Blue Moon Marquee – Jasmine Colette & A.W. Cardinal

A.W., who is half Cree and Métis, grew up facing the deep impacts of intergenerational trauma. His mother was a survivor of the Sixties Scoop, and his childhood was marked by poverty and instability. Music became his way through—his healing, his expression, and his connection to identity.

When his father gave him a guitar and said, “You came from a broken home—you may need this,” it set him on a path that would shape his life.

Jasmine was raised by settler parents who worked closely with Indigenous communities, and her stepfather is Cree and Haida. With a deep respect for culture and a shared love of music, she and A.W. began performing together as Blue Moon Marquee over 12 years ago. Despite years of financial hardship, health issues, and doing everything on their own, they never gave up. Their music and love for each other kept them going.

In 2024, their relentless dedication was rewarded with a Juno Award, and in 2025, they earned a Juno nomination once again. The next key moment in their journey came when they secured funding from the NEDC, which allowed them to build a small team and focus on the business side of their music. With NEDC’s support, they feel an overwhelming sense of love and encouragement that has empowered them to grow their business. For A.W. and Jasmine, music is more than just a career—it’s a passion and a calling that brings healing, tells stories, and is driven by love.