There was no shortage of Indigenous representation at this year’s Juno Awards; there were five wins from over 19 nominations for Indigenous artists at the awards.
The 54th Juno Awards were held in Vancouver’s Rogers Arena this past weekend. Leading the charge was Snotty Nose Rez Kids, leaving with Rap Album/EP of the Year for Red Future.
“We made this album to add voices for Indigenous people in the future,” Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce said during their acceptance speech.
“We created a vision for ourselves and where we can see ourselves in the future and what Indigenous excellence truly looks like.”
Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year nominee Tia Wood joined the Snotty Nose Rez Kids on stage for a performance during Sunday’s broadcast that blended the traditional and contemporary.
After Elisapie’s incredible 2024 that included a stamp by Canada Post in their “Indigenous Leaders” collection, her Inuktitut album brought home the award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year.
Elisapie gave her acceptance speech in Inuktitut and English.
“I’m so proud to be an Inuk woman, I’m so proud to be singing in my language,” she said.
The Juno for Classical Composition of the Year went to Deantha Edmunds. The Inuk singer from Newfoundland and Labrador won for her piece, Angmalukisaa.
Tataskweyak Cree Nation citizen Sebastian Gaskin won Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year for his song Brown Man. He performed his track Medicine at Saturday night’s Juno Awards gala.
It was also a big night for Quebec’s Black Bear Singers, winning for Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year. Black Bear faced tough competition in their category, vying for the award alongside Brianna Lizotte, Cree Confederation, Northern Cree and Young Spirit.
Métis songstress Celeigh Cardinal, with two nominations for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year and Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year for Boundless Possibilities, performed Light Of The Moon during the In Memoriam portion of Saturday night’s gala.
