It's the ninth time Alberta Indigenous singing group Northern Cree is nominated at music industry's biggest night.

For festival artistic director Kerry Clarke, having Indigenous artists take the stage is important because they "represent the founding peoples of this country." 

The awards are being accused of cultural appropriation for nominating a non-Inuit artist whose songs feature throat-singing.

"I really, truly believe women heal when they’re singing with a drum," said Carol Powder, founder of Chubby Cree.

Jeremy Dutcher's album, 'Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa,' is recorded entirely in the Wolastoq language.