2019 Indspire Awards announce show hosts and talent performances
Ohsweken, ON – February 07, 2019.
Today Indspire announced the 2019 Indspire Awards hosts and talent performances. The 2019 Indspire Awards will continue to bestow the highest honour on Indigenous people who have made significant contributions to Indigenous education, art, culture, business, health, law, sports and public service in Canada as well as three youth awards to First Nations, Inuit and Métis role models.
“Each year we recognize and celebrate the journey and accomplishments of 12 extraordinary First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, whose discipline, drive and determination to set high standards and accomplish their goals is unsurpassed,” said Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of Indspire. “We will also share and celebrate the impact of their stories with all Canadians.”
The awards ceremony, which is taking place this year on February 22 in Calgary, Alberta, will be broadcast on APTN at 8pm ET on East and HD, 8pm MT on West and 8pm CT on North and on CBC, CBC Radio and the free CBC Gem streaming service on June 23, 2019 at 8 pm (8:30 p.m. NT).
TD Bank Group is the Lead Bank Supporter and Presenting Corporate Sponsor of the Indspire Awards. “On behalf of TD, we are pleased to help celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s Indspire Awards recipients” says Andrea Barrack, Global Head, Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship TD Bank Group. “We hope that their contributions to arts, culture, education, and so much more will help inspire the next generation of future leaders. Through TD’s corporate citizenship platform, The Ready Commitment, we are committed to working in collaboration with individuals and communities to create a more inclusive tomorrow.”
This year’s show will be co-hosted by award winning actor, writer, director and producer Michelle Thrush and Kaniehtiio Horn, critically acclaimed film and television actor.
The 2019 Indspire Awards will also feature performances by Indigenous talent from across the country, including: Pat Vegas of Redbone, the first Native American rock/Cajun group to have a No. 1 single in the United States and internationally; Indigenous R&B/hip hop artist, activist and MTV VMA winner PJ Vegas; eight time Grammy Award nominees, the Northern Cree Singers; classically trained operatic tenor and composer and 2018 Polaris Prize winner Jeremy Dutcher; Métis multidisciplinary artist Moe Clark; two-time JUNO winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Derek Miller; Carsen Grey, winner of the 2017 Best New Artist Award at the Indigenous Music Awards; bass player, singer, songwriter and performer Shakti Hayes; singer-songwriter Beatrice Love; and electro-pop musician Wolf Saga.
The Youth Award presenters will be Inuk actor, dancer and singer Tiffany Ayalik; stunt performer and actor Eugene Brave Rock, best known for his role as the Chief in Wonder Woman (2017); and best-selling author Cherie Dimaline, whose novel, The Marrow Thieves, won the 2017 Governor General’s Award, the One Book-One Brampton competition, and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers.
Indspire gratefully acknowledges the support of the following:
Lead Partner: Government of Canada
Presenting Corporate Sponsor: TD Bank Group
Regional Partner: Alberta Government
Indigenous Youth Sponsor: Shell Canada Limited
Major Sponsors: CBC, APTN, Suncor Energy Inc., and Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Youth Laureate Sponsor: Great-West Life
Founding Sponsor & Official Airline: Air Canada
Post-Ceremony Reception Sponsor: Teck Resources Limited
About Indspire
Indspire is an Indigenous-led national 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 invests in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students so they will achieve their highest potential. In 2017-18 Indspire awarded $14.2 million through almost 4,900 scholarships and bursaries to Indigenous students across Canada.
TD and The Ready Commitment
TD has a long-standing commitment to enriching the lives of its customers, colleagues and communities. As part of its corporate citizenship platform, The Ready Commitment, TD is targeting CDN $1 billion (US $775 million) in total by 2030 towards community giving in four areas critical to opening doors for a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow – Financial Security, Vibrant Planet, Connected Communities and Better Health. Through The Ready Commitment TD aspires to link its business, philanthropy and human capital to help people feel more confident – not just about their finances, but also in their ability to achieve their personal goals in a changing world. For further information, visit td.com/thereadycommitment
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Nick Foglia, Vice President, Communications and Marketing
416.987.0260 / 416.710.6070
nfoglia@indspire.ca
indspire.ca
