Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Indspire Awards and Manitoba’s award recipients
Each year, Indspire (with the help of their partners) brings hundreds of Indigenous youth to the Indspire Awards. These students experience firsthand the celebration of culture and achievement, and leave with a sense of pride for their community and excitement for their own futures. Indspire develops lesson plans to be used in conjunction with the show to expand the reach of the Indspire Awards and ensure that Indigenous youth across the country learn about these incredible Indigenous role models.
This year’s 25th anniversary show, themed “Indigitropolis”, was co-hosted by Darrell Dennis, award-winning comedian, actor, screenwriter and radio personality and Winnipeg’s own Kyle Nobess, actor (Mohawk Girls) and international speaker. The Live Voice Over Artist for the show was professional personality and producer, Winnipeg local Holly Bernier. The 2018 Indspire Awards featured Indigenous talent from across Canada, including the following individuals from Manitoba: Lisa Meeches (Cultural Liaison), Rosanna Deerchild, host of Unreserved on CBC Radio (Youth Presenter) and Buffy Handel (Choreographer for Sedna Performance).
INDIGITROPOLIS “where language lives”
The theme of the 2018 Indspire Awards was inspired by the movement of Indigenous language reclamation and revitalization, and the idea of neon signs on a skyline. The goal was to create a show that embodied the essence of “Indigenous languages thriving”. Indigitropolis can be described as a place where Indigenous languages live and thrive. It is where Indigenous culture, ceremony and identity prosper, and where everything in life is witnessed through an Indigenous world view. It is rural, it is urban, it is everywhere. A skyline was constructed which embraced the entire stage to ensure that every performance, award recipient reveal, and host introduction was being supported by language, identity and indigeneity.
The 2018 Indspire Awards ceremony was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on March 23, 2018 - to be broadcast on APTN and CBC at a later date.
Find out how you can nominate someone for the 2019 Indspire Awards at www.indspire.ca/indspire-awards
Celebrating their 25th anniversary, the 2018 Indspire Awards represents the highest honour the Indigenous community bestows upon its people. Throughout 25 years, the Indspire Awards have honoured 350 First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals who demonstrate outstanding achievement in their fields. The show is a national broadcast celebration of culture, showcasing the diversity of Indigenous people in Canada and including performances by Canada’s biggest names in Indigenous entertainment.