Matt Maw is helping define the future of Indigenous representation in Canada’s music industry. As president and lead artist manager at Red Music Rising, he oversees a roster that includes Sebastian Gaskin, Boogey the Beat, Nimkish, Wolf Saga, Drives the Common Man and LOR — artists expanding the reach of Indigenous music across the country and beyond. Over the past year, Gaskin celebrated his first Juno Award win and became the first artist in residence at Massey Hall and Boogey the Beat toured extensively with Snotty Nose Rez Kids.

Maw also collaborates with MusiCounts, the Indigenous Music Office, CARAS, SaskMusic, Manitoba Music and other national organizations to support mentorship and education for emerging Indigenous artists and communities. “My prime motivation is the exponential groundswell of support and attention paid to emerging Indigenous talent in this country,” he says. “We’re reclaiming our stories, maintaining autonomy and actively challenging the narrative around what ‘Indigenous music’ looks and sounds like in this country.”