APCMA, Manito Ahbee quickly approaching

The fifth annual Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards (APCMA) is set for Nov. 4 and 5 in Winnipeg, Man. Voting for the awards ends Oct. 6.
The first night of the awards, RBC Oshkii awards night, will be at the Fort Garry and the main award show, hosted by Lorne Cardinal, takes place at the MTS Centre Nov. 5.
Both shows will showcase the finest in Aboriginal music and will give awards for various categories. APTN is set to air both nights.
The awards are part of the Manito Ahbee Festival, a festival celebrating the art, music, and culture of Aboriginal people. It lets people who come know that the culture is fresh, modern and relevant as the new millennium starts.
Aside from the awards, there is also an international powwow competition Nov. 6 and 7. At the MTS Centre. The powwow will also be webcast live on powwows.com.
The powwow also includes a Miss Manito Ahbee Pageant, giving Aboriginal girls the chance to become a role model and the opportunity to travel meeting new people attending different powwows across North America.
The weeklong festival also includes an Education Conference to be held at the Convention Centre Nov. 4. The theme of this conference is Saving Our Mother Earth. Students ranging from grade 7 to grade 12 can take part in workshops such as Native Languages, Traditional Medicines, Aboriginal Literature and Digital Storytelling
Along with these events, there will be an Indigenous Marketplace and Trade Show at the MTS Centre Nov. 6 and 7. This will highlight products and services provided by businesses from all nations. This includes arts, crafts, clothing, and much more.
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The APCMA will present awards in the following categories:
• Aboriginal Female Entertainer of the Year (Andrea Menard, Inez, Shy-Anne)
• Aboriginal Male Entertainer of the Year (Billy Joe Green, Joey Stylez, Shane Yellowbird)
• Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year
• Best Country CD
• Best Folk / Acoustic CD
• Best Hand Drum CD
• Best New Artist
• Best Pop CD
• Best Pow Wow CD - Contemporary
• Best Pow Wow CD – Traditional
The RBC Oshkii awards night will present awards in the following categories:
• Best Aboriginal Music Radio Station/Program
• Best Album Cover Design
• Best Blues CD
• Best Duo or Group
• Best Fiddle CD
• Best Gospel CD
• Best Music Video
• Best Peyote CD
• Best Producer/Engineer
• Best Rap / Hip Hop CD
• Best Rock CD
• Single of the Year