Florent Vollant (born August 10, 1959 in Labrador) is a Canadian singer-songwriter. An Innu from Maliotenam, Quebec, he was half of the popular folk music duo Kashtin, one of the most significant musical groups in First Nations history. He has subsequently released four solo albums.

In 1997, Vollant built his own recording studio – Makusham – on the reserve which is used by musicians inside and outside the community. His solo album Puamuna, which means 'dreams' in Innu, was the first time Vollant recorded a full album in his own studio. His Innu-language album of Christmas songs, Nipaiamianan, earned him an apostolic blessing from Pope John Paul II, as well as the Juno Award for Aboriginal Recording of the Year in 2001.

Florent Vollant

In 2020, he served as executive producer of Call Me Human (Je m'appelle humain), Kim O'Bomsawin's documentary film about Innu poet Joséphine Bacon. In 2023 he served as an executive producer on O'Bomsawin's documentary television series Telling Our Story.

Florent Vollant

He is also a mentor to Nikamu Mamuitun, a collective of emerging First Nations musicians including Marcie Michaud-Gagnon, Joëlle St-Pierre, Kanen, Chloé Lacasse, Scott-Pien Picard, Matiu, Cédrik St-Onge and Ivan Boivin.

Florent Vollant

He won the Félix Award for Indigenous Artist of the Year at the 41st Félix Awards in 2019.

Discography

Katak (2003) Nipaiamianan (2005) Eku Mamu (2009) Puamuna (2015) Mishta Meshkenu (2018)

References

External links

1959 births

20th-century First Nations people

21st-century First Nations people

Canadian documentary film producers

Canadian folk singer-songwriters

Canadian male singer-songwriters

First Nations musicians

Innu people

Juno Award for Indigenous Music Album of the Year winners

Living people

People from Côte-Nord

Singers from Quebec

Félix Award winners

Governor General's Award winners

Canadian television producers