LLOYDMINSTER - There was a lot of excitement at the 35th annual Saskatchewan Country Music Association (SCMA) Awards on June 23 at the Vic Juba Theatre in Lloydminster, when Teagan Littlechief of the White Bear First Nation (WBFN) was nominated for three separate awards, Indigenous Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and Fan Favourite.
For the third year in a row, Littlechief, who hails from the White Bear First Nation, won the Indigenous Artist of the year award, but she also made history that night. Littlechief became the first Indigenous woman to win Female Artist of the Year Award. To say she is excited is an understatement.
She cried and has dreamt for many years about winning this award.
Once Littlechief was out of shock, she said, “I am completely honoured, quite surprised and just overall excited.”
At the ceremony, Littlechief wore special beaded items that had been created just for her by Shaylee Shepherd and represented her White Bear community. The earrings she wore were made by her aunt Angel McArthur.
Her manager Pinky Simms flew in from B.C. to be at the side of Littlechief during the week and at the awards night.
Littlechief performed at the gala affair by singing Need you to Go, which she wrote. She was introduced as having a voice bigger than White Bear. Simms said that the excitement of the night is something she will always remember, and the anticipation of wins was exhilarating.
Simms said that Littlechief has worked so hard to get where she is today.
“I am honoured she has asked me to be part of her journey, and I cannot wait to see the doors these wins will open,” said Simms.
Littlechief is a school teacher at the White Bear Education Complex.
In the past, Littlechief has struggled with alcohol addiction but her sobriety has brought her to the high in her life now. She often speaks at functions about these issues to bring awareness.
Over the past several weeks, Need you to Go, has hit the number 1 spot on the Indigenous radio station and this has also given Littlechief something to celebrate.
Among the other award winners at the event was Last Birds, the North Portal-based folk duo comprised of husband-and-wife duo Mike Davis and Lindsay Arnold. They brought home the award for Alternative Country Album of the Year for Endless Turn of Day into Night. They were also up for the Group of the Year and Songwriter of the Year Awards.
In a Facebook post, Last Birds thanked all of those who helped make the award possible for providing their time, talents and funding to the duo.
Former Estevan resident Chris Henderson was a finalist for Male Artist of the Year, while 2019 Estevan Sings winner Karissa Hoffart was up for the top female artist award.
With files from Stephanie Zoer.
