Amanda Rheaume (born May 25, 1982) is a Métis folk singer-songwriter from Canada.
Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario,Wes Smiderle, "Songs in the key of life". Ottawa Citizen, June 5, 2003. Rheaume is a member of the Métis Nation of Ontario with Métis roots from Red River and has Objiwe/Anishinaabe ancestors from Lac Seul, Ontario.Glenn Wilkins, "Rheaume to sing out at Downie tribute concert". Barrie Today, January 24, 2018. She is the granddaughter of Eugène Rhéaume, one of Canada's first Métis members of parliament.
Career Rheaume released a number of EPs, and contributed a song to the 2003 Ottawa compilation Ottawa Indie Vibe,Wes Smiderle, "New CD helps give area artists a boost". Ottawa Citizen, April 4, 2003. before releasing her full-length debut album Light of Another Day in 2011.Peter Simpson, "Songwriter changes her tune; Amanda Rheaume strips down sound to deliver 'authentic' album". Vancouver Sun, September 6, 2011. She supported the album with her first major national concert tour.Hamish MacLean, "Rheaume roots down". Bow Valley Crag and Canyon, September 14, 2011. She also travelled to Afghanistan on several occasions to perform for servicemen in the Canadian military during the War in Afghanistan,Aedan Helmer, "The road is inspiration for Amanda Rheaume". Sault Star, November 29, 2013.
After delving into her family history in more depth, she began writing songs inspired by her Métis heritage on her 2013 album Keep a Fire.Laura Stradiotto, "'Keep a Fire': New album rooted with family history". Sudbury Star, October 24, 2013. The album won the Canadian Folk Music Award for Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year at the 10th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2014,Lynn Saxberg, "Ottawa singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume among folk music award winners". Ottawa Citizen, November 30, 2014. and was a Juno Award nominee for Aboriginal Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2014."Juno 2014 nominees". Winnipeg Free Press, March 24, 2014.
In 2016 she followed up with Holding Patterns,Lynn Saxberg, "Amanda Rheaume weathers the blows". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, May 19, 2016. which was a CFMA nominee for Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year at the 12th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2016.Calum Slingerland, "Canadian Folk Music Awards Announce 2016 Winners". Exclaim!, December 4, 2016.
In 2018, she performed the songs "Now for Plan A" and "The Stranger" at a Gord Downie tribute concert.
In 2019 she released her fourth album, The Skin I'm In.Kyle Mullin, "Amanda Rheaume: The Skin I'm In". Exclaim!, February 19, 2019.
In 2021, Rheaume and ShoShonna Kish of the band Digging Roots cofounded Ishkōdé Records, which releases music by Rheaume, Digging Roots, and singer-songwriters Aysanabee and Morgan Toney.
Her 2022 album The Spaces in Between was produced by Hill Kourkoutis. She received her third CFMA nomination for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year at the 18th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2023.Stephen Cooke, "Madison Violet, Shannon & Tony Quinn among 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award nominees". SaltWire Network, October 5, 2022.
Rheaume is director of operations for the International Indigenous Music Summit, and project coordinator for the creation of a National Indigenous Music Office.
Discography
EPs Unravelling (2003) Even When (2005)Fateema Sayani, "This could be the last stand". Ottawa Citizen, November 10, 2005. If You Never Live (2007)Fateema Sayani, "Rheaume finds her real groove". Ottawa Citizen, June 14, 2007. Kiss Me Back (2009)Fateema Sayani, "The Rheaume world tour". Ottawa Citizen, May 28, 2009.
Albums Light of Another Day (2011) Keep a Fire (2013) Holding Patterns (2016) The Skin I'm In (2019) The Spaces in Between (2022) The Truth We Hold (2025)
References
External links