The Juno Award for Traditional Indigenous Artist of the Year is an annual Canadian music award, presented by the Juno Awards to honour music created by Indigenous Canadian artists working in traditional music genres. Announced at the Juno Awards of 2021, it was presented for the first time at the Juno Awards of 2022.
It is presented alongside a new category for Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year.
Prior to 2022, contemporary and traditional Indigenous artists were honoured alongside each other in a single category for Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year."Junos rename aboriginal album category to indigenous music album of the year". Toronto Star, January 11, 2017.
Winners and nominees Year Winner Album Nominees Ref.2022 Fawn Wood KakikeManitou Mkwa Singers, Manitou Mkwa Singers II Nimkii and the Niniis, Nang Giizhigoong Joel Wood, Singing Is Healing Young Spirit, Angel Eagle: Cree Round Dance SongsHolly Gordon, "Here are all the 2022 Juno Award winners". CBC Music, May 14, 2022.2023 The Bearhead Sisters UnbreakableCikwes, Kâkîsimo ᑳᑮᓯᒧᐤ Iva and Angu, Katajjausiit Northern Cree, Ôskimacîtahowin: A New Beginning Joel Wood, Mikwanak Kamôsakinat Jenna Benchetrit and Arti Patel, "The Weeknd picks up 4 wins on Junos 2023 opening night". CBC News, March 11, 2023.2024 Joel Wood Sing. Pray. Love.The Bearhead Sisters, Mitòòdebi (For My Relatives) Nimkii and the Niniis, LFS5 The Red River Ramblers, Reverie Young Scouts, Drum Nation "Junos 2024: full list of winners". CBC Music, March 23, 2024.2025 Black Bear Singers New ComingsCree Confederation, Traveling Home Brianna Lizotte, Winston & I Northern Cree, REZilience Young Spirit, Ostesihtowin/Brotherhood "Junos 2025: full list of winners". CBC Music, March 30, 2025.2026 Bear Creek Singers On the Move Bad Eagle, Battle at the Beach Manitou Mkwa Singers, Me & You Piunguałaq, Anirniliit Suli YB Nakota, Nakota Tayhunyabi Natalie Harmsen, Melody Lau, Holly Gordon and Kelsey Adams, "Here are all the 2026 Juno nominees". CBC Music, March 28, 2026.
References