Representing the highest honour the Indigenous community bestows upon its own achievers, the Indspire Awards were created in 1993, in conjunction with the United Nation’s International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. The Awards recognize Indigenous professionals and youth who demonstrate outstanding career achievement. They promote self-esteem and pride for Indigenous communities and provide outstanding role models for Indigenous youth.

The 2017 Indspire Awards will celebrate the achievements of these recipients at the National Arts Centre:

Lifetime Achievement: Senator Murray Sinclair - St. Peter's Indian Reserve - Manitoba

Business & Commerce: Phillip "Jerry" Asp - First Nation-Tahltan Nation - British Columbia

Culture, Heritage & Spirituality: Doreen Spence - Saddle Lake - Alberta

Culture, Heritage & Spirituality: Jan Longboat (Kaheti:io) - Six Nations of the Grand River - Ontario

Education: Nathan Matthew - Simpcw First Nation - British Columbia

Health: Sherrill ‘Katsi’ Cook Barreiro - First Nation-Akwesasne First Nation - Québec

Law & Justice: Kimberly R. Murray - First Nation, Mohawk - Kahnasatake - Québec  

Politics: Cece Hodgson-McCauley - First Nation/Métis -Sahtu Dene - Northwest Territories

Public Service: Duncan McCue - Chippewas of Georgina Island - Ontario

Sports: Heather Kashman - Métis- Red River Settlement - Manitoba

Youth - First Nation: Thomas Dymond - Bear River First Nation - Nova Scotia

Youth - Inuit: Maatalii Okalik - Inuit - Nunavut

Youth - Métis: Josh Butcher - Métis Nation of Alberta