Juno Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year

File:Tanya Tagaq at Interstellar Rodeo, 2015.jpg

Singer Tanya Tagaq was the 2015 recipient of the award for her album Animism.

The Juno Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year is an annual award presented by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for the best album by a Canadian aboriginal person. It was formerly known as Aboriginal Recording of the Year (2003–2009) and Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording (1994–2002).

The award faced controversy in its inaugural year, after nominee Sazacha Red Sky was accused of cultural appropriation. According to the surviving children of Chief Dan George, the writer of the song she had been nominated for, she was not personally a member of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation and according to the George family did not have the right to record it under their cultural traditions. George's son Leonard sought a legal injunction to prevent the award from being presented at the Juno Awards ceremony at all, and a final compromise revising Red Sky's nomination to reflect the album instead of the song was announced on the morning of the ceremony.

Winners

Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording (1994–2002)

Year	Winner(s)	Album	Nominees	Ref.
1994	Wapistan	Wapistan Is Lawrence Martin	"Booglatamooti (The Indian Song)" performed by J. Hubert Francis and Eagle Feather "Grandfather" performed by J. Hubert Francis and Eagle Feather "Stoney Park" performed by Stoney Park Singers "The Prayer Song" (revised to Red Sky Rising) performed by Sazacha Red Sky
1995	Susan Aglukark	Arctic Rose	Akua Tuta performed by Kashtin Blue Voice/New Voice performed by Jani Lauzon Music for the Native Americans performed by Robbie Robertson and The Red Road Ensemble No Regrets performed by Tom Jackson
1996	Jerry Alfred and the Medicine Beat	ETSI Shon "Grandfather Song"	Dancing Around the World performed by Red Bull Message performed by Wapistan Sacred Ground performed by Jess Lee This Child performed by Susan Aglukark
1997	Buffy Sainte-Marie	Up Where We Belong	Freedom performed by Chester Knight and the Wind Innu Town performed by Claude McKenzie Go Back performed by Jerry Alfred and the Medicine Beat Tudjaat performed by Tudjaat
1998	Mishi Donovan	The Spirit Within	Little Island Cree - World Hand Drum Champions performed by Little Island Cree with Clayton Chief Necessary performed by No Reservations That Side of the Window performed by Tom Jackson Walk Away performed by Fara Palmer
1999	Robbie Robertson	Contact from the Underworld of Redboy	Hearts of the Nations performed by The 1997 Aboriginal Women's Voices Group Message from a Drum performed by J. Hubert Francis and Eagle Feather Thirst performed by Jani Lauzon Welcome to the Playground performed by TKO
2000	Chester Knight and the Wind	Falling Down	Love that Strong performed by Elizabeth Hill To Bring Back Yesterday performed by Fara Palmer Touch the Earth and Sky performed by Vern Cheechoo World Hand Drum Champions '98 performed by Red Bull
2001	Florent Vollant	Nipaiamianan	Figure Love Out performed by John Gracie Journey Home performed by Mishi Donovan Run As One performed by C-Weed Unsung Heroes performed by Susan Aglukark
2002	Eagle & Hawk	On and On	Crazy Maker performed by Marcel Gagnon Dark Realm performed by Nakoda Lodge Strength & Hope performed by Billy Joe Green performed by My Ojibway Experience Riel's Road performed by Sandy Scofield

Aboriginal Recording of the Year (2003–2009)

Year	Winner(s)	Album	Nominees	Ref.
2003	Derek Miller	Lovesick Blues	The Right Combination performed by Vern Cheechoo and Lawrence Martin solid wood performed by Leela Gilday performed by spirit world Standing Strong performed by Chester Knight Round Dance the Night Away performed by Randy Wood
2004	Susan Aglukark	Big Feeling	The Avenue performed by Burnt Project 1 Mother Earth performed by Eagle & Hawk Ketwam performed by Sandy Scofield In Honour of Percy Dreaver performed by Whitefish Jrs.
2005	Taima	Taima	Green Dress performed by Wayne Lavallee Full Circle performed by Pappy Johns Band with Murray Porter KATAKu performed by Florent Vollant Pishimuss performed by Claude McKenzie
2006	Burnt Project 1	Hometown	Life Is... performed by Eagle & Hawk Muskrat Blues and Rock & Roll performed by Billy Joe Green Rattle & Drum performed by Asani Sinaa performed by Tanya Tagaq
2007	Leela Gilday	Sedzé	Blood Red Earth performed by Susan Aglukark Burn performed by Jason Burnstick Seeds performed by Digging Roots Stay Red performed by Northern Cree
2008	Derek Miller	The Dirty Looks	Home and Native Land performed by Little Hawk Nikawiy Askiy performed by Sandy Scofield Phoenix performed by Fara Palmer What It Takes performed by Donny Parenteau
2009	Buffy Sainte-Marie	Running for the Drum	Auk/Blood performed by Tanya Tagaq First Law of the Land performed by Billy Joe Green No Lies performed by Tracy Bone The World (And Everything In It) performed by Team Rezofficial

Aboriginal Album of the Year (2010–present)

Year	Winner(s)	Album	Nominees	Ref.
2010	Digging Roots	We Are...	Distant Morning Star performed by Digawolf Swagger performed by Lucie Idlout Sing Soul Girl performed by Inez Jasper Trail of Tears performed by Wayne Lavallee
2011	CerAmony	CerAmony	The Black Star performed by Joey Stylez Derek Miller with Double Trouble performed by Derek Miller The Great Unknown performed by Eagle & Hawk Vigilance performed by Little Hawk
2012	Murray Porter	Songs Lived and Life Played	Speakers of Tomorrow performed by Bruthers of Different Muthers One Nation performed by Flying Down Thunder and Rise Ashen To Whom it May Concern performed by Donny Parenteau The Gift of Life performed by Randy Wood
2013	Crystal Shawanda	Just Like You	Heart on My Sleeve performed by Don Amero The Black List performed by Burnt Project 1 Samples performed by Janet Panic Bring It On performed by Donny Parenteau
2014	George Leach	Surrender	Keep a Fire performed by Amanda Rheaume Small Town Stories performed by Desiree Dorion Burn Me Down performed by Inez Jasper Road Renditions performed by Nathan Cunningham
2015	Tanya Tagaq	Animism	The Whole World's Got the Blues performed by Crystal Shawanda For the Light performed by Digging Roots Heart of the People performed by Leela Gilday The (Post) Mistress performed by Tomson Highway

See also

• Aboriginal music of Canada
• Aboriginal Canadian personalities