2 HISTORIC JUNO WINS
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| Photo Credit: CARAS/Ryan Bolton Photography |
| Aaniin Ishkōdé Family, What a kick-ass weekend we had at the JUNO Awards in K’jipuktuk (Halifax) on Mi’kma’ki with our artists, team, and music community. We are celebrating Oji-Cree artist, Aysanabee for his outstanding and historic 2 JUNO wins. In a year that witnessed numerous Indigenous artists earning JUNO nominations across various categories, Aysanabee won the coveted Songwriter of the Year (presented by SOCAN), as well as Alternative Album of the Year for Here and Now. He’s the first Indigenous artist to win in either of those categories.He was also nominated for Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year (presented by Destination Indigenous). Congratulations to Aysanabee, his team, and everyone who helped make Here and Now such a success this past year. |
| “To be seen, to be heard, to be recognized by my peers, by people who I have the deepest respect for, is humbling and it is a light that will help guide me as we continue to do the work, as we continue to push boundaries and as we continue to carry and tell the stories of our time.”– Aysanabee |
| Watch Aysanabee’s acceptance speech for Songwriter of the Year here |
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| Photo Credit: CARAS/FUZE Reps/O’Shane Howard |
| Aysanabee took to the stage with recent tour companion Allison Russell at the televised JUNO Broadcast on Sunday for the In Memoriam tribute to Gordon Lightfoot and Robbie Roberston. The two artists were joined by fellow JUNO nominees and winners, Julian Taylor, William Prince, Shawnee Kish, and Logan Staats to perform “If You Could Read My Mind” and “The Weight” in this stunning and moving tribute. Click on the image below to watch the performance. |
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| Photo Credit: CARAS/James Bennett |
| Buy/Stream Here and Now |
| We’re also on a high from cheering first-time JUNO nominee, Mi’kmaq fiddler and artist, Morgan Toney, who performed at 4 JUNO events over the course of the weekend including JUNOFest at the Sanctuary Arts Centre on Friday night and the Honouring Ceremony on Saturday. At the Opening Night Awards, Toney kicked off the show as the first musical performance with fellow East Coast artists, Jah’Mila, Wolf Castle, Wendy MacIsaac, and Owen O’Sound Lee. Watch the performance by clicking the image below. |
| “This weekend was a whirlwind emotional experience. I was often reminded of how proud my Mother would be and I indeed felt her warm loving presence throughout the Juno weekend, almost as if she was guiding me. Although we did not win the Juno Award for Traditional Roots Album of the Year, at the end of the day, it did not matter. I had the opportunity to perform for 9,000 people alongside Elisapie, Sarah Prosper, and Jeremy Dutcher. We sang the songs of our people, we spoke in the language of our people, and we let our pride shine through on the stage. The audience felt it and they were with us. I am so proud to have been able to see an incredible Indigenous representation and to be a part of it. It was definitely a big step for me to be a part of a massive production that is the Juno Awards, but it was also a little glimpse into the future of where I could be someday. ” – Morgan Toney |
| Catch Morgan’s interview and performance with Keith Mullins and Ryan Roberts live from the Sutton Place Hotel on CBC Mainstreet Halifax |
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| Photo Credit: CARAS/Ryan Bolton Photography |
| Toney joined fellow JUNO-nominee Jeremy Dutcher and JUNO-winner Elisapie for their impactful performance at the Broadcast on Sunday night on his home territory of Mi’km’ki. The medley combined a version of the traditional “Mi’kmaq Honour Song” with ‘Skicinuwihkuk,’ by Dutcher and ‘Uummati Attanarsimat’ by Elisapie, and was introduced by drag artist Anita Landback and co-founder of the Wabanaki Two Spirit Alliance, John R Sylliboy. Sarah Prosper (Sali’j) choreographed and performed a breathtaking dance accompaniment to the piece. Watch the performance by clicking the image below. |
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| Photo Credit: CARAS/FUZE Reps/O’Shane Howard |
| Buy/Stream Resilience |
| Congratulations to Aysanabee, Morgan Toney, their teams, and our entire Ishkōdé family for making the 2024 JUNOs such an incredible success. Chi miigwetch to everyone who continues to support Ishkōdé Records and our artists in helping us to bring the Songs for the Eighth Fire to life — our partners, collaborators, funders, our community of supporters, and most of all the fans who listen to and share the music. |
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 Copyright (C) 2024 Ishkode Records. All rights reserved. |