When Desiree Dorion was just five years old, she would make up poems and songs in her journal.
She started singing about a decade later when she turned 10. Fast forward three years to when she was 13, Dorion took the stage. She performed at a banquet on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Her talents were off the charts.
An investor noticed Desiree and invested in her recording an album. She rode the Greyhound bus almost every weekend for six months. She would travel to OCN on Friday and return to Dauphin on Sunday, where her mom would pick her up. She released her first record in 1998 when she was just 14. She continued to work in music throughout high school. When she went to university, she put it on the back burner.
When Desiree graduated in 2008, she wanted to get back into it. She reached out to a few friends and released another record in 2010. From there to this day, the rest is history.
In 2014, when Desiree was hired to perform on the main stage at Dauphin's Countryfest, she was also nominated for a JUNO award. The nomination was in the category of Aboriginal Album of the Year, now known as Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year. Being nominated came as a complete shock to Desiree.
Dorion was also seven and a half months pregnant when she went to the JUNOs.
"You know, getting up for hair and makeup, doing all the public relations, ceremonies, networking events, and then not going to bed until like 3:00 the next morning, I was up for almost 24 hours in a row," said Dorion. "I didn't want to miss a second of it. I really feel that I was present and took in every moment of that experience. It was one that I won't forget."
Still rocking the stage and living her dream, Dorion says getting the chance to be on the stage is gratifying, and she thanks all her incredible fans for the support over the years. From her performances in Canada to the ones in Europe, Desiree has and will continue putting on a great show.
"There are so many artists that venues and organizers could hire. Like when we were chosen to play at the Indigenous Arts Festival this past June, there were so many other people they could have picked," Dorion told CKDM NewsNow. "The fact that I'm still able to work, do what I love, and make a living doing what I love and am passionate about, it makes me emotional when I think about it."
At the 2025 Manitoba Country Music Awards, Desiree was a major winner. She was named the Female Artist of the Year and also took home the Album of the Year award. Dorion has become one of Manitoba's most celebrated and respected voices.
Her career spans seven studio albums, and she's performed nationally on major networks in the country. Desiree also has multiple number-one songs on the Indigenous Music Countdown to her credit.
When asked how it felt to win the two major awards, Desiree said it was a special moment.
"It's pretty darn cool. Those awards are chosen by my peers in music," she added. "To not only get the chance to work in music, but be recognized by your peers, and for them to see the work that I'm doing, and it's worthy enough to be recognized. That's pretty darn special."
Next up for Desiree and her band is a performance in Manitoba's capital on Hockey Night. The Winnipeg Jets host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. It's Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre (WASAC) Night at the Canada Life Centre. It's a night that showcases Indigenous culture and welcomes Indigenous youth from northern communities.
Desiree said getting the chance to perform on WASAC Night has been a bucket list dream. On Saturday, that dream becomes a reality.
"I am pumped, so pumped," ended Dorion. "We just finished our rehearsal and are putting our set together. I'm super excited, it's going to be an incredible experience."
You can purchase tickets to be a part of the historic night at WASAC Night.
The Dauphinite has a new single coming out in two weeks and a new album in March. She and her band are booked solid next month in several northern communities.
In November, Desiree and her band will perform in Whitehorse.
