Eastern Owl

Based primarily out of St. John’s, NL, the women of Eastern Owl (Jenelle Duval, Stacey Howse, Kayla Stride, Danielle Benoit, Natasha Blackwood, Jaime O’Leary, and Rebecca Sharr) hail from all across Ktaqamkuk (the island of Newfoundland). They are an Indigenous-led all nations group who blend the styles of First Nations Drum Music and Contemporary Folk to create their own innovative sound. With deep roots in community, Eastern Owl has committed to deepening their connection with their traditional practices while helping to educate Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences through song.

Eastern Owl has been captivating audiences across Canada since 2011. They are the recipients of multiple awards, including 2016 ArtsNL CBC Emerging Artist of the year, 2019 Music NL Indigenous Artist of the Year, and 2020 ECMA Indigenous Artist of the Year. They have taken the national stage during Canadian Music Week (ON), Coastal First Nations Dance Festival (BC), and Petapan (NB), and in 2023 travelled to Brazil to showcase at COMAFEST in the capital city of Brasilia. They are active performers in their home base in St. John’s, having participated in such festivals as Lawnya Vawnya, Spirit Song, and Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival.