Music Bio

Cree, Canadian Folk-Pop Singer-songwriter, Phyllis Sinclair is a member of Kaweschiwasik  (York Factory First Nation) and was born in Churchill, Manitoba. Having penned six albums, Sinclair has performed on stages across the Canada,  the U.S,  Australia and the UK. 

Sinclair taps on the conscience of the established ethos to transform old ways of thinking into new possibilities. Distinguished by Maverick Magazine as a "A Lady of Conviction”, Sinclair's passion and advocacy are evident in her writing that was described by Say Magazine as, "intelligent". Her 2021 release, Ghost Bones, struck a cord with listeners immediately upon its release, propelling Ghost Bones to #1 on the Canadian National Folk, Roots and Blues Chart, Top 100 Albums of 2021 list on the CKUA Radio Network, Top 10 placements on numerous independent, and indigenous radio stations across Canada, and a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination.  In 2024 she was nominated for a Native American Music Award.

Sinclair attracted national attention when her debut album song, North Coast Fisher Wife’s Prayer claimed the coveted "Featured Folk Song" spot in Folk, Roots and World Beat magazine, Penguin Eggs that described her song as ”positively impressive". Her second release, Fathomless Tales from Leviathan's Hole, yielded a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award nomination for Best Folk Acoustic Album. From this album her song, The Manicure , was selected by Musicians with a Cause to be included in their "More Life in the Years" CD compilation. This song was selected out of over 350,000 entries world wide. Dreams of the Washerwomen, her third album, was selected by Radio Canada International's Brazilian sector as a best new recording by a Canadian artist. It also earned her a Best Folk Acoustic Album Award by the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. Phyllis was nominated as Female Entertainer of the Year by the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards for her extensive tours that included Australia and the UK. 

March 1, 2024 welcomed the release of Phyllis Sinclair's latest album, Kiyam (kee-yam), meaning "Let it Be" in her Cree language. This word was often used by her family, and her people to sustain and strengthen in the face of adversity. It restored peace and maintained their cultural ways of knowing, sense of pride and humour through cultural incursions, assimilation attempts, and rapid change. Her album Kiyam is a mix of ancient wisdom with contemporary, upbeat sounds. Sinclair continues to write, perform, speak, teach and guest festivals, radio shows, schools and magazines, bringing her charm, warmth, and wit to each presentation.