at 22:33 on November 24, 2006, EST.


Susan Aglukark performes during the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. Aglukark won the award for best music video. (CP PHOTO/Nathan Denette)
TORONTO (CP) - Multi-talented women were multiple winners at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards handed out Friday.

Singer and actress Andrea Menard led the pack with three awards, including best folk album and album of the year for "Simple Steps" and best single for "100 Years." The accolades come on the heels of a Western Canadian Music Award last month in Winnipeg, when the Saskatoon-based Metis artist won for outstanding aboriginal recording.

However, Menard - also a celebrated actress, singer/songwriter and playwright - lost the title of best female artist to Toronto-based singer and actress Tamara Podemski, who also won for best songwriter.

Menard's acting credits include "Moccasin Flats" and the one-woman stage play "The Velvet Devil," while Podemski has been seen in TV shows "The Rez" and "Ready or Not" and the 1995 film "Dance Me Outside."

Jared Sowan of Edmonton took the titles of best male artist and best blues album for his debut, "Eclectically Yours."

Northern Cree of Saddle Lake, Alta., walked away with two awards - best powwow album (contemporary) and best hand drum album.

Menard and Podemski, as well as Susan Aglukark and Donna Kay with Little Island Cree, each held four nominations going into the awards show.

Aglukark walked away with the trophy for best music video.

The 19 trophies were to be handed out at a gala Friday night as part of the Canadian Aboriginal Festival, an annual celebration featuring powwows, live music and craft shows.

The awards show, hosted by Menard, was to include a tribute to the East Coast and its indigenous art and a performance by a Maori group from New Zealand, organizers said.

Some of the proceedings will be broadcast on CHUM television stations in the new year.


Winners of the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards handed out Friday in Toronto:

Best Female Artist: Tamara Podemski

Best Male Artist: Jared Sowan

Best Group or Duo: Eagle & Hawk

Best Blues Album: Jared Sowan, for "Eclectically Yours"

Best Country Album: Mike Gouchie, for "Bad Boys & Angels"

Best Hand Drum Album: Northern Cree & Friends, for "Slide & Sway"

Best Fiddle Album: Cliff Maytwayashing, for "Skiffle Fiddle"

Best Folk Album: Andrea Menard, for "Simple Steps"

Best Rock Album : Highway 373, for "No Limits"

Best Rap or Hip Hop Album: Reddnation, for "Now or Never"

Best Pow Wow Album (traditional): Red Bull, for "Enter the Circle"

Best Pow Wow Album (contemporary): Northern Cree, for "Nikamo-Sing"

Best Female Traditional Cultural Roots Album: M'Girl, for "Fusion of Two Worlds"

Best Album of the Year: Andrea Menard, for "Simple Steps"

Best Songwriter: Tamara Podemski

Best Song Single: Andrea Menard, for "100 Years"

Best Producer/Engineer: Peter Bacsalmasi for "The Journey," by Donna Kay with Little Island Cree

Best Album Design: David R. Maracle, for "Sacred Healing"

Best Music Video: Susan Aglukark, for "I Will Return"


©The Canadian Press, 2006