(Toronto) Jeremy Dutcher won the Polaris Music Prize on Tuesday night for his second album, Motewolonuwok.
For the first time in the award’s 19-year history, the $50,000 prize for best Canadian album of the year was awarded to a former Polaris winner.
Dutcher won the Polaris in 2018 for his debut album, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawawhich features the lyrical tenor performing a duet in the Wolastoq language with archival recordings of his ancestors.
His latest album is a collection of songs that Dutcher has described as confronting the nuances of the modern Indigenous experience, ranging from its sadness to its joy.
The Polaris is considered one of the most prestigious music awards in the country.
Previous honorees include Haviah Mighty, Kaytranada, Pierre Kwenders and Debby Friday, who hosted this year’s ceremonies.
The winner receives a cash prize of $50,000 and greater worldwide recognition for his or her album.