The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has announced that Sarah Harmer and Boi-1da will be honoured with special awards during this year's JUNO Week festivities in Vancouver.
The singer-songwriter will be presented with the Humanitarian Award at the JUNO Awards Gala on March 29, while the producer will be on stage at Rogers Arena during the awards ceremony's March 30 broadcast to receive the International Achievement Award.
"I truly appreciate this honour," Harmer said in a press release of the accolade, which recognizes outstanding Canadian artists or industry leaders whose humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced Canada's social culture. "I accept on behalf of all the people who volunteer their time to speak up to protect land, water, and the web of life in their communities, and beyond. Musicians who use their platforms to amplify these struggles give a huge boost to the collective fight. Now more than ever we need to use our powers to build community and respect the natural world that underpins our lives."
Harmer's history of weaving environmental work into her musical legacy dates back at least as far as 2005's "Escarpment Blues," a song that began her advocacy work to protect the Niagara Escarpment where she grew up. She went on to co-found the conservation group Protecting Escarpment Rural Land, which she launched a tour to promote, recording a concert and documentary film. The singer-songwriter has also been involved in pipeline protests and community environmental groups like Reform Gravel Mining Coalition and Students on Ice.
"Being recognized with the International Achievement Award at the JUNOS is a huge honour," Boi-1da said of his recognition, which honours Canadian talent that has risen our national profile worldwide. "Canada has always been home, and its music scene shaped me into the producer I am today. To be able to take that foundation and contribute to music on a global scale means everything. I hope this inspires the next generation of Canadian artists and producers to dream big and know that the world is listening."
The producer has been making hits for almost two decades, working on albums for some of the most prominent artists in the world like Rihanna, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Drake, among others — and has garnered 19 Grammy nominations along the way. He's the first producer to receive the award, which has only been given out nine times before.