{{short description|Canadian musician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Amanda Rheaume | image = Amanda Rheaume - Kranhaus Elmshorn 2016 04.jpg | caption = Amanda Rheaume at Kranhaus Elmshorn, April 2016 | image_size = | background = solo_singer | birth_name = Amanda Rheaume | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|05|25}} | birth_place = Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | origin = Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | instrument = Vocals, guitar, piano | genre = Americana, folk | occupation = Singer-songwriter, artist manager, label owner | years_active = 2003–present | label = {{hlist|Universal Music Canada|Ishkōdé Records}} | website = {{URL|https://www.amandarheaume.com/}} }}
'''Amanda Rheaume''' (born May 25, 1982) is a Métis folk singer-songwriter from Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amanda Rheaume talks about new album, decolonizing the music industry |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/amanda-rheaume-talks-about-new-album-decolonizing-the-music-industry |date=May 25, 2022 |website=Ottawa Citizen |author=Lynn Saxberg |language=en-CA}}</ref>
Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario,<ref name=smiderle>Wes Smiderle, "Songs in the key of life". ''Ottawa Citizen'', June 5, 2003.</ref> 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.<ref name=wilkins>Glenn Wilkins, [https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/rheaume-to-sing-out-at-downie-tribute-concert-821064 "Rheaume to sing out at Downie tribute concert"]. ''Barrie Today'', January 24, 2018.</ref> 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'',<ref>Wes Smiderle, "New CD helps give area artists a boost". ''Ottawa Citizen'', April 4, 2003.</ref> before releasing her full-length debut album ''Light of Another Day'' in 2011.<ref>Peter Simpson, "Songwriter changes her tune; Amanda Rheaume strips down sound to deliver 'authentic' album". ''Vancouver Sun'', September 6, 2011.</ref> She supported the album with her first major national concert tour.<ref>Hamish MacLean, "Rheaume roots down". ''Bow Valley Crag and Canyon'', September 14, 2011.</ref> She also travelled to Afghanistan on several occasions to perform for servicemen in the Canadian military during the War in Afghanistan,<ref>Aedan Helmer, "The road is inspiration for Amanda Rheaume". ''Sault Star'', November 29, 2013.</ref>
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''.<ref>Laura Stradiotto, "'Keep a Fire': New album rooted with family history". ''Sudbury Star'', October 24, 2013.</ref> The album won the Canadian Folk Music Award for Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year at the 10th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2014,<ref>Lynn Saxberg, [https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/local-arts/ottawa-singer-songwriter-amanda-rheaume-among-folk-music-award-winners "Ottawa singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume among folk music award winners"]. ''Ottawa Citizen'', November 30, 2014.</ref> and was a Juno Award nominee for Aboriginal Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2014.<ref>"Juno 2014 nominees". ''Winnipeg Free Press'', March 24, 2014.</ref>
In 2016 she followed up with ''Holding Patterns'',<ref>Lynn Saxberg, "Amanda Rheaume weathers the blows". ''Saskatoon Star-Phoenix'', May 19, 2016.</ref> which was a CFMA nominee for Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year at the 12th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2016.<ref>Calum Slingerland, [https://exclaim.ca/music/article/canadian_folk_music_awards_announce_2016_winners "Canadian Folk Music Awards Announce 2016 Winners"]. ''Exclaim!'', December 4, 2016.</ref>
In 2018, she performed the songs "Now for Plan A" and "The Stranger" at a Gord Downie tribute concert.<ref name=wilkins/>
In 2019 she released her fourth album, ''The Skin I'm In''.<ref>Kyle Mullin, [https://exclaim.ca/music/article/amanda_rheaume-the_skin_im_in "Amanda Rheaume: The Skin I'm In"]. ''Exclaim!'', February 19, 2019.</ref>
In 2021, Rheaume and ShoShonna Kish of the band Digging Roots cofounded Ishkōdé Records,<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2021 |title=Digging Roots' ShoShana Kish, Amanda Rheaume launch Ishkōdé Records, sign Aysanabee |url=https://indie88.com/digging-roots-shoshana-kish-amanda-rheaume-launch-ishkode-records-sign-aysanabee/ |website=Indie88 |author=Chelsea Brimstin |language=en-US}}</ref> which releases music by Rheaume, Digging Roots, and singer-songwriters Aysanabee and Morgan Toney.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Canadian Labels: Ishkōdé Records Ignites the Spirit of the Eighth Fire |url=https://amplify.nmc.ca/canadian-labels-ishkode-records-ignites-the-spirit-of-the-eighth-fire/ |website=National Music Centre |author=David McPherson |language=en-US}}</ref>
Her 2022 album ''The Spaces in Between'' was produced by Hill Kourkoutis.<ref name=rmc>{{Cite web |date=March 11, 2022 |title=Check out Amanda Rheaume's new single, 'All Sides of Me' |website=Roots Music Canada |url=https://www.rootsmusic.ca/2022/03/11/check-out-amanda-rheaumes-new-single-all-sides-of-me/ |language=en-US}}</ref> She received her third CFMA nomination for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year at the 18th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2023.<ref>Stephen Cooke, [https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/lifestyles/madison-violet-shannon-tony-quinn-among-2023-canadian-folk-music-award-nominees-100780446/ "Madison Violet, Shannon & Tony Quinn among 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award nominees"]. ''SaltWire Network'', October 5, 2022.</ref>
Rheaume is director of operations for the International Indigenous Music Summit,<ref name=rmc/> and project coordinator for the creation of a National Indigenous Music Office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=JOURNEYS {{!}} International Indigenous Music Summit Kicks off June 8th |url=https://www.cfnrfm.ca/2021/06/04/journeys-international-indigenous-music-summit-kicks-off-june-8th/ |date=June 4, 2021 |website=CFNR-FM |language=en}}</ref>
== Discography ==
===EPs=== *''Unravelling'' (2003)<ref name=smiderle/> *''Even When'' (2005)<ref>Fateema Sayani, "This could be the last stand". ''Ottawa Citizen'', November 10, 2005.</ref> *''If You Never Live'' (2007)<ref>Fateema Sayani, "Rheaume finds her real groove". ''Ottawa Citizen'', June 14, 2007.</ref> *''Kiss Me Back'' (2009)<ref>Fateema Sayani, "The Rheaume world tour". ''Ottawa Citizen'', May 28, 2009.</ref>
===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 == <!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. --> {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{official website|http://www.amandarheaume.com/}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rheaume, Amanda}} Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century Canadian women singers Category:Canadian women singer-songwriters Category:Canadian folk singer-songwriters Category:Members of the Métis Nation of Ontario Category:Singers from Ottawa Category:Canadian Folk Music Award winners Category:21st-century Canadian singer-songwriters Category:Métis musicians