Seven Indigenous musicians from across Canada will soon gather in Calgary to take part in the National Music Centre's 2025 OHSOTO'KINO Music Incubator. The artists—Beaatz, Beatrice Love, Brandi Vezina, Damase Elis, Lacey Hill, Raven Reid, and Uncle Trent and Friends—will spend five days at Studio Bell next month learning new skills, connecting with mentors, and collaborating with one another.

The program, which launched in 2022, is meant to give artists space to grow their careers while celebrating the diversity of Indigenous music. This year's group spans genres from hip-hop and folk to soul and country, reflecting the wide range of voices being nurtured. The incubator will close with a public showcase and reception on September 17 at Studio Bell, giving Calgarians the chance to hear the musicians' work and meet them in person.

Organizers say the initiative is about more than training—it's about creating community. Rooted in a Blackfoot phrase meaning "to recognize a voice of," the OHSOTO'KINO program has become a platform for emerging Indigenous artists to share their stories and connect with audiences. For Calgary, it offers both residents and visitors a chance to experience music that is deeply personal, cultural, and inspiring.