It's Bigger Than Hip Hop

On Saturday, Feb. 5, the Aboriginal Music Program of Manitoba Music is having a community consultation.
   
The AMP is a rad organization designed to help Aboriginal people develop sustainable careers in Manitoba’s music industry. (If you work in the music industry in Manitoba, you’re familiar with Manitoba Music. If not, you’re crazy.)
   
Launched in 2004, the AMP is the first of its kind in Canada’s music industry. It utilizes Manitoba Music’s established networks, resources and services as a foundation on which to provide additional support for Aboriginal music-industry workers in Manitoba and help raise their profiles. Being that Winnipeg is sometimes referred to as "Red Hollywood," this is the ideal place for AMP to be working.
   
The community consultation is designed to gain input from the Aboriginal community, and Aboriginal artists working in any and all genres of music are encouraged to attend. The half-day session will begin at noon and will be held at the Indian and Métis Friendship Centre (45 Robinson St.).
   
According to aboriginalmusic.ca, this community consultation will be the third and final step in a strategic planning process for Manitoba Music’s AMP. The organization will use the information collected at this session to shape the program’s guiding principles, and develop future projects and services. The first two steps were consultations with the staff and steering committee for the AMP. The steering committee consists of some heavy hitters in Manitoba’s music scene including NCIFM/Streetz CEO Dave McLeod and artists such as Kimberley Dawn, Don Amero, Vince Fontaine, Tracy Bone, Wab Kinew, Jesse Green and JC Campbell. Combined, they probably have about 100 music awards between them.
   
Alan Greyeyes, AMP’s coordinator says, "The community consultation is open to anyone interested. We would love input from artists, managers, labels, agents, publicists and any other parties with a vested interest in the Aboriginal music community."
   
So basically, that’s everyone in Winnipeg — plus, if you need another incentive, they’ll probably have some good snacks.
   
Membership in AMP has its privileges. The program holds workshops regularly with professionals in the music industry on subjects such as marketing, composing music for film and television, songwriting and radio. Plus, people involved with the program know a lot of other people all over the world and can facilitate networking opportunities across North America. If you want to get serious about your music, you need to be a member. If you’re not a member, get down to Manitoba Music’s office (1-376 Donald St.) and say what’s up. Tell them Jules sent you, and I’ll see you at the community consultation on Saturday.
   
I’ll be the person pillaging the coffee.
   
Julie Lafreniere is an English Masters student whose dad is an Indian and mom is a cowboy.