Regina Leader-Post staff
Country singer/songwriter Jess Moskaluke was among the headliners of the 2025 Saskatchewan Music Awards (SMA), which took place Sunday night at the Regina Performing Arts Centre.
Moskaluke, who grew up in Langenburg and now resides on an acreage near Rocanville, took home the country artist-of-the-year award in addition to single-of-the-year honours for Go Get Er. It was the second year in a row that she claimed both awards.
Winners were announced Sunday in 21 different categories, along with live performances from current and former SMA nominees such as Beau Nectar, Big Tones, The Radiant, Rooky Kamiz, Teagan Littlechief, Erroll Kinistino, and youth performer Ashlyn Wilder.
The complete list of 2025 nominees can be found at saskmusicawards.com/2025-nominees.
The Sask Music awards ceremony is scheduled to be rebroadcast on March 12 by AccessNow TV.
Kinistino — a multi-talented musician, actor, drama instructor, director and writer from Ochapowace Nation — was honoured with the 2025 Indigenous Music Achievement Award during a special presentation on Sunday.
A tribute to Kinistino was led by Regina-based musician Dale McArthur of White Bear First Nation, who told the audience: “Many of us starting out were comforted, supported, and inspired (by Erroll). He continues to inspire the next generation with his music, theatre, radio plays, and kindness that he’s known for by Indigenous communities.”
Sunday’s winners were chosen by music industry jurors and peers from across Canada. Public voting also contributed to selections for album of the year, industry achievement, music company or organization of the year, and venue or festival of the year.
The album-of-the-year award — for records released between Sept. 15, 2023 and Nov. 30, 2024 — went to Regina’s Ella Forrest for Butterflies.
The other winners were:
Afrobeats artist of the year (tie): Melodna of Regina and Rooky Kamiz of Saskatoon
Contemporary Indigenous artist of the year: Teagan Littlechief (Carlyle)
Electronic artist of the year: Tim Damage (Regina)
Hip hop artist of the year: HarveyDent (Saskatoon)
Industry achievement award: Community Arts Mentorship Program (Saskatoon)
Inspirational or spiritual artist of the year: Elenee (Lloydminster)
Instrumental or ambient artist of the year (tie): West of Mabou (Moose Jaw) and Sean Bougie (Saskatoon)
Metal or hard rock artist of the year (tie): Grimelda (Saskatoon) and Kelevra (Regina)
Music company or organization of the year: Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC, Regina)
Music professional of the year: Marvin Chan (Regina)
Music video of the year: Joshua Stade for Gimme One More by The Gladstone (North Battleford)
Pop artist of the year: Beau Nectar (Moose Jaw)
Producer of the year (tie): Bart McKay (Saskatoon) and Chris Dimas (Regina)
R&B artist of the year: Katie Tupper (Saskatoon)
Rock artist of the year: Dump Babes (Saskatoon)
Roots or folk artist of the year: Jake Vaadeland (Cut Knife)
Venue or festival of the year: SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival (Saskatoon)
