Congratulations to Leonard Sumner (CBC New Indigenous Voices) who received the TD Indigenous Songwriter Award at the Indigenous Music Awards, presented by TD Bank Group and the SOCAN Foundation.

Leonard accepted the prestigious award last week, along with a prize of $10K, a beautifully crafted hand drum made by Robert Caribou and painted by Patrick Ross and a special showcase opportunity through the Indigenous Music Award’s Facebook page.

The TD Indigenous Songwriter Award winner is determined by a jury of SOCAN members. This year’s esteemed panel included Kinnie Starr as jury chair and Tiffany Ayalik and Amanda Rheaume who carefully reviewed over 100 submissions from across Turtle Island.

Leonard is an Anishinaabe MC/singer/songwriter from Little Saskatchewan First Nation, located in the heart of the Interlake of Manitoba. His album Standing in the Light was nominated for Indigenous Album of the Year at the 2019 Juno Awards.

Watch Leonard’s award showcase below.