Florent Vollant

Florent Vollant (born August 10, 1959 in Labrador) is a Canadian singer-songwriter. An Innu from Maliotenam, Quebec, he was half of the popular folk music duo Kashtin, one of the most significant musical groups in First Nations history.[1] He has subsequently released four solo albums.[2]

Florent Vollant
Florent Vollant performing in 2006
Background information
Born (1959-08-10) August 10, 1959
Labrador, Canada
GenresFolk
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Websiteflorentvollant.com

In 1997, Vollant built his own recording studio – Makusham – on the reserve which is used by musicians inside and outside the community.[3] His solo album Puamuna, which means 'dreams' in Innu, was the first time Vollant recorded a full album in his own studio.[4] His Innu-language album of Christmas songs, Nipaiamianan, earned him an apostolic blessing from Pope John Paul II,[5] as well as the Juno Award for Aboriginal Recording of the Year in 2001.[6]

In 2020, he served as executive producer of Call Me Human (Je m'appelle humain), Kim O'Bomsawin's documentary film about Innu poet Joséphine Bacon. In 2023 he served as an executive producer on O'Bomsawin's documentary television series Telling Our Story.[7]

He is also a mentor to Nikamu Mamuitun, a collective of emerging First Nations musicians including Marcie Michaud-Gagnon, Joëlle St-Pierre, Kanen, Chloé Lacasse, Scott-Pien Picard, Matiu, Cédrik St-Onge and Ivan Boivin.[8]

He won the Félix Award for Indigenous Artist of the Year at the 41st Félix Awards in 2019.[9]

Discography
  • Katak (2003)
  • Nipaiamianan (2005)
  • Eku Mamu (2009)
  • Puamuna (2015)
  • Mishta Meshkenu (2018)[10]

References
  1. Wheeler, Kim (23 May 2012). "National Aboriginal Day celebrated with Kashtin reunion". No. Aboriginal. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CBC Music. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  2. Bolton, Ken (26 June 2014). "Makushan-maker". Beese Entertainment Publishing. What's Up Yukon. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  3. Tittley, Nicolas (July 14, 2015). "Florent Vollant: Rooted Nomad". Words and Music. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  4. "Florent Vollant on life after Kashtin". Ottawa Citizen. 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2018-08-15.
  5. "2012 Festival Artists". Mariposa Folk Festival. Mariposa Folk Foundation. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  6. Cote, Abby. "New journey begins for Vollant: Aboriginal Juno nominees honored". Aboriginal Multi-Media Society (AMMSA). Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  7. "TELLING OUR STORY (Laissez-nous raconter) en sélection officielle au TIFF". CTVM, August 15, 2023.
  8. Philippe Papineau, "La forêt enchantée de Nikamu Mamuitun". Le Devoir, September 13, 2019.
  9. "Le Félix de Florent Vollant : une fierté partagée". Ici Radio-Canada Côte-Nord, October 28, 2019.
  10. "Mishta Mishkenu by Florent Vallant on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
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