2017 Indspire Awards honours Indigenous achievers in Ottawa ceremony
- EFN Staff | February 05, 2017
Ceremony to take place March 24, 2017 and features Buffy Sainte-Marie
Thirteen First Nation, Inuit, and Métis individuals from across the country will be honoured on March 24, 2017, at the Indspire Awards ceremony at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. The ceremony, hosted by multi-award nominated actress and singer/songwriter, Cheri Maracle and well-known TV personality, Kyle Nobess, will feature Indigenous talent from across the country, including special guest performer, Cree singer Buffy Sainte-Marie, who is a well-known songwriter, activist, educator, visual artist and winner of countless awards!
Other guests include:
Drezus – well-known MC and a fixture of the Indigenous hip hop scene in Canada.
Mariame Hasni – powerhouse vocalist with an electric stage presence.
Elisapie – singer, songwriter, and filmmaker.
Classic Roots – producer and DJ who combines techno/house music with the beat of traditional Anishinaabe sounds.
Ashley Callingbull – Mrs. Universe 2015, activist, actor, and a contestant on the Amazing Race Canada.
Related:
- Indspire exceeds target for matching campaign for Indigenous education
- Indspire responds to TRC calls to action
- Confed Park's Cree program recognized with Indspire award
- The Indspire Awards: a first-hand account
The 13 Indspire Awards recipients, including three youth recipients and one lifetime achievement honoree, will be celebrated by over 1,700 ceremony attendees, including 500 Indigenous youth from across Canada.
The 2017 Indspire Awards recipients are:
Lifetime Achievement: The Honourable Senator Murray Sinclair – Peguis First Nation, Manitoba
Business and Commerce: P. Jerry Asp – Tahltan Nation, British Columbia
Culture, Heritage, & Spirituality: Jan Kahehti:io Longboat – Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario
Culture, Heritage, & Spirituality: B. Doreen Spence – Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Alberta
Education: Nathan Matthew – Simpcw First Nation, British Columbia
Health: Tekatsi:tsia'kwa Katsi Cook – Akwesasne First Nation, Québec
Law and Justice: Kimberly R. Murray – Kanehsatà:ke Mohawk Nation
Politics: Cece Hodgson McCauley – Sahtu Dene, Northwest Territories
Public Service: Duncan McCue – Georgina Island First Nation, Ontario
Sports: Heather Kashman – Métis Red River Settlement, Manitoba
Youth – First Nation: Thomas Dymond – Bear River First Nation
Youth – Inuit: Maatalii Okalik – Nunavut, Inuit Nunangat
Youth – Métis: Josh Butcher – Métis Nation, Alberta
"The Awards ceremony will be a magnificent evening of celebration of the Indigenous peoples of Canada," said Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of Indspire and Executive Producer of the Indspire Awards. "In 2017 Canadians will mark 150 years of confederation. It is fitting that we honour the contributions and role of indigenous peoples and look forward to the future we will build together by recognizing the life journey and accomplishments of thirteen First Nations, Inuit, and Métis visionaries, activists, and role models, who have – with passion, courage and tenacity – converted their gifts, energies and determination into achievement."
The Indspire Awards is made possible by the generous support of a number of individual, government, and corporate supporters, including presenting corporate sponsor CIBC.
"CIBC has been a proud sponsor of the Indspire Awards since their beginning, and we are honoured to be part of this national celebration of the accomplishments, talents, and dedication of these role models," said Victor Dodig, President and Chief Executive Officer of CIBC.
"On behalf of the Government of Canada, a proud partner of Indspire, it is my great pleasure to congratulate the outstanding First Nations, Inuit and Métis honoured this evening," said the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs. "I'm proud to be part of this evening's event, which pays tribute to some of the exemplary achievements of Indigenous peoples. You are an inspiration to all Canadians – especially youth –from coast to coast to coast."