteau; The Windsor Hotel - South Thunderbird, Wade Fernandez and Slidin' Clyde Roulette Band . Nov. 8 . The Chocolate Shop - Ed Peekeekoot, Ray St. Germain, Jerry Sereda, Shakti Hayes and Don Amero; The Regal Beagle - Don Amero, Shy-Anne Hovorka, Donny Parenteau, Leanne Goose and Highway 373; The Windsor Hotel - South Thunderbird, Shakti Hayes and Slidin' Clyde Roulette Band; The Pyramid Cabaret - Little Hawk, Fresh I.E., Wade Fernandez, Eagle & Hawk and The Johnnys

International Competition Powwow . Nov. 8, noon & 7 p.m.; Nov. 9, noon, MTS Centre

Indigenous Marketplace & Trade Show . Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., MTS Centre