Jeremy Dutcher took home one of Canada’s biggest music prizes for his record Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa at the Carlu in downtown Toronto Monday night. Dutcher, a Wolastoqiyik member of the Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick, was awarded the 13th annual Polaris Music Prize for the Canadian record judged to be the best based on artistic merit.

Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa beat out an impressive crop of competitors that included records from U.S. Girls, Daniel Caesar, Alvvays, Weaves, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Hubert Lenoir, Partner, Pierre Kwenders, and Jean-Michel Blais.

Check out some of the evening’s images below.

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Congratulations to the 2018 Polaris Prize Winner: Jeremy Dutcher! // 2018 Gala performers included U.S. Girls, Weaves, Partner, Jean-Michel Blais, Jeremy Dutcher, Hubert Lenoir, Pierre Kwenders, and Snotty Nose Rez Kids // Gala hosted by Raina Douris // ?: @mathew_tsang #polaris2018 #indie88

A post shared by Indie88 (@indie88toronto) on Sep 17, 2018 at 10:41pm PDT

“This is the greatest moment of my life!” Dutcher exclaimed after receiving the award on stage from 2017 winner Lido Pimienta.

“Canada, you are in the midst of an Indigenous renaissance,” said Dutcher. “Are you ready to hear the truths that need to be told? Are you ready to see the things that need to be seen?”

Dutcher takes home the $50,000 cash prize for his win. All shortlisted finalists received a $3,000 cash award.

Image via Mathew Tsang