Albertan country music singer-songwriter Shane Yellowbird has died at 42.
Social media posts from his sister and fiance confirmed his passing late Monday night, followed by an outpouring of condolences from fans.
“My big brother Shane inspired me to sing and draw. Both of us were fortunate to be raised by our kokum Sheila, we both call her our mom,” Yellowbird’s sister ShyShy Yellowbird said in a Facebook post.
Yellowbird grew up in the Maskwacis community south of Edmonton.
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“Baby I’m lost and broken, you were my missing other half,” Yellowbird’s fiancé Sarah Garrow said in a Facebook post. “I can’t believe I won’t wake up in your arms this morning, laugh with you today, or dance with you another night.”
Yellowbird was Cree-Canadian and was awarded Aboriginal Entertainer of the Year at the Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards, now called the Indigenous Music Awards, in 2007.
His song “Pickup Truck” was one of the 10 most played country music songs in Canada in 2007 and hit number 64 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart.
There are no details available on the cause of his death.
–With files from Kenny Mason
