'Every song has its place': Yellowknife artist drops new album on national stage

Yellowknife musician Kiera-Dawn Kolson is launching her debut album on Thursday, and she's getting the chance to promote it on a big stage.

Kolson, a Tso'Tine-Gwich'in artist, will perform at Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square for Aboriginal History Month celebrations on Thursday afternoon, where she'll sing songs from The Dawning of a New Era.

"This is my debut album," she says. "It's been a long time coming, I've been chipping away at it the last three years."

Kolson says the 10 tracks are filled with empowering music that touch on a number of Indigenous issues, including missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

"I really love the song Over and Out, because I know people, I know families and I know women whose lives have been stolen," she says.

"If I can use my art to help bring more awareness to their stories and to the families who still don't have answers, then amazing.

"Every song has its place. Every song has helped me one way or another."

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Kolson says people will hear songs about love lost, and about revolution.

"The way I'm approaching this album is from the perspective of modern day storytelling from the perspective of a young Dene woman," she says.

"I think we're in a really powerful time right now where people are open and receptive to hearing this type of music."

She says she's nervous for her performance, but adds that there's no bigger stage to launch her album. Kolson will perform at Yonge-Dundas Square from 4-5 p.m. ET.