Mat Cardinal is a member of the Bigstone Cree Nation ​and the lead singer/songwriter of the popular award-​winning band The Prairie States. Mat is a passionate ​person who believes in dreaming big and seeks to ​inspire youth to follow their dreams. Growing up in ​Wabasca, Alberta Mat has first-handedly experienced ​both the blessings and the hardships of living on a ​reserve. Mat received the life-changing diagnosis of ​kidney disease at age 10, ultimately leading to total ​kidney failure and thankfully a life saving kidney ​transplant. These life-long health challenges have left ​Mat with many inspiring stories to tell. Having just ​passed the 10-year anniversary of his kidney transplant, ​Mat is on a mission to share his talents along with his ​story of strength and resilience to inspire youth to ​follow their dreams no matter what challenges or ​hardships they may face. Mat is a shining example of ​when you combine dedication, hard work and passion ​you can achieve all of your goals and discover all sorts of ​new opportunities along the way.