Veronica Johnny
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Veronica Johnny
| image =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|02|25}}
| origin = Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada
| occupation = musician, arts educator
| years_active = 1997-present
| label = independent
| website = {{URL|https://thejohnnys.com}}
}}
Veronica Johnny is a Canadian First Nations (Cree-Métis) musician, entrepreneur and educator, from Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, in Treaty 8 Territory. She divides her time between Toronto and Northern Ontario, Canada. She is two-spirit.
Biography
Johnny's solo performances blend Indigenous hand drumming, acoustic guitar and hard rock music.{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.indigened.ca/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=IndigenEd |language=en}} In addition to performing, she is also an engineer, event organizer, and producer. She also facilitates workshops in music-business development, marketing, bios/press kits, songwriting, hand drumming, Indigenous culture and art projects.{{Cite web |title=Veronica Johnny - Creators |url=https://www.createtolearn.ca/creatives/veronica-johnny |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Create to Learn}}{{Cite news |last=Aliermo |first=April |date=May 9, 2017 |title=This hand drumming circle is a beating heart in Toronto's Kensington Market |url=https://www.cbc.ca/arts/exhibitionists/this-hand-drumming-circle-is-a-beating-heart-in-toronto-s-kensington-market-1.4106356 |work=CBC Arts}}
In 2015 Johnny founded IndigenEd,{{Cite web |last=Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance |title=Veronica Johnny – Indigenous Artist |url=https://ipaa.ca/indigenous-artist/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |language=en-US}} an Indigenous arts education business focused on creating understanding, and developing approaches for improved wellness. IndigenEd offers in-person and virtual events, workshops, speeches, and art and culture-focused activities.
Johnny is a Cree language student and advocate and has worked on several Cree-language projects, including producing an all-Cree song, "Nisakihtan Kiya Kisoskatowin",{{Cite web |title=nehiyaw nikamonak: oyoyowak ohci nanaskomowin - Cree Language Program |url=https://nwtmetisnation.ca/cree/nehiyaw-nikamonak-oyoyowak-ohci-nanaskomowin/ |website=NWT Métis Nation}} which was released through a project with the NWT Metis Nation.
= The Johnnys =
Established in 2002, The Johnnys are a hard rock band led by co-founders Veronica Johnny (vocals, management) and Dave Johnny (drums), the group's songwriters and only constant members.{{Cite web |title=INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC SUMMIT |url=https://www.indigenousmusicsummit.com/artist-bio.php?ID=102&sort= |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=www.indigenousmusicsummit.com}} Though inspired mainly by '70s rock, The Johnnys' irreverence, punkish edge and Indigenous-influenced lyrics distance them from both classic and contemporary rock scenes.{{Cite web |title=The Johnnys {{!}} CION |url=https://cionorth.ca/music/onstage/johnnys |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=cionorth.ca |language=en}}
The band has released four self-produced records, which have launched several charting singles.{{Cite web |title=Home Page |url=https://www.thejohnnys.com/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=thejohnnysrock |language=en}} The Johnnys have performed in the U.S. and across Canada, been featured on TV and film, and shared stages with musicians including Geordie Johnson, Bif Naked, Stevie Salas, Keith Secola and Crystal Shawanda.{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-05-30 |title=Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival presents five days of Indigenous theatre, dance, and music in June |url=https://kawarthanow.com/2023/05/30/nogojiwanong-indigenous-fringe-festival-presents-five-days-of-indigenous-theatre-dance-and-music-in-june/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=kawarthaNOW |language=en-US}}
Discography
= With The Johnnys =
- I Like It A Lot (2007, independent)
- Louder Faster More Fun (2010, independent)
- ROCK (2013, independent)
- Nisakihtan Kiya Kisoskatowin single (2015, independent)
- Your Girl single (2020, independent)
- Leathers and Feathers (2020, independent)
- Leathers and Feathers (Salas/Gutierrez Remix) (2021, independent)
- Frog in a Pot (Salas/Gutierrez Remix) (2022, independent)
- Butterfly (Salas/Gutierrez Remix) (2022, independent)
= Compilations =
- Warrior Songs (2007, Spirit Magazine)
- Idle No More: Songs for Life Vol. 1 (2013, RPM FM)
- Nehiyaw Nikamonak: Oyoyowin ohci Nanaskomowin (Cree Songs: Howls from Gratitude) (2015, NWT Cree Language Program){{Cite news |date=June 15, 2015 |title=Cree musicians collaborate for album designed to revitalize language |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/cree-musicians-collaborate-for-album-designed-to-revitalize-language-1.3113024 |work=CBC News}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.thejohnnys.com/ The Johnny's official website]
- [https://www.indigened.ca/ IndigenEd official website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnny, Veronica}}
Category:21st-century Canadian musicians
Category:21st-century First Nations people
Category:Canadian rock musicians
Category:Musicians from the Northwest Territories