Sherryl Sewepagaham, a proud member of the Little Red River Cree Nation in Northern Alberta, stands as a visionary force within the realms of composition, music education, and vocal performance. With an unwavering commitment to the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous song traditions and languages, she has forged a profound connection between Cree culture and sound in all aspects of her work and study. As a 2024 Vanier Scholar and a PhD student in ethnomusicology at the University of British Columbia, her scholarly pursuits embody a lifelong dedication to the intricate relationship between Cree language and song.

With nearly two decades of experience in teaching K-6 music, and in the development of curriculum resources, Sherryl has played a pivotal role in transforming the landscape of Canadian music education and choral music. Her choral compositions, which integrate the Cree language and its cultural rhythms, are now performed and recorded by some of the nation’s most esteemed choirs, including the Canadian Chamber Choir, ProCoro Canada, Luminous Voices, the Vancouver Youth Choir, and the Toronto Children’s Chorus. These works have graced prominent international venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York City, further solidifying her position as a leading force in the contemporary choral music scene.

Sherryl’s artistry also found expression through the now-retired, award-winning Indigenous women’s trio Asani, whose evocative performances brought Indigenous voices to global stages, from the Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington, D.C. to the prestigious MIDEM festival in France. Her work continues to weave Indigenous voices into the broader fabric of global music, making her a trailblazer in both the preservation and innovation of Indigenous musical heritage. Sherryl remains actively engaged in teaching and working at the community level, guiding children, youth, and adults in the reclamation of Cree song practices.