 Her surname translates to "Dawn of a New Day".Many of Shawanda's songs have been inspired by her connections to Wiikwemkoong and part of her 2016 album was recorded at the Debajehmujig Creation Centre in Manitowaning, Manitoulin Island.Shawanda's first album, "Dawn of a New Day", was released in Canada on June 24, 2008, and in the United States on August 19.