The Juno Award for Indigenous Music Album of the Year is an annual award presented by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for the best album by an Indigenous Canadian artist or band. It was formerly known as Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording (1994–2002), Aboriginal Recording of the Year (2003–2009), and Aboriginal Album of the Year (2010–2016)."Junos rename aboriginal album category to indigenous music album of the year". Toronto Star, January 11, 2017. Indigenous artists are not excluded from consideration in other genre or general interest categories; in fact, some indigenous musicians, most notably The Halluci Nation, have actively chosen not to submit their music in the indigenous category at all, instead pursuing nomination only in the more general categories.

The award faced controversy in its inaugural year, after nominee Sazacha Red Sky was accused of cultural appropriation."Controversy surrounds aboriginal category". Montreal Gazette, March 20, 1994. According to the surviving children of Chief Dan George, the writer of the song she had been nominated for, she was not personally a member of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation and according to the George family did not have the right to record it under their cultural traditions. George's son Leonard sought a legal injunction to prevent the award from being presented at the Juno Awards ceremony at all,"Dispute threatens aboriginal Juno award". Toronto Star, March 19, 1994. and a final compromise revising Red Sky's nomination to reflect the album instead of the song was announced on the morning of the ceremony."Juno compromise reached in native song controversy". Toronto Star, March 20, 1994.

More recently, some indigenous artists have called for the category to be discontinued, on the grounds that a dedicated indigenous category "ghettoizes" their music as a niche interest not relevant to non-indigenous music fans, while others have defended it as a platform for increasing the visibility of indigenous music, arguing that even though indigenous artists are eligible in all Juno award categories, relatively few indigenous artists actually receive such nominations due to their lack of mainstream prominence and the much wider range of competition for nomination slots.Brad Wheeler, "Should there be an Indigenous Juno Awards category?". The Globe and Mail, March 20, 2020.

In late 2019, the Junos announced plans to rename the category as Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year for the 2020 ceremony. While the category would still honour particular albums, the organization said the decision was made to address questions they received from Indigenous artists "who believe they're submitting to a category meant to shine a spotlight on the accomplishments of Indigenous people." The Junos suggested the change would likely "eliminate a lot of the confusion and put us in a better position to explain the need for the category, when challenged."

At the Juno Awards of 2021, it was announced further changes were being made for the Juno Awards of 2022, splitting the category into two new categories for Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year and Traditional Indigenous Artist of the Year.

In its lifetime, the award was won four times by singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie, all of which were revoked in March 2025.Kevin Maimann, "Buffy Sainte-Marie stripped of Juno, Polaris music awards". CBC News, March 7, 2025. As the award was presented based on the indigenous character of the music rather than the ethnic heritage of the performer per se, the original questions around her indigeneity from 2023 did not impact her eligibility on their own; however, the 2025 revocation of her Order of Canada, on the grounds that she could no longer provide satisfactory proof of Canadian citizenship, led the Juno committee to revoke the awards.

Winners

Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording (1994–2002) Year Winner(s) Album Nominees Ref.1994WapistanWapistan Is Lawrence Martin "Booglatamooti (The Indian Song)" – J. Hubert Francis and Eagle Feather "Grandfather" – J. Hubert Francis and Eagle Feather "Stoney Park" – Stoney Park Singers "The Prayer Song" (revised to Red Sky Rising) – Sazacha Red Sky"Nominees: 1994". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.1995Susan AglukarkArctic Rose Akua Tuta – Kashtin Blue Voice/New Voice – Jani Lauzon Music for the Native Americans – Robbie Robertson and The Red Road Ensemble No Regrets – Tom Jackson"Nominees: 1995". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.1996Jerry Alfred and the Medicine BeatETSI Shon "Grandfather Song" Dancing Around the World – Red Bull Message – Wapistan Sacred Ground – Jess Lee This Child – Susan Aglukark"Nominees: 1996". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.1997Buffy Sainte-MarieUp Where We BelongAward revoked in 2025. Freedom – Chester Knight and the Wind Innu Town – Claude McKenzie Go Back – Jerry Alfred and the Medicine Beat Tudjaat – Tudjaat"Nominees: 1997". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.1998Mishi DonovanThe Spirit Within Little Island Cree - World Hand Drum Champions – Little Island Cree with Clayton Chief Necessary – No Reservations That Side of the Window – Tom Jackson Walk Away – Fara Palmer"Nominees: 1998". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.1999Robbie RobertsonContact from the Underworld of Redboy Hearts of the Nations – The 1997 Aboriginal Women's Voices Group Message from a Drum – J. Hubert Francis and Eagle Feather Thirst – Jani Lauzon Welcome to the Playground – TKO"Nominees: 1999". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2000Chester Knight and the WindFalling Down Love that Strong – Elizabeth Hill To Bring Back Yesterday – Fara Palmer Touch the Earth and Sky – Vern Cheechoo World Hand Drum Champions '98 – Red Bull"Nominees: 2000". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2001Florent VollantNipaiamianan Figure Love Out – John Gracie Journey Home – Mishi Donovan Run As One – C-Weed Unsung Heroes – Susan Aglukark"Nominees: 2001". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2002Eagle & HawkOn and On Crazy Maker – Marcel Gagnon Dark Realm – Nakoda Lodge My Ojibway Experience: Strength & Hope – Billy Joe Green Riel's Road – Sandy Scofield"Nominees: 2002". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.

