It’s a long way from the dirt roads of Saddle Lake Cree Nation in central Alberta to the bright lights of Los Angeles, California, but Tia Wood followed her heart from the Rez to the City of Angels to make her musical dreams come true. Her powerful, soulful voice carries the spirit of her peoples’ songs that have echoed from her homelands since time immemorial, and the musical roots of her family tree run deep. Growing up in a home rich with music and culture, she began singing as soon as she could talk, inspired and nurtured by her parents, siblings, and her dual Plains Cree and Coast Salish heritage. So Tia believes it was inevitable that she’s now blazing her own trail as a solo artist, with her debut recordings being released by Sony Music this spring. “When I was younger, this kind of stuff is something I dreamed about, but just never would say out loud because I never thought it was reachable,” says the 24 year old. “But it’s just so cool. I’m just so grateful.” Tia also calls it “surreal” to go from the western edges of the Canadian Prairies to the west coast metropolis of Los Angeles. Saddle Lake Cree Nation is a community of about 6000 people in Treaty 6 territory, about a two-hour drive east of the Alberta capital of Edmonton. Her home community is where Tia’s musical journey began; her first experiences on stage were performing with her family, singing traditional music at powwows, schools, community events, and various showcases. Presented by Gold-Diggers. This is an 21+ event