b'INDSPIRE AWARDSThe 2014 Youth Laureates inspired the crowd at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg;Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, recipient of the L-R: Christie Lavalle, John Nicholas Jeddore, Sarah Arngnanaaq 2020 Lifetime Achievement AwardWith captivating, visually enthralling staging, the Indspire Awards have also represented excellence in visual and theatrical artistry, mirroring the excellence in achievement that they celebrate. John Kim Bell won a 1998 Gemini Award for Best Design for his work on the 1997 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards. Under the direction of former Indspire President & CEO Roberta Jamieson, who served as Executive Producer, and acclaimed filmmaker Jennifer Podemski as Creative Director and Co-Executive Producer, the Indspire Actor and producer Michelle Thrush (Blackstone, Tribal) and actor Kaniehtiio Horn (Letterkenny,Awards were nominated for Best Barkskins) brought some serious sparkle to the stage as co-hosts of the 2019 Awards Variety or Entertainment Show by the Canadian Screen Awards in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2019 respec-he said. Awards like this aregroup and the Kahurangi Moritively. With Podemski about to take important, not just as a chance toDance Theatre from New Zealandover as sole Executive Producer, the recognize the outstanding work of(with musical stylings by LightningIndspire Awards are poised to enter our people, but to inspire others.Cloud and Pieter T.). a new and vibrant era of celebrating I believe we all have a personalIndigenous achievement, just as obligation to pass on this spirit ofEstablished artists and talentedthey did in 2012.excellence to our children. newcomers alike have all cherished the opportunity to celebrateWhether they are celebrated Indigenous achievement on thisvirtually or in person, the Indspire AWARD-WINNING STAGING star-studded night, which has seenAwards continue to represent the A particularly engaging part of theits share of notable firsts. Thishighest honour the Indigenous Indspire Awards has always beenincludes the first-ever performancecommunity bestows on its own the groundbreaking musical andof Blue Moon Drive, a stunningmembers. They serve not only as an dance performances by notablecollaboration between criticallyinspiration to First Nations, Inuit and Indigenous artistsand not onlyacclaimed artists Tom WilsonMtis youth and communities, they those from Canada. The 2015(Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, Leealso emphasize just how important Indspire Awards featured anHarvey Osmond), iskw, andIndigenous contributions are to exhilarating collaboration betweensaxophonist Chuck Copenace, whichCanada as a whole: a message that the Elbow River Indigenous Dancetook place at the 2020 Awards. is both timeless and timely.2021indspiration15'