FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Jerry Cans announced as headliner at Athabasca Tribal Council’s Cultural Festival Fort McMurray, AB – September 3, 2019 - The Jerry Cans, a high-energy, fast-rising group from the Arctic, have been announced as the headline musical act for the Friday, September 20th concert at the upcoming Athabasca Tribal Council Cultural Festival taking place from September 19-21, 2019 at Snye Point Park in Fort McMurray. “We are incredibly excited that The Jerry Cans will be headlining our first-ever Cultural Festival,” says Karla Buffalo, CEO of Athabasca Tribal Council. “Their dedication to preserving the Indigenous language and culture is aligned with our values making them a excellent fit.” The fast rising northern stars, The Jerry Cans, create music inspired by their hometown of , . With their unique mix of alt-country, throat singing, and reggae, the Jerry Cans are a distinctly northern, one-of-a-kind group. The band performs many of their songs in Inuktitut, and is passionate about preserving the language even as the north and their home community of Iqaluit evolve. The 11th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2015 saw the band nominated for Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year and Pushing the Boundaries awards. In 2018 The Jerry Cans were nominated at the Juno Awards for Breakthrough Group of the Year and Contemporary Roots Album of the Year. They are committed to representing northerners and to challenging common misperceptions they have encountered about life in the Arctic; their music evokes the contemporary north and the spirited people that reside there. It is not only the political motives, but their rapidly developing reputation for getting elders and young people dancing, that has forced people to start noticing this high-energy group. This truly unique band, made up of Andrew Morrison (Vocals/Guitar), Nancy Mike (Accordion/Throat Singing), Gina Burgess (Violin), Brendan Doherty (Bass) and Steve Rigby (Drums) will take you on a stroll through the streets of Iqaluit to share a glimpse of life in Arctic. More information about The Jerry Cans can be found on their website at www.thejerrycans.com The 2019 inaugural three-day festival will include 20+ workshops and seminars for artists and the public, 100+ local, national, and international Indigenous artists and performers, an exhibition gallery and gift shop featuring work by local and national artists, a round dance and tea dance with a Community Feast presented by Imperial Oil, artist demonstrations and cultural presentations, and mainstage shows featuring, of course, The Jerry Cans, as well as regional performers. For a full- entertainment line-up on the River’s Edge Mainstage presented by CNRL please visit www.atcculturalfestival.ca. -30- About ATC Athabasca Tribal Council is an organization that serves our First Nations by providing relevant and innovative programs and services that enrich the well-being, health and prosperity of its people. ATC is committed to ensuring the protection of inherent rights, Treaty Rights, and their Traditional Territories while respecting the autonomy of each Nation. For information visit atcfn.ca. To arrange media interviews or for more information please contact: Elena Gould Director of Education, Culture and Language, Athabasca Tribal Council [email protected] | Phone: 780.791.6538 ext. 261 | Cell: 780.881.6137