The music we share
Métis Musicians Brandi Vezina and Ashley Bieniarz embrace cultural identity through music, family, and community
In Métis culture, music can shape and impact people in spiritual and transformative ways, especially for two local musicians, Brandi Vezina and Ashley Bieniarz.
These singers/songwriters know each other through Manitoba’s music community and share quite a bit in common: they find power in singing, songwriting, and playing instruments — and are proud Métis women.
Both women are also university graduates from separate programs at the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg. Vezina and Bieniarz met years ago through Winnipeg’s small but collective music world, and in 2019 they spoke on a podcast together.
Now their stories cross over once again — this time through individual narratives that follow a collective passion for music and Métis identity.
Rural Métis roots
Vezina comes from a family that is fully immersed in music. Her mother and brother are singer-songwriters and her grandparents have always made music. Even her great uncle was a well-known traditional Métis fiddle player, Tommy Knott.
“I love singing. I love being around music. There’s like a spiritual essence to it,” she said.
Vezina grew up outside the city in a community called Stony Point, north of Winnipeg near Grand Beach and Brokenhead First Nation.
When Vezina was younger, her grandparents used to throw big parties. Music would surround the community that ranged from clanging spoon solos to strumming guitar chords. “There was always music around as part of our identity,” she said.
“I was around my culture my entire life, so I was very fortunate,” she said. Vezina has always been close to her Métis roots, primarily through spending time with family.
She said her grandmother was always proud to be Métis and was actively involved with the Manitoba Métis Federation from its inception in 1967. The MMF is the government of the Red River Métis Nation. It prioritizes the preservation of Métis heritage and culture through education, advocacy, and resistance to cultural assimilation.
While her paternal grandmother celebrated her heritage, her maternal grandfather whom she calls Papa, struggled with his Métis identity throughout his life.
She shared that her grandfather was ashamed of his identity because segregation, racism, and systemic discrimination were very prevalent in their community. During this time, Indigenous Peoples were turned away from jobs for having darker skin and ostracized for the way they spoke.
“He grew up in a different world where they faced actual violent, intentional racism and he felt the effects of that,” she said.
Despite this adversity, her Papa has since embraced his Métis identity. He is a revered elder in his community. “I can say now my Papa, being 88 years old, he will die proud to be Métis,” Vezina said.
Métis identity reconnection
This year during Festival du Voyageur, Bieniarz wore a colourful woven sash across her shoulder and upper body. The Métis sash holds deep cultural significance as a symbol of identity and heritage.
Bieniarz sat behind a piano keyboard and introduced herself to a crowd of people packed into a small wooden building at Fort Gibraltar. “Hello, my name is KWIAT, that’s K-W-I-A-T,” she spelled out for everyone.
This name was carefully selected. Métis, recognized as the flower-beading people, inspired her choice. By adopting the Polish term for 'flower' — 'kwiat' — she pays homage to her dual heritage, uniting her Métis and Polish roots under a single name.
“Eventually it ended up being more true to who I was than anything,” she said.
Festival du Voyageur has always been a bucket list show for Bieniarz — one she can now check off. “Performing here — it's an incredible, exciting thing and I'm so honoured,” she said.
She’s been playing music since she was three when her mother enrolled her in piano lessons. She said music is her favourite creative outlet. “I’ve just been involved in music my entire life. I couldn’t find another way to express myself,” she said.
“In some of my songs, I talk about feeling lost and like not sure where to go and one of the things that really helped me find who I am was embracing and learning more about the Métis culture,” she said.
Bieniarz said it wasn’t until she started connecting with the Indigenous community — especially the music community — here in Manitoba and connecting with other Métis artists that she began to feel a sense of belonging.
Growing up, she recalls her grandmother being ashamed to be Métis and trying to hide her heritage and cultural identity. But since reconnecting with her Métis background, she said discovering her ancestors’ history has been a powerful experience.
Unlike Vezina’s family, Bieniarz’s parents aren’t musically inclined — but she’s been told that her maternal grandmother was.
