Jeremy Dutcher’s Win In Focus For Polaris Podcast EP19

Jeremy Dutcher at the 2018 Polaris Gala. Photo by Dustin Rabin.

Jeremy Dutcher has won the 2018 Polaris Music Prize for the album Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa.

In the latest episode of the Polaris Podcast we spoke with Dutcher about how he felt when he won and what his name means.

Dutcher also spoke on who Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, an album sung entirely in the Wolastoqiyik language, was meant for.

“For me to do this work unashamedly and not have to translate it, do it from our perspective and be steadfast in that, I hope that’s shining a light on a way forward on how to create our art from our perspective,” said Dutcher. “Just create it for the audience it’s meant for and if people want to witness that’s great and they’re welcome. They’re always welcome. But fundamentally it’s for my people.”

The episode also featured a segment with Grid City Magazine’s Matt Carter, the Polaris Grand Juror who was tasked with speaking on behalf of Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa at the 2018 Polaris Gala.

“His music is full of hope and optimism for the Wolastoqiyik people, indigenous people from coast to coast and every one of us who calls Canada home,” said Carter.

The Polaris Podcast is available from iTunes, Google Play, Soundcloud, Spotify, and on podcast distribution services such as Acast, Overcast, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, Pod Knife and TuneIn.

Listen to the episode now