When Shawnee Kish sings, the power of her voice and her artistic mastery is beyond captivating – it’s natural, elemental and soulful.
Backed by the 91‑piece National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Kish’s Symphony Splash performance promises to be transcendent. “It’s like floating,” the multiple Juno Award nominee says. “Everybody’s energy moving together – it’s mesmerizing. There’s this wave you’re riding as a singer, and you just go.”
Kish is one of two featured Indigenous soloists performing with the NYO at this year’s Splash. Juno-nominated Métis artist Celeigh Cardinal will also take the stage with her own set, bringing another powerful Indigenous voice to this high-profile event.
A Mohawk artist from Six Nations of the Grand River, Kish identifies as Two‑Spirit – a term that bridges gender, spirit and cultural identity. “Two Spirit is a new term, but it’s not a new tradition,” she says. “The Creator made Two Spirit people for very specific reasons.”
That pride flows through her song Two Spirit, formerly titled Way Home, which will appear on her debut album this summer. “It’s a song of prayer,” she says. “There’s so much medicine in music – it helped me when I needed it most.”
Even the structure of her songs carries that heritage. “There’s a heartbeat always,” Kish says. “That reminds me of the powwow drum. It’s in my blood.”
Though she’s performed with orchestras before, this will be her first time with the NYO – and her first visit to Victoria. “My wife used to train here with Team Canada rugby,” she says. “She always promised to show me around.”
Now, with their one-year‑old daughter in tow, Kish will see the city through her wife’s eyes – and offer Splash audiences a glimpse of her own: a performance shaped by heritage, resilience and the raw power of voice.
Returning to Victoria's Inner Harbour Aug. 2 and 3, the re-imagined Spalsh offers expanded community stages, Indigenous and Latin music headliners and an unshakable mission: to make the Victoria Symphony – and symphonic music itself – matter to everyone in the city.
Plan your Symphony Splash experience at victoriasymphony.ca/splash