“I heard she was a singer and had a beautiful voice, but I can’t remember ever meeting her,” she said.
A 100-year-old piano, once belonging to her Métis grandmother and one she played on as a child, now resides in her home. “I like to think that she played it and sung, and now I get to,” she said.
The power of Métis recognition
An Albert Braz novel, called The False Traitor, shines a light on Canada’s colonialism and settler perspectives that portray Indigenous Peoples in shockingly inconsistent ways throughout history.
The book’s introduction mentions Louis Riel as being imperative to settler and Indigenous relations — but many people aren’t taught about this part of history.
“Growing up you learn in school that he’s a traitor and that he was against the Canadian government. But he was really just so brave for what he was doing and really fought for what he believed in,” Bieniarz said.
Louis Riel Day was recognized as a statutory holiday in 2007 and this year he was credited with being Manitoba’s first Premier.
“This is a really nice gesture, but there is still a lot of work to be done not only for the Métis but for the Inuit and First Nation communities here,” Bieniarz said.
Vezina shared a similar experience to Bieniarz when she was younger. “When I was in high school, the textbooks did still write that Louis Riel was a traitor, and it was the Red River Rebellion,” she said.
Vezina once did a family tree project in school, outlining her Métis ancestry. “Oh my God, it was like shameful. I remember I was associated with a rebellion — like a goddamn rebellion,” she said. “I was like treasonous… that’s insane.”
She feels that history is starting to be corrected. “I’m grateful that he was finally recognized,” Vezina said.
As an elementary school teacher, Vezina said she’s noticed the social studies curriculum in Manitoba has been changing. Students are now learning about the fur trade and the true history of the Métis. Vezina said children are finally being taught that Louis Riel was brave and stood up for his people.
“So, I can say in my own lifetime that history has rewritten itself. It’s amazing and I’m thankful that he’s finally given respect where respect is due,” Vezina said.
Vezina recognizes that representation matters and as a Métis educator, she enjoys spreading cultural knowledge to the younger generations. She often works with children in grades five and six.
Through personally connecting with students and curriculum evolution, Vezina has noticed students are absorbing Indigenous history and culture. “I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to impart on my learners … to be proud of who they are,” she said.
Just the other day a teacher called her into their classroom to speak about being Métis. She wore her cultural sash and spoke to kids about her experiences. “They really were interested,” she said.
Métis through musical expression
Vezina grew up with fiddling, jigging, and more Métis traditions. “That was in my home — that’s what I saw so there’s no separation from Métis cultural music and my identity like they go part and parcel,” Vezina said.
Her connection to family and music transcends everything. She still has her Granny’s guitar which she often plays on stage during her shows. Her Granny also sings in the chorus with her on her single called Dodged a Bullet.
“Wherever I go, I will always carry my Métis culture with me,” she said.
Because Vezina grew up immersed in her culture, she never felt displaced from it.
“For some people, they might not have grown up in their culture … but they’re reconciling that. They’re figuring out and finding who they are and who their people are,” Vezina said.
This rings true for Bieniarz — who is still finding ways to reconnect with her heritage and ancestry.
“I was like ‘I don’t really know who I am. Am I Métis enough?’ and that's something a lot of Métis who haven’t grown up with the culture feel,” Bieniarz said.
“As I’m learning and becoming more confident in who I am, it’s inspiring me to write music for people who are in this same situation — who want to find who they are or need somewhere to look,” she said.
Both musicians continue to explore their Métis identities through their music and hope to encourage others to embrace their heritage and find strength in their cultural roots.
As they navigate their own journeys of self-discovery and connection, Brandi Vezina and Ashley Bieniarz exemplify the power of music to bridge the past, present, and future of Métis culture.
Author’s note: A huge thank you to Brandi Vezina and Ashley Bieniarz for your time, effort, and collaboration on this article.
Click here to redirect to the website for Brandi Vezina.
Click here to redirect to the website for KWIAT (Ashley Bieniarz).