Special Performance by Buffy Sainte-Marie

This year’s show is hosted by Cheri Maracle and Kyle Nobess and features a special performance by music icon, Buffy Saint-Marie!

SIX NATIONS OF THE GRAND RIVER, ON, CANADA, June 28, 2017 — Thirteen First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals from across the country were honoured at the Indspire Awards ceremony held in Ottawa on March 24, 2017.

Hosted by renowned actor and singer/songwriter, Cheri Maracle and TV personality, Kyle Nobess, the Canadian Screen Award-nominated show will be broadcast nationally by media partners Global Television and Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) on July 1, 2017. The show will be broadcast again on APTN on July 2, 2017.

Featuring:
Buffy Sainte-Marie – Cree singer/songwriter and music icon.
Cheri Maracle – co-host, singer/songwriter and actor (Blackstone).
Kyle Nobess – co-host, actor (Mohawk Girls).
Drezus – well-known fixture of the Indigenous hip hop scene in Canada.
Mariame Hasni – award-winning Cree vocalist.
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.

Dates:
Saturday, July 1 at 7:00 PM local time on Global TV and 7:00 PM ET on APTN.
Sunday, July 2 at 3:00 PM ET on APTN. Check your local listings.

The 13 Indspire Award recipients, including three youth recipients and one lifetime achievement honouree, were 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: Chief Nathan Matthew – Simpcw First Nation, British Columbia
Health: Tekatsi:tsia’kwa Cook Barreiro – Akwesasne First Nation, Québec
Law and Justice: Kimberly R. Murray – Kanehsatà:ke Mohawk Nation, Québec
Politics: Honourary Chief 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, Nova Scotia
Youth – Inuit: Maatalii Okalik – Nunavut, Inuit Nunangat
Youth – Métis: Josh Butcher – Métis Nation, Alberta

“The Awards ceremony was 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 since 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 13 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis visionaries, activists, and role models, who have – with passion, courage and tenacity – converted their gifts, energies and determination into great achievements.”

The Indspire Awards are made possible by the generous support 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 CEO of CIBC.

Tune in to experience an evening of culture and celebration as we tell the stories of 13 outstanding Indigenous achievers!

To nominate someone for next year’s Indspire Awards, please contact [email protected]. The deadline for nominations is July 21, 2017 at 11:59pm PT.

2017 Indspire Awards Supporters

Presenting Corporate Sponsor: CIBC
Lead Partner: Government of Canada
Indigenous Youth Sponsor: Shell Canada Limited
Regional Partner: Province of Ontario
Major Sponsors: Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), Corus Entertainment, Suncor Energy Inc., Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Founding Sponsor and Official Airline: Air Canada
Cocktail Reception Sponsor: Teck Resources Limited
Participating Sponsor: Ontario Power Generation, Tuccaro Inc. Group of Companies
Supporting Sponsors: Bruce Power, Imperial, The Society of Energy Professionals

About the Indspire Awards
The Indspire Awards have celebrated the significant contributions of Indigenous people in Canada for 24 years. The Awards are aligned with Indspire’s mandate to provide educational support and programs for future generations to succeed. They promote self-esteem and pride for the Indigenous community and provide outstanding role models for Indigenous youth. They recognize the success of individuals who have the discipline, drive and determination to set high standards and accomplish their goals.

The national jury for the Indspire Awards is comprised of previous recipients, who represent a range of economic sectors, fields of endeavour, and regions across the country. From hundreds of nominations, the jury selects career achievement award recipients, three youth award recipients (First Nation, Inuit, and Métis), and one lifetime achievement award recipient. Recipients are selected through a process that is based on the highest merits of fairness and respect to all of the highly-deserving nominees.

About Indspire
Indspire is an Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people for the long term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. With the support of its funding partners, Indspire disburses financial awards, delivers programs, and shares resources with the goal of closing the gap in Indigenous education. Through the K-12 Institute, it provides resources to educators, communities, and other stakeholders who are committed to improving kindergarten to grade 12 success for Indigenous youth. In 2016-17, Indspire provided $11.6 million through 3,764 bursaries and scholarships to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students. Each year, the organization presents the Indspire Awards, a celebration of the successes achieved by Indigenous people that is then broadcast nationally.

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For more information, please contact:
Amanda Charles
Communications & Marketing Specialist
416.987.0240 | [email protected]

Pour de plus amples renseignements en français, veuillez communiquer avec Amanda Charles, Spécialiste de Communications et marketing, au 416.987.0240 ou [email protected].

Amanda Charles
Indspire
416-987-0240
email us here

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