In an exciting development from New Brunswick, Canada, Jeremy Dutcher has been awarded the 2024 Polaris Music Prize for his groundbreaking album Motewolonuwok. This achievement makes Dutcher the first artist in the award’s 19-year history to receive the prestigious honor twice; he previously won in 2018 for his debut album, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa. The Polaris Music Prize is awarded to the artist with the best Canadian album of the year and comes with a cash prize of $50,000, courtesy of the Slaight Family Foundation.
The announcement of Dutcher’s win took place during a ceremony at Toronto’s Massey Hall, hosted by last year’s recipient, Debby Friday. The award selection was made by a jury composed of industry writers, programmers, and broadcasters. Other notable artists who were featured on the 2024 Polaris shortlist include Bambii, the Beaches, DijahSB, Charlotte Cardin, Elisapie, Cindy Lee, Nobro, Allison Russell, and Tobi.
As he graciously accepted the Polaris Music Prize, Dutcher expressed his gratitude, saying, “Six years ago, this award changed my life. I have to give unending gratitude to this music community; please keep your hands going for all of these nominees. Not a single album on that list sounded like each other and that speaks to the breadth of music in this place. This choir, these singers, this band, everyone who helped make this album, I love you. I didn’t think this would happen.”
Currently residing in Montreal, Quebec, Dutcher is a proud Wolastoqiyik member of the Tobique First Nation. He is a classically trained Indigenous tenor, composer, and musicologist, fluently performing in English, French, and his native language, Wolastoqey. “I didn’t grow up as a fluent speaker, but I’ve worked hard to ensure it’s part of my everyday experience,” he noted in a recent interview. His debut album, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, was performed entirely in Wolastoqey.
Past Polaris Music Prize winners include notable names such as Pierre Kwenders, Cadence Weapon, Backxwash, Haviah Mighty, Lido Pimienta, Arcade Fire, Tanya Tagaq, and Kaytranada.
