Biography
Mimi O’Bonsawin (Pronounced: MEE-MEE O-BON-SA-WIN) is a contemporary roots singer-songwriter born in Northeastern Ontario. She is French Canadian & W8banaki (Abénaki), a member of the Odanak First Nation. Through her rhythm and story-driven songs, Mimi’s music embraces the beauty of the land. The ethereal quality of her music whisks you away with uplifting melodies and introspective lyrics that weave pop sensibilities with acoustic instrumentation. Layers of percussion and unexpected harmonies make you feel the music rather than just hear it.
As both artist and gardener, Mimi draws a deep connection between the two practices: “Making music and growing food are very much the same. They both start with a seed and, with proper care, can grow into a beautiful garden that we all can share. I put intention and love into every seed and every note.”
In May 2025, Mimi was awarded Solo Artist of the Year at the Trille Or Awards. Earlier in the year, she toured Australia with performances at the Woodford and Cygnet Folk Festivals. After a winter hard at work on her next album, she spent the summer on the road with her band at Festivals across Canada Including Vancouver Folk Festival, Mission Folk Festival, Francos de Montréal, Festival en Chanson Petite-Vallée and was invited by Elisapie to perform on the TV series Le Grand-Solstice airing Nationally on Ici-Télé & APTN.
Mimi performs as a duo with her husband, Ryan Schurman, on drums and percussion, creating an intimate yet uplifting experience. Together, they invite audiences into their universe with a full-band sound that inspires dancing, singing and joy.
In spring 2024, during her second tour in France, Mimi released Live In Concert, her first-ever live album, capturing favourite moments from one of her Willow album release shows. Released in March 2023, Willow is a collection of 14 songs that marked a turning point in her creative journey.
“This album sounds like the music I have always heard in my heart,” Mimi says. “It is honest, it is real, and it is full of life. I have never felt more alive.”
Late that year, on September 29, 2023, she released her first full-length French album, Boréale, an intimate reflection of her roots, also recorded with Ryan in their log home studio.
2024 brought incredible opportunities, with performances at festivals and arts centres across Canada. Mimi opened for JUNO-award winning artists including Aysanabee, Good Lovelies, The East Pointers, and DJ Shub, as well as Beverly Glenn-Copeland at Montreal’s Rialto Theatre. The 2023/2024 season was marked by acclaim, with nominations at the Folk Music Ontario Awards, Capital Music Awards, Canadian Folk Music Awards, Northern Ontario Music & Film Awards, Native American Awards, and Prix Trille Or. Her albums Willow and Live In Concert were also considered at the GRAMMYs. In 2019, Mimi won Best Pop Album at the Indigenous Music Awards.
Reaching new audiences at home and abroad, Mimi stays true to this statement:
“I want to invite audiences into my world because, for me, music is medicine. It’s not mine, it’s not yours, music is something we all share. It is our garden.”
Bev Kreller - Roots Music Canada
“Mimi has such a clear, resonant voice, occasionally going to vibrato but always controlled – the effect is there when she wants it. Mimi O’Bonsawin – an earth mother of the highest order.”
Roslie Chretien ATUVU.CA
Pincez-moi quelqu'un. Munie d’une paire d’ailes, une harpe en bandoulière, O'Bonsawin nous a administré une bonne dose de ce qu’elle appelle « Music as medicine ». Sa voix à la fois cristalline et vigoureuse a traversé nos corps émus.
Mimi O’Bonsawin est une autrice-compositrice-interprète franco-ontarienne et W8banaki (Abénakise), membre de la Première Nation d’Odanak. Sa musique, à la fois influencée par ses origines autochtones et la pop acoustique, est portée par des textes sensibles, des rythmes organiques et une profonde connexion à la nature.
Accompagnée de son partenaire Ryan Schurman à la batterie et aux percussions, elle propose une performance à la fois intime et vibrante, mêlant poésie, groove et émotions sincères.
Lauréate et finaliste de nombreux prix, Mimi s’est produite en France, en Australie et à travers le Canada, séduisant les publics grâce à sa voix unique et sa présence lumineuse.
Pour Mimi, « la musique est un jardin que nous partageons ».