And the 2018 Indigenous Music Awards Winners Are … | Digital Drum

Earlier this year, Canada’s thriving Indigenous music scene made some serious noise at the 2018 Juno Awards. Last weekend, it cranked things to 11.

On Friday, May 18, the top talent from across Turtle Island gathered in Winnipeg for the return of the Indigenous Music Awards. Hosted by Jarrett Martineau and Beatrice Deer, the event kicked off with a red carpet celebration and treated the sold-out crowd to unforgettable performances by Indian City, Kristi Lane Sinclair, Ansley Simpson, Chase Manhattan (ft. 14-year-old hoop dance sensation Theland Kicknosway) and more.

But the night truly belonged to the show’s award winners.

With categories including pow wow, hip hop and everything in between, a total of 19 First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists/groups were recognized for their outstanding musical achievements over the past year. Pat Vegas, best known as a member of Redbone, also took home the Lifetime Achievement Award, while B.C.’s Jasmine Netsena won the inaugural TD Indigenous Songwriter of the year award (along with $10,000).

Below is a complete list of the night’s winners.

Best New Artist: Ansley Simpson, Breakwall

Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album: Supaman, Illuminatives

Best Folk Album: Buffy Sainte-Marie, Medicine Songs

Best Pop Album: Indian City, Here & Now

Best Rock Album: Relic Kings, Armoury

Best Country Album: Desiree Dorion, Tough Street

Best Electronic Music Album: Once a Tree, Phoenix

Best Blues Album: Robert "Freightrain" Parker, Freightrain Live

Best Hand Drum Album: Young Spirit, Mewasinsational: Cree Round Dance Songs

Best Instrumental Album: Jan Michael Looking Wolf, Flute Medicine

Best Inuit, Indigenous Language or Francophone Album: Shauit, Apu peikussiak

Best Pow Wow - Contemporary Album: Black Bear Singers, Notcimik

Best Pow Wow - Traditional Album: Northern Cree, Mîyo kekisepa/Make A Stand

Best Gospel Album: Callie Bennett, Awake Arise Shine

Best Producer/Engineer: Supaman

Best Radio Station Program - Promoting Indigenous Music: Indigenous Music Countdown (Native Communications Inc.)

Best International Indigenous Artist: The Imbayakunas, New Ground

Best Music Video: Buffy Sainte-Marie, The War Racket

Best Radio Single: Carsen Gray, Wanna See You ft. DJ Shub

Keep up with Canada's Indigenous music talent on digitaldrum.ca

This article was originally published on digitaldrum.ca. Reproduced with permission from the author.