Legendary folk singer and songwriter Joni Mitchell made a rare public appearance in Canada at the Juno Awards on Sunday night, where she received a lifetime achievement award.
Canadian-born Mitchell appeared on stage at her country’s music awards alongside the country’s prime minister, Mark Carney, whom she praised. “I’m so glad to be back in Canada. This man is a blessing. You guys are so fortunate,” she added in tribute to Carney while he was at her side on stage in Hamilton, Ontario.
Mitchell, who lives in Los Angeles, added in a note of contrast: “I’m living in the States and you know what’s happening there.” The legendary musician while on stage also recalled a decade earlier when she “had a (brain) aneurysm, which changed my life. Oddly, for the better. I went into a coma, which helped me to quit smoking. And my house filled up with the most wonderful nurses. I was on the road with men for years and years; now I live with a house full of women. So my life has changed for the better out of a catastrophe like a phoenix.”
For his part, Carney said of Mitchell during his tribute broadcast countrywide on the CBC network: “During a career spanning six decades, Joni drew a map of of Canada. Oh Canada.” Also Sunday night, during a Junos awash in Canadian nationalism, award show host Mae Martin, a non-binary comedian and actor who created and stars in Netflix’s Wayward series, welcomed returning home to Canada after touring across the U.S.
“I just feel like I’m with my people, you know, people who care more about which hockey team I support then which gender I am… Coming back to Canada after living in the U.S., it feels like seeing your old friends after you’ve been in a toxic relationship that you just got out,” Martin said when taking a few swipes at Americans to the south.
Martin also pitched while on stage fellow Canadian Nelly Furtado on a video cover of her hit song “Promiscuous,” which would be retitled “Promiscuous They/Them.” “The video could be good. It’s me in sensible jeans, trying to decide which bathroom to use,” Martin added.
Also at the Junos, Canada’s version of the Grammys, The Beaches all-women rock band took home the prize for best group of the year, after winning n the same category in 2024 and 2025. “I promise you all I’ll keep working hard and I’ll stay sober,” Cameron Whitcomb said on stage after winning for breakthrough artist or group of the year with his debut album, The Hard Way, which has lyrics about his addiction and recovery journey.
In other prize giving, the best contemporary R&B recording of the year trophy was picked up by Toronto singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar for “Son of Spergy,” a tun inspired by his father. And the Juno Fan Choice Award went to Canadian rapper Alexander Leon Gumuchian, also known professionally as BBNO$.
In pre-telecast award giving, Tate McCrae, who was a no show at the Junos, won the best album of the year for So Close to What, best artist of the year, best single of the year for “Sports Car” and pop album of the year.
Another emotional high point during the Junos came when “I’m Like a Bird” singer and Latin Grammy winner Nelly Furtado was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, a tribute preceded by a pre-taped video tribute by Drake.
“Being a woman in the music industry, in any era, is something that I have to tip my hat to. The men in this business do not make it any easier. I think what was most impressive to me is the respect that all men had when they spoke about you,” the Canadian superstar said of Furtado.
That was followed a series of hits by the Portuguese-Canadian songstress performed on stage at the Junos by Alessia Cara, Jully Black, Shawn Desman and Tanya Tagaq. When accepting her career tribute, Furtado told the Junos audience: “I’m just really proud to be Canadian. I live in Canada. I make my music in Canada. And I work with Canadian musicians, songwriters and producers because I totally believe in the Canadian dream. Please believe in it, too.”
In other prize giving, the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award to Raquel McIntosh from Adelaide Hoodless Elementary School in Hamilton.
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