Neebin's Music Fund

Neebin's Music Fund honours the memory of Neebin Armstrong.

Neebin’s family, the Caring Society, and inPath have come together to honour Neebin’s memory by establishing an annual fund. It offers Indigenous youth an opportunity to create music and share it with their communities and the rest of the world. Our hope is that the music created through Neebin’s Music Fund will inspire healing and wellness in as many Indigenous communities as possible.

Through an application process, Indigenous music artists between the ages of 15-30 are invited to share their story, including how they would create music to contribute to positive change in their world. 

We are thrilled to announce the 2023 recipients of Neebin's Music Fund. Congratulations to the grand prize winner, Faith Desmoulin, and recipients DYLN and Lovina Tootoosis!

Neebin's Music Fund logo

Faith Desmoulin (Grand Prize)

Faith Desmoulin is an acclaimed solo Indigenous Musician from Wiikwemikoong First Nation 'Wiky'. Faith Desmoulin was around music for most of her life. She began playing piano at age 8 (by ear) and later picked up singing at the age of 11. She was discovered by her father Brian Simon, lead singer for 'Johnny Cash tribute and the Wiky 3'. There are a variety of artists that have had an influence on shaping Faith's signature sound. Her biggest inspirations being Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Johnny Cash, Queen, David Bowie, and Billie Eilish. Faith Desmoulin seeks to offer something different and unique to her fans by creating and performing original music that they are proud to call their own.

DYLN (Recipient)

DYLN is an artist born and raised in the North hailing from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. DYLN is proudly Deh Cho Dene using the power of storytelling for others to peer into the complex landscape of his heritage. With his production and signature style that effortlessly weaves narratives with vivid portraits, DYLN's music is diverse. He doesn't work alone though; Ice Cold Collective is a group of his peers also emerging from Yellowknife. With appearances and production offered to Narlz B, Kid Gali, Northwyne, Yake'ula and more. There isn't a lack of music within the sphere of influence DYLN orbits.

Lovina Tootoosis (Recipient)

Unleashing the power of music, Lovina Tootoosis ignites hearts and souls with her soul-stirring melodies. Hailing from Poundmaker Cree Nation, this trailblazing singer-songwriter seamlessly weaves her Cree heritage into every note she strums. As a member of an incredible band, Sëdézë, Lovina creates sonic landscapes that captivate audiences worldwide. Beyond the spotlight, she’s worked tirelessly as a youth care worker and Indigenous youth advocate, empowering the next generation to embrace their cultural roots and soar to new heights.

Honouring Neebin

Neebin was an Anishinaabe boy who loved to rap, write and produce music. When words were not always within reach, music gave Neebin a chance to express himself and reflect on things that were hard to talk about. Neebin worked with his friends to create the song “Important to Us” at the age of 10 in a school project, which ultimately spawned his interest in the arts. Neebin passed to the spirit world at the age of 12 and  it left a lasting impact on his community & beyond. As they approached their high school graduation, Neebin’s friends wanted to honour his memory with a song. In collaboration with N’we Jinan’s Mobile Production Studio program supported by inPath, they created a music video project called “Honour You.”  

  • "Important to Us"

    Song created by Neebin and friends at Pierre Elliot School in 2015 for the album *N'we Jinan The Gathering Volume 2.*
    Watch the video

  • "Honour You"

    With the support of InPath, Neebin's friends created a song in his honour for their graduating year of high school in 2022.
    Watch the video

  • N’we Jinan ArtWorks Program

    ArtWorks supports youth gain work experience in the creative sector, sharpening their entrepreneurial skills, connecting with creatives from coast to coast, and growing alongside a network of other young, Indigenous creatives.
    Learn more about the program

  • inPath

    inPath's mission is to nurture a network of support for Indigenous youth and artists through arts-based learning, job skills training, and mentorship.
    Learn more about inPath

Current & Past Recipients

Coming soon!