New Juno category for Traditional Indigenous Music
By Brian Wright-McLeod
TORONTO — We have finally arrived. After a long journey of applications, canvassing and petitions, a category for Traditional Indigenous Music has finally been established: Traditional Indigenous Artist of Group of the Year. The long-sought-after recognition for our traditional roots music is now realized. Since its inception in 1994, the Aboriginal Music Category for the Juno Awards has attempted to broaden its scope with two representative categories, one for contemporary and the other for traditional roots.
“This is exciting news that we have expanded the category into two sections to allow more artists to submit,” said Committee Chair Amanda Rheaume, an Anishnaabekwe contemporary recording artist herself. “We’ve been working at this effort for a long time.”
The new category recognizes Indigenous people making traditional music. To be eligible, solo acts and groups must be Inuit, First Nation, or Métis, to promote traditional songs to be heard publicly and to be preserved for future generations.
“This is not a fusion category. All sounds must be made from acoustic instruments and not electronic,” Rheaume said.
The new category will include pow wow songs, round dance songs, hand drum songs, Qilaut/Inuit drum, katajjaq/qiarvaaq/Inuit throat singing, flute music, Métis fiddle music, Iroquois songs, West Coast and East Coast songs, Ko’jua songs, peyote songs, pisiit (Ajaaja/traditional Inuktitut songs), spoken word/language Gwitchin fiddle music, hand game music, rattle music, social/potlatch songs, Inuit throat singing, and other songs with traditional percussion, instruments and language.
Additional criteria includes anything to do with a traditional drum, any music made with traditional instruments/methods no electronic sounds permitted, use of an Indigenous language.
Specific considerations apply to Inuit Throat Singing. The recording must be performed by an Inuk duo, cannot include the use of electronic sounds and use jaw harp is permitted. With respect to Métis Fiddle the instruments/sounds include fiddle, acoustic guitar, piano, spoons, foot percussion, and drum kit.
Songs in the language include acapella in any language of the Indigenous people of northern Turtle Island Indigenous Nations in Canada are diverse and their unique vocal styles, instruments, and songs have value. This category will follow the lead of Indigenous collectives who use the vocal styles, instruments, or songs created by their ancestors.
The parameters for submitting recordings include Indigenous artists or groups living in Canada who released an EP (five songs or less) or a full album between September 1, 2020 and this November 5, 2021, comprising six unique songs or 20 minutes of music are eligible. There are no sales qualifications for this category.
Meanwhile, the Contemporary category recognizes Indigenous people making music in any genre. To be eligible, solo acts must be Inuit, First Nation, or Métis and at least 50% of all groups must be Inuit, First Nation, or Métis. Solo acts are defined as artists who market their releases or performances under their own name or are the creative forces behind a group (CARAS may require proof). Groups must identify their Indigenous members in the promotional photograph that they used to market the album they are submitting.
“The Contemporary category is a crossover category,” she said. “The product may also be submitted into one other genre category as well as any artist or technical categories if applicable including Breakthrough Artist, Pop, Rap, Songwriter, etc.”
Albums cannot be eligible in both Traditional and Contemporary categories.
Deadlines and category guidelines can be accessed online or contact namanda@indigenousmusicsummit.com