Aboriginal Recording of the Year (2003–2009) Year Winner(s) Album Nominees Ref.2003 Derek MillerLovesick Blues The Right Combination – Vern Cheechoo and Lawrence Martin spirit world solid wood – Leela Gilday Standing Strong – Chester Knight Round Dance the Night Away – Randy Wood"Nominees: 2003". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2004 Susan AglukarkBig Feeling The Avenue – Burnt Project 1 Mother Earth – Eagle & Hawk Ketwam – Sandy Scofield In Honour of Percy Dreaver – Whitefish Jrs."Nominees: 2004". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2005 TaimaTaima Green Dress – Wayne Lavallee Full Circle – Pappy Johns Band with Murray Porter KATAKu – Florent Vollant Pishimuss – Claude McKenzie"Nominees: 2005". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2006 Burnt Project 1Hometown Life Is... – Eagle & Hawk Muskrat Blues and Rock & Roll – Billy Joe Green Rattle & Drum – Asani Sinaa – Tanya Tagaq"Nominees: 2006". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2007 Leela GildaySedzé Blood Red Earth – Susan Aglukark Burn – Jason Burnstick Seeds – Digging Roots Stay Red – Northern Cree"Nominees: 2007". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2008 Derek MillerThe Dirty Looks Home and Native Land – Little Hawk Nikawiy Askiy – Sandy Scofield Phoenix – Fara Palmer What It Takes – Donny Parenteau"Nominees: 2008". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2009 Buffy Sainte-MarieRunning for the DrumAward revoked in 2025. Auk/Blood – Tanya Tagaq First Law of the Land – Billy Joe Green No Lies – Tracy Bone The World (And Everything In It) – Team Rezofficial"Nominees: 2009". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.

Aboriginal Album of the Year (2010–2016) Year Winner(s) Album Nominees Ref.2010Digging RootsWe Are... Distant Morning Star – Digawolf Swagger – Lucie Idlout Sing Soul Girl – Inez Jasper Trail of Tears – Wayne Lavallee"Nominees: 2010". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2011CerAmonyCerAmony The Black Star – Joey Stylez Derek Miller with Double Trouble – Derek Miller The Great Unknown – Eagle & Hawk Vigilance – Little Hawk"Nominees: 2011". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2012Murray PorterSongs Lived and Life Played Speakers of Tomorrow – Bruthers of Different Muthers One Nation – Flying Down Thunder and Rise Ashen To Whom it May Concern – Donny Parenteau The Gift of Life – Randy Wood"Nominees: 2012". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2013Crystal ShawandaJust Like You Heart on My Sleeve – Don Amero The Black List – Burnt Project 1 Samples – Janet Panic Bring It On – Donny Parenteau"Nominees: 2013". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2014George LeachSurrender Keep a Fire – Amanda Rheaume Small Town Stories – Desiree Dorion Burn Me Down – Inez Jasper Road Renditions – Nathan Cunningham"Nominees: 2014". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2015Tanya TagaqAnimism The Whole World's Got the Blues – Crystal Shawanda For the Light – Digging Roots Heart of the People – Leela Gilday The (Post) Mistress – Tomson Highway"Nominees: 2015". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.2016Buffy Sainte-MariePower in the BloodAward revoked in 2025. The One – Armond Duck Chief Come and Get Your Love: The Tribe Session – Black Bear Rumble – Derek Miller Refined – Don Amero

Indigenous Music Album of the Year (2017–2021) Year Winner(s) Album Nominees Ref.2017Quantum TangleTiny Hands Fish Out of Water – Crystal Shawanda Round Dance & Beats (Powwow) – Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie Debut – Silla + Rise Earthly Days – William Prince"Nominees: 2017". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved March 8, 2017.2018Buffy Sainte-MarieMedicine SongsAward revoked in 2025. PowWowStep – DJ Shub Here & Now – Indian City The Fight Within – Iskwé Sedna – Kelly Fraser"Arcade Fire and Daniel Caesar lead 2018 Juno Award nominations". CBC Music, February 6, 2018.2019Jeremy DutcherWolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa The Ballad of the Runaway Girl – Elisapie Nitisanak - Brother and Sister – Northern Cree The Average Savage – Snotty Nose Rez Kids Standing in the Light – Leonard Sumner2020Celeigh CardinalStories from a Downtown ApartmentYellowstone – Digawolf nipiy – nêhiyawak Siqinnaarut – Northern Haze ataataga – RiitMelody Lau, "Alessia Cara and Tory Lanez lead the 2020 Juno nominations". CBC Music, January 28, 2019.2021 Leela GildayNorth Star CallingKîyânaw — Burnstick Church House Blues — Crystal Shawanda The Ridge — Julian Taylor Nunarjua Isulinginniani — Terry UyarakHolly Gordon and Andrea Warner, "Here are the 2021 Juno Award winners". CBC Music, June 4, 2021.

See also

Aboriginal music of Canada