nêhiyawak ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐊᐧᐠ hails from amiskwaciy (Edmonton) on Treaty 6 territory. Comprised of Kris Harper, Matthew Cardinal and Marek Tyler—three Indigenous musicians coalesce at the intersection between traditional and contemporary music. Their sound is at times loud and sweeping, and in other moments—reticent and careful and blends the steady beats of carved cedar log and hand drums with their synth and rock guitar sound.

nêhiyawak tells stories—their stories—capturing time through honeyed and haunting vocals, swaying in and out of the cacophony of electronic and analog sounds. Within the framework of the conventional song, the band creates and adds their own history. Collecting and piecing together their experiences—existing simultaneously between diverse and disparate cultures—nêhiyawak shares with its audience their unique expression of Indigeneity in Canada today.

nêhiyawak ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐊᐧᐠ

Pronunciation: neh-Hee-o-wuk (emphasis on 2nd syllable)

Meanings: Cree people, People of the Plains, Plains People, Exact People

Sound House is MOA’s new music series, now in its second season, featuring a fantastic and eclectic lineup of Vancouver bands and musicians—from folk to funk, hip hop to jazz. Sound House is a celebration of culture and music, set in MOA’s Haida House, against a stunning backdrop of Northwest Coast art and architecture. Gather around the toasty bonfire outside with friends, and let the picturesque views and scent of cedar inhabit your senses. Sound House delivers surprises and delights on the first Thursday of each month.