Juno nominations are out. The Canadian music industry will hand out the awards in Ottawa Apr 2 2017. Should be a doozy of an affair, it is Canada’s 150 birthday after all.

Shoutouts to The Strumbellas and Protest The Hero on their nominations; PTH are in the heavy metal category while the Strumbos get Fan Choice, Single and Group of the Year noms.

Gord Downie, both solo and with The Hip, gathers six nominations and it will be interesting if Downie continues down the same path he has been on advocating for no celebrations of Canada’s colonial past century and a half but rather a deeper investment by the country in the Truth and Reconciliation process.

With Buffy Saint Marie, A Tribe Called Red and the newly named Indigenous Music Album of the Year award there will be a broader spotlight on First Nations culture I’m sure. William Prince is nominated in the Indigenous Music category as well as in the Contemporary Roots category. Another interesting decision.