SHAILLA WINTER MANITOWABI
Singer-Songwriter | R&B / Hip Hop / Pop Soul | Indigenous Artist

​

​

BIO
Shailla Winter Manitowabi is an Indigenous artist, advocate, and survivor from Wikwemikong
First Nation. Based in Toronto, she blends smooth vibrato, layered vocals, and cinematic
production across R&B, Hip Hop, and Pop Soul. After going missing and being trafficked as a
teenager in 2012, she turned her experiences into powerful music and advocacy. She has
spoken nationally on MMIWG and gender-based violence, and was chosen to present the
National Inquiry’s Book of Recommendations to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Her debut album
Love From, Ms. Manitowabi releases August 26, 2026.

 

ARTIST STATEMENT
As an Indigenous woman, I have survived and lived through many different traumas including
domestic violence and MMIWG (I was a missing person) and I want
my music to inspire other survivors everywhere. I want my music to reflect everything I have
overcome and show other survivors what is possible for their own lives. I managed to not only
overcome these experiences, but survive and thrive.
Music has been such a powerful healing tool for me, and to be able to be that for not only my
people, but for all people, is an honour I do not take lightly. I really want my music to spread
awareness about these injustices so many others do not have to face the same fate.

GENRE & STYLE
• R&B
• Hip Hop / Rap
• Pop Soul

​

CURRENT PROJECT

​

Love From, Ms. Manitowabi

Many of Shailla’s songs are written as if they were letters. A lot of the song themes circle around
romance, betrayal, as well as systemic issues many indigenous peoples face. Shailla touches
on MMIWG, domestic violence, and uses her powerful mezzo soprano vocals to convey her
messages in her letters to the world. Manitowabi is Shailla's last name, deriving from her
Anishnaabek heritage. Manito - Spirit/God , and Wabii - People . Translating to Spiritl People or
people of God. Shaillas Indigenous heritage is something she is very proud of and any chance
she gets to share her culture with people, she takes it and what better way than to teach the
world than through her music.

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/shaillawinter/love-from-msmanitowabi-2?ref=releaseilla Winter
- DistroKid

Released: August 26th, 2026

Nishalicious Records

Track List
1. If You Were Mine
Role: Writer / Performer
Description: A reflective trap-soul track exploring personal growth, emotional cycles, and
healing. Shailla wrote this song after being duped by a secretly married man.
 

2. Used 2 Be Crazy
Role: Writer / Performer
Description: Shailla wrote this song after being burned by a wealthy man, with an ego the size of
mars, who thought his sh*t didn't stink.
 

3. Forever Be Your Beau
Role: Writer / Performer

Description: A soft, melodic R&B track centered on love, vulnerability, and emotional
attachment. Shailla wrote this track about the thrill of the chase & toxic relationships.

4. Pretty Privilege (Radio Edit)
Role: Writer / Performer
Description: A song about the indigenous experience in Canada, MMIWG, and systemic
injustice. Is being pretty really a privilege?

5. 555 (Radio Edit)
Role: Writer / Performer
Description: Shailla wrote this song after enduring a very horrific domestic violence situation with
an MS13 gang member.

6. Chii Miigwech
Role: Writer / Performer
Description: Chii-Miigwech translates to “A big thank you” in Anishnaabemowin. This is Shaillas
thank you letter to Gizhe Manido/God. A song that inspires and motivates others to never give
up their faith, even when faced with adversity.

7. Pretty Privilege (Explicit)
Role: Writer / Performer
Description: A song about the indigenous experience in Canada, MMIWG, and systemic
injustice. Is being pretty really a privilege?

8. Forever Be Your Beau (Explicit)
Role: Writer / Performer
Description: A soft, melodic R&B track centered on love, vulnerability, and emotional
attachment. Shailla wrote this track about the thrill of the chase & toxic relationships.

9. 555 (Explicit)
Role: Writer / Performer
Description: Shailla wrote this song after enduring a very horrific domestic violence situation with
an MS13 gang member.
 

PERFORMANCE & EXPERIENCE
• Public Speaker and Workshop Facilitator (Indigenous rights, MMIWG Advocacy, Beading,
Healing through The Arts, Women's Empowerment, Consulting for Indigenous Peoples,

Proposal Writing, Indigenous Youth Empowerment)
• 10 Years of Experience in Community Programming, Proposal Writing, Music, and
Advocacy-based Initiatives
• Participation in Pageants, Public Platforms Promoting Confidence, Representation, and
Indigenous Excellence
• Ms.Wiikemikoong First Nation 2025 in Regional Canada Pageants
• Talent Finalist Medal for her song “If Your Were Mine” 2025 Regional Canada Pageants
• Winner of the Ms.Essence Award 2025 at Regional Canada Pageants for sharing her
triumphant story about how she escaped Human Trafficking
• Selected to present The Final Book of Recommendations to the Right and Honourable Justin
Trudeau at the Closing Ceremony at the end of the National Inquiry into Missing Indigenous
Women and Girls
• 1st Place Talent Winner in the 2017 Indigenous Talent show for the Indigenous History Month
Celebration by the Native Canadian Center at Yonge & Dundas Square
BRAND THEMES
• Indigenous Empowerment
• Healing and Resilience
• Feminine Strength and Identity
• Advocacy (MMIWG, Human Trafficking Awareness)
• Emotional Storytelling