THE WILLIE DUNN AWARD
ABOUt LEANNE BETASAMOSAKE SIMPSON
Leanne Betasamosake Simpson is a renowned Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg scholar, writer and artist, who has been widely recognized as one of the most compelling Indigenous voices of her generation. Her work breaks open the intersections between politics, story and song—bringing audiences into a rich and layered world of sound, light, and sovereign creativity.
Leanne is the author of seven books, including A Short History of the Blockade: Giant Beavers, Diplomacy and Regeneration in Nishnaabewin, released in the Spring of 2021. Leanne has significant waves in the music world this year, thanks to her profound, critically acclaimed album Theory of Ice, released in March of 2021 by You’ve Changed Records.
ABOUT WILLIE DUNN
William "Willie" Dunn was a Montreal-born singer-songwriter, film director and politician, who drew on his Mi’kmaq/Scottish heritage to craft protest songs about the Indigenous experience. Dunn’s 10-minute film for The Ballad of Crowfoot is often cited as “the first Canadian music video.”
ABOUt THE WILLIE DUNN AWARD
The Willie Dunn Award is presented to a Canadian trailblazer who has demonstrated excellence within the music, music video and/or film production communities. The recipient is asked to select an emerging Canadian creative who's work will be spotlighted during the Prism Prize presentation. Both recipient and the selected creator will receive cash honourariums of $2500.00..
2021 RECIPIENTS - Leanne Betasamosake Simpson / Beatrice Deer
2020 RECIPIENTS - LaurieAnn Gibson / Noor Khan
ABOUT BEATRICE DEER
Beatrice Deer, Award-Winning singer-songwriter and healthy lifestyle activist, is from the northern village of Quaqtaq (population 406) in Nunavik, Quebec. Half Inuit/half Mohawk, Deer has created a body of work consisting of five albums, in which she uniquely blends Traditional Inuit Throat Singing and Contemporary Indie Rock, whilst pioneering the music genre known as ‘Inuidie’. Her sixth album to be released in the fall of 2021. In her music, the themes covered encompass classic Inuit folk tales and legends, and also deal with personal growth as an important tool in the search for understanding and the search for meaning. She is proud to be a role model for her community.
