Believe and ‘make it happen’

Nishina Esquega Contributor

A lead vocal performer for 20 years highlighting a series of performances and events, festivals, weddings, clubs, funerals and tribute to gospel ministries in other provinces of Canada. Nishina has been a lead vocalist for Smokin Totem and Nishina and the Hackers throughout some years. Other vocal performances include singing for Blessed Kateri Church where Nishina enjoys attending on Sundays. She started out singing old country classics to rock n’ roll and on to blues.

She is known as the “Woman with the Pipes” locally here in Thunder Bay. She has been awarded first place in the following competitions:

Thunder Bay Idol by the Old Fort William and Thunder Bay Children’s Festival by the city of Thunder Bay. Recently Nishina competed in the Thunder Bay Blues Showcase against ten other local musicians and won a spot to open up the Thunder Bay Blues Festival this summer.

“Not only have I gotten this far with the right people backing me up and supporting me in singing for this big event, I am excited to know that I am the first Aboriginal woman lead singer, to sing for the Thunder Bay Blues Festival. To me, this means, I have opened the floor for other young local Aboriginal talent. I hope to inspire them to never give up, dreams do come true, only if you believe. You have to want it to make it happen,” Nishina says.

“She sings with so much passion and heart behind her music, you can hear her love, it’s great to be a part of that,” says an unknown fan.

Nishina plans to keep pursuing what she is most passionate about – her music.

Visit www.nishina.biz to learn more about Nishina and future events.

My name is Nishina Esquega. Nishina means beautiful in the Ojibway language. I am 26 years old. Thunder Bay, Ont., is where I was born and raised. My home reservation is Gull Bay First Nation. Out of my parents I am the first to receive my Grade 12 education and recently completed the NAP at Lakehead University. I will be continuing full time studies this fall in business and music. I plan to develop and operate my own successful operation along with singing professionally as an artist. I will be recording my own album to hopefully inspire young Aboriginal youth through my music.