Diversity of aboriginal artists showcased before gala

Nominees for Aboriginal Album of the Year at the Juno awards want people to know their music may not sound like what you instantly think of.

The diverse music of Canada's aboriginal communities and five nominees for that award were honoured at Ottawa City Hall Saturday afternoon.

"It's not just powwow music and it's not just folk music," said Vancouver's Murray Porter. "We have rappers, hip-hoppers, jazz artists, classical artists, blues artists like myself . . ."

Other nominees include country artist Donny Parenteau, drummer Randy Wood, Ottawa-based electronic fusion group Flying Down Thunder and Rise Ashen and Winnipeg trio Bruthers of Different Muthers.

"Our whole group is Ishnabe, we're natives from Manitoba," said Michel Bruyere of Bruthers of Different Muthers.

"As much as we sing about our identity and stuff, it just comes across as a fun manner and our music is a positive message."

Their category will be among the more than 30 given out Saturday night at the Ottawa Convention Centre.

The remaining seven will be awarded Sunday night at Scotiabank Place.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Claudia Cautillo