Thirteen Indspire Awards recipients, including three youth recipients and one lifetime achievement honouree, will be celebrated on March 24, 2017 in Ottawa ON.

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, March 10, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The much anticipated Indspire Awards ceremony is just two weeks away and tickets are going fast! Join us in Ottawa at the National Arts Centre on Friday, March 24, 2017 at 8.30PM for an evening to remember! Several dignitaries will attend this Indigenous ceremony, which will be broadcast nationally at a later date. Thirteen Indspire Awards recipients, including three youth recipients and one lifetime achievement honouree, will be celebrated by over 1,700 ceremony attendees, including 500 Indigenous youth from across Canada.

Special guest performer, Buffy Sainte-Marie, a well-known Cree singer-songwriter, activist, educator, visual artist and winner of countless awards, will be on stage at the newly-renovated National Arts Centre in Ottawa. The ceremony, hosted by multi-award nominated actress and singer/songwriter, Cheri Maracle, and well-known TV personality, Kyle Nobess, will feature Indigenous talent from across the country, including:

Drezus – well-known MC and a fixture of the Indigenous hip hop scene in Canada.
Mariame – powerhouse vocalist with an electric stage presence.
Elisapie – singer, songwriter, and filmmaker.
Classic Roots – producer and DJ who combines techno/house music with the beat of traditional Anishinaabe sounds.
Ashley Callingbull – Mrs. Universe 2015, activist, actor, and a contestant on the Amazing Race Canada.

To purchase tickets:
Online: indspire.ca/tickets
Toll Free: 1.855.INDSPIRE (463.7747) ext. 228
Email: ticketsales@indspire.ca

The 2017 Indspire Awards recipients are:

Lifetime Achievement: The Honourable Senator Murray Sinclair – Peguis First Nation, Manitoba
Business and Commerce: P. Jerry Asp – Tahltan Nation, British Columbia
Culture, Heritage, & Spirituality: Jan Kahehti:io Longboat – Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario
Culture, Heritage, & Spirituality: B. Doreen Spence – Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Alberta
Education: Nathan Matthew – Simpcw First Nation, British Columbia
Health: Tekatsi:tsia’kwa Katsi Cook – Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne, Québec
Law and Justice: Kimberly R. Murray – Kanehsatà:ke Mohawk Nation, Québec
Politics: Cece Hodgson McCauley – Sahtu Dene, Northwest Territories
Public Service: Duncan McCue – Georgina Island First Nation, Ontario
Sports: Heather Kashman – Métis Red River Settlement, Manitoba
Youth – First Nation: Thomas Dymond – Bear River First Nation, Nova Scotia
Youth – Inuit: Maatalii Okalik – Nunavut, Inuit Nunangat
Youth – Métis: Josh Butcher – Métis Nation of Alberta

“The Awards ceremony will be a magnificent evening of celebration of the Indigenous peoples of Canada,” said Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of Indspire and Executive Producer of the Indspire Awards. “In 2017, Canadians will mark 150 years of confederation. It is fitting that we honour the contributions and role of Indigenous peoples and look forward to the future we will build together by recognizing the life journey and accomplishments of thirteen First Nations, Inuit, and Métis visionaries, activists, and role models, who have – with passion, courage and tenacity – converted their gifts, energies and determination into achievement.”

The Indspire Awards is made possible by the generous support of a number of individual, government, and corporate supporters, including Presenting Corporate Sponsor, CIBC.

“CIBC has been a proud sponsor of the Indspire Awards since their beginning, and we are honoured to be part of this national celebration of the accomplishments, talents, and dedication of these role models,” said Victor Dodig, President and Chief Executive Officer of CIBC.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, a proud partner of Indspire, it is my great pleasure to congratulate the outstanding First Nations, Inuit and Métis honoured this evening," said the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs. "I'm proud to be part of this evening's event, which pays tribute to some of the exemplary achievements of Indigenous peoples. You are an inspiration to all Canadians – especially youth –from coast to coast to coast."

2017 Indspire Awards Supporters

Presenting Corporate Sponsor: CIBC
Lead Partner: Government of Canada
Indigenous Youth Sponsor: Shell Canada Limited
Regional Partner: Province of Ontario
Major Sponsors: Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), Corus Entertainment, Suncor Energy Inc., Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Founding Sponsor and Official Airline: Air Canada
Cocktail Reception Sponsor: Teck Resources Limited
Participating Sponsor: Ontario Power Generation, Tuccaro Inc. Group of Companies
Supporting Sponsors: Bruce Power, Imperial, The Society of Energy Professionals

The Canadian Screen Award-nominated show will be broadcast nationally by media partners Global Television and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) at a later date.

 
About the Indspire Awards
The Indspire Awards have celebrated the significant contributions of Indigenous people in Canada for 24 years. The Awards are aligned with Indspire’s mandate to provide educational support and programs for future generations to succeed. They promote self-esteem and pride for the Indigenous community and provide outstanding role models for Indigenous youth. They recognize the success of individuals who have the discipline, drive and determination to set high standards and accomplish their goals.

The national jury for the Indspire Awards is comprised of previous recipients, who represent a range of economic sectors, fields of endeavor, and regions across the country. From hundreds of nominations, the jury selects career achievement award recipients, three youth award recipients (First Nation, Inuit, and Métis), and one lifetime achievement award. Recipients are selected through a process that is based on the highest merits of fairness and respect to all of the highly-deserving nominees.

About Indspire
Indspire is an Indigenous-led registered 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 disburses financial awards, delivers programs, and shares resources with the goal of closing the gap in Indigenous education. Through the K-12 Institute, it provides resources to educators, communities, and other stakeholders who are committed to improving kindergarten to grade 12 success for Indigenous youth. In 2015-16, Indspire has provided $12.2 million through 3,792 bursaries and scholarships to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students. Each year, the organization presents the Indspire Awards, a celebration of the successes achieved by Indigenous people that is broadcast nationally.

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Anne Marie Gabriel, CAE, VP Communications
Indspire
416 987 0260
email us here