Born in Saddle Lake Cree Nation in central Alberta, a community of about 6,000 people in Treaty 6 territory, Tia’s musical journey began at home. Her first experiences on stage were with her family, singing traditional music at powwows, schools, and community events. As a teenager, Tia was drawn to a wide range of artists, from musical legends like Etta James and Amy Winehouse to contemporary stars such as Remi Wolf, Leon Bridges, Jessie Reyez, and SZA. In her 20s, she gained a massive social media following as a creator, with many of her videos, which introduced Indigenous sounds to mainstream audiences, going viral and earning widespread acclaim.
Those influences laid the foundation for her debut EP, Pretty Red Bird, which was released in 2024. Tia’s smooth, stunning vocals thread together a vibrant tapestry of modern music, strengthened by her Indigenous heritage and lush R&B and pop production. The songs on Pretty Red Bird capture the depth and diversity of the young adult experience, blending classic instrumentation like piano and guitar with contemporary beats and hooks that define modern R&B and pop.
For Tia, songwriting has been a deeply personal journey—one that has allowed her to explore identity, self-expression, and emotional depth. “It’s allowed me to open up and really dig into feelings,” she says. In 2025, Tia was nominated for her first JUNO award for ‘Contemporary Indigenous Artist of Group of the Year,” and performed at the broadcast alongside Snotty Nose Rez Kids.