Jeremy Dutcher wins Canada’s Polaris Prize
Dutcher, who sings in the indigenous Wolastoq language, won for his Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa.
Post-classical singer and composer Jeremy Dutcher has won 2018's Polaris Prize. The annual award is given to one Canadian album deemed to be the year's best by a panel of critics and music industry figures. Dutcher's Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa beat competition from artists including U.S. Girls, and Weaves at a ceremony in Toronto on Monday night, September 17.
Dutcher, who performs in the indigenous Wolastoq language, wins a prize of 50,000 Canadian dollars. At the ceremony he delivered a statement in English and his native language, saying: “All my people, this is for you … What you see on this stage tonight, this is the future. This is what’s to come.”
He later tweeted “You are in the midst of an indigenous renaissance. Are you ready to hear the truth that needs to be told? Are you ready to see the things that need to be seen?”
You are in the midst of an Indigenous renaissance. Are you ready to hear the truth that needs to be told? Are you ready to see the things that need to be seen? pic.twitter.com/1PrTOTXWx0
— Jeremy Dutcher (@jdutchermusic) September 18, 2018
Watch Dutcher's performance from the Polaris ceremony below and stream Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa.