New Brunswick, Canada native Jeremy Docher has won the 2024 Polaris Music Prize for his album. Motewolonuwo. The Two-Spirit composer and musician is now the first artist in the award’s 19-year history to win the award twice. (In 2018, Docher released her debut studio LP, Wollastocyk Lintuvakonava.) With the Canadian Album of the Year win, Docher also receives a $50,000 cash prize from the Slaight Family Foundation.
The winner of the 2023 Polaris Music Prize, Debbie Uride, recognized Doncher as the winner at a ceremony she hosted at Toronto’s Massey Hall. The award is presented by CBC Music and decided by a panel of writers, programmers and presenters. Other artists shortlisted for Polaris 2024 are: Bambii, The Beaches, DijahSB, Charlotte Cardin, Elisapie, Cindy Lee, Nobro, Allison Russell and Tobi.
“Six years ago, this award changed my life,” said Docher, accepting the Polaris Music Award. “I have to give immense thanks to this music community, please keep your hands up for all these nominees. No two albums on that list sounded alike, and that speaks to the breadth of music in this place. This choir, these singers, this band, everyone who helped make this album, I love you. I didn’t think it would happen.”
Docher, who now lives in Montreal, Quebec, is a Wolastocic member of the Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick. He is a classically trained indigenous tenor, composer and musicologist who sings in English, French and the native language of his people, Wollastock. “I didn’t grow up fluent, but I’ve worked hard to make sure it’s part of my daily experience,” Docher said. Vogue: His debut last year, Wollastocyk Lintuvakonavasung in its entirety in Wolastokei.
Past winners of the Polaris Music Prize include: Pierre Kwenders, Cadence Weapon, Backxwash, Haviah Mighty, Lido Pimienta, Arcade Fire, Tanya Tagaq, Kaytranada, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Fucked Up, Feist, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Caribou, etc.