We are excited to announce that Desirée Dawson will be performing at our Festival Afloat 2022 concert in Vancouver!
Desirée Dawson is a JUNO-nominated recording artist, songwriter, producer and yoga teacher. She was born, raised and is currently residing on the, occupied, traditional, unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ / sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) nations (Vancouver BC) and can often be found sharing her music internationally. Desirée is of mixed ancestry, her mother French-Canadian settler ancestry from Ontario, and her father is of African descent from South Carolina.
Desiree is very passionate about music’s role in collective healing, by encouraging listeners to find a connection within themselves and the people and land around them. A CBC radio favorite, Desirée’s music has been featured on numerous CBC programs, has her songs on regular rotation and won the CBC Searchlight contest in 2016. Over the last couple years, Desirée has been chosen for numerous high profile opportunities across the industry, whether as a songwriter in the Discovery Song Camp with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, participant in the Allan Slaight JUNO Masterclass, artist in the Vancouver Folk Fest, juror in the inaugural Black Canadian Music Awards, or various sync placements. She passionately supports her community through a variety of music-based workshops and gatherings. Whether performing solo with her baritone Ukulele, in harmony with her band or leading sound healing workshops, Desirée’s music is made to get us feeling and healing.
Last year over 400 people joined her for a golden evening off Jericho Beach in Vancouver, gathering in solidarity with Heiltsuk Nation to raise over $20k for the Indigenous nation’s legal challenge aimed at protecting the Great Bear Sea. This year she will be joining us again, performing on July 7th in Vancouver, Iy̓ál̓mexw, ʔəy̓alməxʷ (Jericho Beach). Get tickets to her show here!
I really appreciate how RAVEN raises funds so Indigenous communities can protect their rights and integrity to land and culture. I also really appreciate that when there is outreach and education that Indigenous communities are at the centre so we really know what’s at stake.”
Desirée Dawson
Festival Afloat 2022 Salish Sea Tour is a series of concerts for Heiltsuk Nation’s legal challenge protecting the Great Bear Sea and Gitxaała Nation’s campaign to cancel mineral leases on Lax k’naga dzol (Banks Island). Join us and Desirée as we gather on the water to raise funds for Indigenous legal challenges. Tickets are by donation at raventrust.com/paddle.
