OHSOTO’KINO: Chelsie Young on Finding Inspiration and Overcoming Obstacles

Recipient of NMC’s OHSOTO’KINO Recording Bursary, Chelsea Young, discusses her journey, her gratitude for Indigenous trailblazers, and how an escape from domestic violence led her to a career in music with David McLeod, Chair of NMC’s National Indigenous Programming Advisory Committee.

Originally from the Bigstone Cree Nation in Northern Alberta and now based in Edmonton, Chelsie Young has been honing her skills from an early age. She likes to call her music, “Tomboy Country,” because she doesn’t fall into the same mold as other female artists and is blazing her own path in her own rough and tumble way. Her powerful voice, relatable storytelling, and innate ability to convey emotion through her music has made her one to watch. In 2024, she received studio time at Studio Bell to record a commercial album. Stay tuned for the release of this special project!

With support from TD, National Music Centre (NMC) is creating more opportunities for Indigenous artists through the OHSOTO’KINO initiative. OHSOTO’KINO is an Indigenous programming initiative focusing on three elements: creation of new music in NMC’s recording studios, artist development through a music incubator program, and exhibitions via the annually updated Speak Up! gallery.

Learn more: studiobell.ca/ohsotokino


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