Three special awards announced

Page 4

The Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards announced the recipients of three special awards. The Lifetime Contribution to Aboriginal Music Award, presented to an individual who dedicates a large part of their life and career to promoting and developing Aboriginal music, is awarded to Willie Dunn.

The Keeper of Traditions in Aboriginal Music Award, presented to an individual dedicated to teaching Aboriginal culture through music, is awarded to Allan Beaver. The Music Industry Award, presented to an individual, Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal who is making or has made a significant positive impact on Canadian Aboriginal music, is presented to music journalist and author Brian Wright-McLeod.

Dunn is a singer, songwriter, musician, playwright, artist, director, award-winning film-maker, and First Nations ambassador. Dunn's songs focus on the lives and history of First Nations people. He wrote the only English song heard on Kashtin's second album Innu.

Beaver is a member of the Bigstone Cree Nation who left his community after high school graduation to pursue higher education. In 1996 Beaver was in a tragic vehicle accident which almost took his life.

He now travels to many communities in North America to share his story. Beaver is well-known for his heartwarming gospel music.

Wright-McLeod is a Dakota/Anishnabe music journalist, syndicated radio host at CKLN 88.1 FM in Toronto, and the author of the Encyclopedia of Native Music, the first and only resource of Aboriginal musicians throughout North America, released earlier in 2005. Wright-McLeod began writing professionally in 1979. He is the current chair for the Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Juno Awards (CARAS), advisory board member for the Native American music Grammy committee, Native American Music Awards and board member for the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA).