Bobbi-Jo Starr Prepares for Album Fundraiser Focused on Healing

Bobbi-Jo Starr, known as Kisikaw Iskwew or Daylight Woman, is set to host an album fundraiser on November 23, 2025, at the High Note Bar & Grill in Edmonton. This event signifies much more than just a musical performance; it represents Starr’s journey of healing and her commitment to advocating for water rights and environmental awareness.

Music as a Medium for Healing and Advocacy

For Starr, every song is a ceremony, every performance a teaching moment. Her musical style blends high-energy roots-rock with emotional acoustic ballads, deeply influenced by Indigenous teachings. “Music is energy and how I connect with the universe,” she stated. “It’s how I manifest the vision and changes I see for myself and my community.” Through her work, Starr aims to raise awareness about protecting sacred water rights, emphasizing the importance of a harmonious relationship with the earth.

Having entered recovery three years ago, water has become a focal point in both her personal transformation and her advocacy work. “Water is a living spirit. When we lack knowledge or clarity, we can always just ask the water,” she explained. This reverence for water is woven throughout her music, which she describes as a means to give back to the earth and advocate for environmental responsibility.

One of her notable tracks, She Stands for Truth and Justice, serves as an anthem of women’s empowerment and calls for unity in the fight to protect the environment. “Our children have the right to grow up in a clean environment,” she said. Another song, Mama Bear Leads the Way, tells the story of a mother imparting lessons of gratitude and respect for nature. “Mama Bear shows how our gratitude and positive energy can help heal the water,” Starr remarked, highlighting the connection between positive intention and environmental health.

A Community-Focused Musical Journey

Starr’s musical journey began just two years ago at community events such as the IAM Collective Holiday Markets. Fresh from recovery, these gatherings provided her with a platform to rediscover her voice and build confidence. “Each performance gave me something to look forward to,” she expressed, acknowledging the support of figures like Lorrie Cree Spring Davis, who facilitated her growth as an artist.

Mentorship has played a crucial role in her development. “My friend Curt Young is a positive mentor in my music,” she noted. Young will be joining her as the lead guitarist for the upcoming fundraiser. As she observes the evolving landscape of mainstream music, Starr sees a growing sense of collaboration, which she believes helps bridge cultural gaps.

With a collection of twelve original songs for her debut album, Starr aims to create a ripple effect that inspires action and mobilizes communities to protect the land and water. “I want my music to create a wave of awareness and inspire a movement,” she stated. Her debut single, Sun Is on the Rise, is now available on major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.

Starr consciously avoids the bar scene to maintain her recovery, opting instead for community-based events where she feels most connected. She enjoys the support from fellow Indigenous artists who will perform at her fundraiser, emphasizing the importance of community in her artistic journey. “Please show your support by coming to my album fundraiser, streaming my music, and engaging with us on social media,” she encouraged, inviting broader community participation.

Through her music and advocacy, Bobbi-Jo Starr aspires to inspire a new generation of water protectors and Indigenous artists. “My music flows like the rivers I sing about – resilient, healing, and alive with purpose,” she concluded. “Water is sacred. It’s a mirror of our spirit. And it’s our responsibility to protect and respect it.”

The fundraiser will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. MST at 12315 118 Avenue NW in Edmonton, with host Lance Cardinal and special guests including Donita Large, Darla Daniels, Lena Daniels, Curt Young, Melody McArthur, Jessie Rose, and Jared Sowan. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.