Canada recognizes the best in music with the annual Juno Awards and this year Indigenous musicians have twice the reason to celebrate. There are now two Indigenous music awards: one for contemporary music and one for traditional music.

Our Indigi-musicologists Jarett Martineau, Jade Harper and Alan Greyeyes weigh in on the celebration and contention.

She is one of Turtle Island's most recognized and beloved voices. Susan Aglukark has had an incredible music career spanning over 30 years, earning herself three Juno awards and 11 nominations. This year, she’s been honoured with the Humanitarian Award for her long-standing commitment to improving the lives of Indigenous youth in the North. In a feature interview with Rosanna Deerchild, Aglukark shares why that work is so important to her and how music has been healing in her own life.

Jayli Wolf and Shawnee Kish are both first-time nominees for Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year. Both artists share personal stories through their music.

Jayli didn’t know she was Indigenous growing up, but she has since embraced her identity and that shines through in her music. Her nominated album, Wild Whisper blends traditional Indigenous sounds with an electronic-R&B-style.

Shawnee Kish is a proud two-spirit Mohawk artist who has been compared to Amy Winehouse and Etta James. In her Juno-nominated self-titled debut EP, she uses her music to talk about everything from love and romance, to misogyny in the music industry.

Nimkii Osawamick makes music as an act of decolonization. His band Nimkii and the Ninniis is nominated for Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year. Their EP Nang Giizhigoong means "star realm" in Anishinaabemowin and is a collection of heart thumping drums and choral singing.