On a night meant to celebrate their successes, musicians participating in the Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards chose instead to dedicate their stage to their fallen sisters.
When rappers Winnipeg Boyz opened the show they did so sporting t-shirts that read “Where are our women?” in reference to the more than 1100 missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada.
“We are trying to get answers. We all want answers,” said group member William Pierson, “We got strong voices so we’re trying to use them.”
The duo, who took home a pair of awards including best hip hop album, said they feel compelled to speak out about social issues.
“As artists we have to stand up and say something. If we don’t, then what is the music good for?” asked the groups other member Charlie Fettah.
One after another performers, award winners and presenters used the stage to draw attention to the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women.
"They are our sisters, our mothers, our aunties, our friends…they will always be loved and never forgotten,” said actor and host of the show Lorne Cardinal.
Many in the crowd sported cloth butterflies as a tribute to missing and murdered women.
“We are proud to wear the butterflies tonight,” said Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger as he presented an award.
When Manitoba rapper and poet Wab Kinew asked for a round of applause from people who want a national inquiry into the issue, he received a standing ovation.
Saying change begins at home, Kinew had a challenge for other musicians.
"I would like to challenge all of the hip hop and rap artists in our community to stop making music with language that's disrespectful and demeaning to indigenous women,” he said.
Backstage after the show Winnipeg Boyz publicly accepted that challenge.
And they did so in their “Where are our women?” t-shirts.
