Miles Morrisseau
ICT
Indigenous music continues to rise and be recognized at Canada’s annual celebration of music, the Juno Awards.
Once relegated to the Indigenous-only categories at Canada’s version of the Grammys, Indigenous musicians are once again competing for prizes in a variety of genres including folk, blues, rap and classical.
This year will mark the 55th anniversary of the awards handed out by the Canadian Academy of Records Arts and Sciences. The 2026 award ceremony is set for Hamilton, Ontario, on March 29 and will be broadcast live on CBC and CBC Gem.
Some of the artists, like Cree singer-songwriter Siibii, are first-time nominees. Others, such as William Prince, Tia Wood, Aysanabee and Snotty Nose Rez Kids are returning to the show for another chance to bring home a trophy.
Here are the Indigenous nominees at the 2026 Juno Awards.
Classical Album of the Year
‘Where Waters Meet’
Canadian Chamber Choir featuring Sherryl Sewepagaham
In the category of Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble), the album, “Where the Waters Meet,” by the Canadian Chamber Choir features Sherryl Sewepagaham. Sewepagaham is a Dene/Cree singer and composer from the Little Red River Cree Nation in Northern Alberta.
Blues Album of the Year
‘Sing Pretty Blues‘
Crystal Shawanda
Crystal Shawanda, Wikwemikong First Nation, is nominated for Blues Album of the Year for “Sing Pretty Blues,” which she released on her own label New Sun Records.
Traditional Roots Album of the Year
‘Heal the Divide’
Morgan Toney
Morgan Toney, Mi’kmaq, is nominated for Traditional Roots Album of the Year for his release, “Heal the Divide.”
Contemporary Roots Album of the Year
‘Further from the Country’
William Prince
William Prince, Peguis First Nation, is nominated in the category of Contemporary Roots Album of the Year for his latest release, “Further from the Country.” Prince won this award in 2023 for his album, “Stand in the Joy.”
Alternative Album of the Year
‘Edge of the Earth’
Aysanabee
Aysanabee, Sandy Lake First Nation, received a nomination for Alternative Album of the Year for his latest release, “Edge of the Earth.” He took home the prize in this category in 2024 for his album, “Here and Now.”
Rap Single of the Year
‘Dumb‘
SonReal featuring Snotty Nose Rez Kids
Snotty Nose Rez Kids, in collaboration with SonReal, are up for Rap Single of the Year for “Dumb.” The Haisla duo from Kitimat Village took home the award for Rap Album of the Year for the record, “Red Future,” at the 2025 Juno Awards.
Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year
Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year nominees are Bad Eagle for “Battle At The Beach,” Bear Creek for “On the Move,” Manitou Mkwa Singer for “Me & You,” Piunguataq for “Arnirniliit Suli,” and YB Nakota for “Nakota Tayhunyabi.”
Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group
In the category for Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group, the nominees are Aysanabee for “Edge of the Earth,” Sebastian Gaskin for “LoveChild,” Shawnee Kish for “Chapter 1,” Siibii for the self-titled album, “Siibii,” and Tia Wood for “Sage my Soul.”