Florent Vollant (b. 1959)
Alias:
Kashtin
Born:
August 10, 1959
Florent Vollant, an Innu singer-songwriter, was born in Labrador in 1959 and grew up on the Maliotenam reserve east of Sept-Îles. In the 1980s, he helped create the Innu Nikamu Festival, which has since become an annual showcase for Indigenous talent. With his partner Claude McKenzie, he formed the duo Kashtin, which made history by recording three successful albums between 1989 and 1995. Their music took them to international stages, making Kashtin the first Quebec Indigenous group. A fervent defender of the environment, he was awarded the title of Artist for Peace in 1994. Involved in his community, he created the Makusham studio, offering a platform to young Indigenous musicians. His solo career is equally impressive, with critically acclaimed albums and prestigious collaborations. In 1999, his Innu-language Christmas album, "Nipaiamianan," won a Juno Award. In 2019, he won the first-ever Indigenous Artist of the Year award at the ADISQ Gala. Florent Vollant has received numerous awards, including the title of Compagnon des arts et des lettres du Québec in 2017, the Gold Medal of the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec in 2018, and the Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 2020. His musical legacy and commitment to his community continue to inspire and touch audiences around the world.