MUSIC AWARDS PULL INDIGENOUS ARTIST NOMINEE

A Nova Scotia musician has been pulled from consideration for Indigenous artist of the year at the East Coast Music Awards due to questions surrounding his claims to Métis heritage. The chair of the East Coast Music Association’s board of directors says the nomination of Cape Breton guitarist Maxim Cormier, pictured, who identifies as being of Acadian and Métis heritage, has been withdrawn. Dean Stairs says Cormier belongs to the Highlands Métis Nation Association, whose claims to Aboriginal heritage have not been recognized under Canadian law. Stairs called the situation “regrettable” and says the decision was made in consultation with government officials and community stakeholders. The decision was announced late last week.