Miles Morrisseau
ICT
The breakout Indigenous TV comedy series “North of North” received the most nominations for this year’s Canadian Screen Awards, with its 20 nominations beating out the 18 nominations for the sports series, “Heated Rivalry.”
“North of North,” which features an Inuk woman played by Anna Lambe who leaves her husband and begins a journey of self-discovery, has been a hit on both sides of the border. Produced by APTN, CBC and Netflix, the series has found streaming success outside of Canada on Netflix.
The producers of the series, Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril of Red Marrow Media, and Miranda de Pencier of Northwood Entertainment, issued a statement shortly after the nominations came out.
“We are deeply honored by the 20 Canadian Screen Award nominations for ‘North of North,’” they said. “Leading this year’s field is a testament to the incredible talent of our cast and crew and the power of Northern storytelling. We created this series to share the humour and heart of modern Inuk life, and we are grateful to the Academy for this recognition. Our thanks to APTN, CBC and Netflix, and the community of Iqaluit. This achievement belongs to all of us.”
On the film side, Inuk writer/producer/director Zacharias Kunuk’s latest feature film, “Uiksaringatara, (Wrong Husband),” received three nominations. The film is an historical drama in the Inuktitut language that tells the story of two lovers who are separated against their wills and must struggle to find each other again.
The film is nominated for Best Film of the Year, Best Director for Kunuk and best performance in a lead role for Theresia Kappianaq.
This movie poster illustrates the complicated relationships in the film, “Uiksaringitara: Wrong Husband,” by Inuit filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk. It was named Best Canadian Feature Film at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Credit: Courtesy of Toronto International Film Festival
Another Inuit-focused production, “Tootoo,” received a nomination for Best Documentary Program. It is a biography of Jordin Tootoo, the first Inuk to play in the National Hockey League.
“Canada’s creative community has experienced an extraordinary year, with bold storytelling and world-class talent capturing attention at home and around the globe,” said Tammy Frick, CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “The momentum we’re seeing across film, television, and digital media speaks to the power of our industry, and we’re proud to celebrate the innovation and diverse voices that carry Canada’s screen sector to new heights.”
In addition to “Tootoo,” a number of other Indigenous-led or -focused documentaries received nominations, including Best Feature Length Documentary for “James Bay 1975: the Shock of Two Nations,” about the impact of hydro electrical development in northern Quebec.
“Fairy Creek,” about an Indigenous activist blocking logging roads on Vancouver Island, is nominated for Best Sound Design in a Feature Length Documentary. And up for two awards this year is “Saints and Warriors,” which is nominated for Best Editing and Best Sound Design in a feature-length documentary. The film is about the Skidegate Warriors as they defend their title at the All-Native Basketball tournament.
‘Amplifying Indigenous voices’
It was also a big year for APTN, the world’s first all-Indigenous television network, which received a number of nominations for news and information. The daily newscast, “APTN News,” and its series, “APTN Investigates,” both received nominations, and Kenneth Jackson got a nod for best host/interviewer. The network’s news division also received recognition for best photography and best news/information segment.
“We are proud to see the work of ‘APTN News’ and ‘APTN Investigates’ recognized with six Canadian Screen Award nominations,” Cheryl Mckenzie, executive director of news and current Affairs told ICT in an email. “This honour reflects the commitment of our journalists to strong, impactful storytelling and to amplifying Indigenous voices through trusted, independent journalism.”
The documentary, “The Good Canadian,” broadcast on APTN and CBC, received two nominations for Best Social/Political Documentary and Best Editorial Research. It tells about the history and the current oppression and injustice experienced by Indigenous people.
Another series broadcast on the network, “Ghosts of Grand Rivers,” about ghost hunting on and around the Six Nations of the Grand River and Little Big Community, received nominations for best factual writing. The series shares stories about Indigenous communities across Turtle Island.
Indigenous-led productions in film and television received nominations in most of the major categories representing incredible achievements for Indigenous creatives in Canada.
Canadian actor Graham Greene at the Searchlight Pictures Special Screening of ‘Antlers at the Regal Essex Crossing’ in New York City on Oct. 25, 2021. Greene died Sept. 1, 2025, in Toronto. Credit: RW/MediaPunch /IPX via AP
Other nominees in film include Elle-Taija Tailfeathers, who was nominated for Performance in a Supporting Role for the drama, “Sweet Angel Baby.” The film is about a woman whose life is turned upside down when her secret social media persona is exposed to all in her small community.
Actor Graham Greene was nominated posthumously in the category of Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy for his role in “Sweet Summer Pow Wow.” The rom-com is about two young people who find love during a summer on the powwow trail.
And the winner is…
Winners will be unveiled during Canadian Screen Week 2026, starting Wednesday, May 27, and continuing through Sunday, May 31 at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto. Over the course of six award presentations, nominees and winners will be recognized alongside this year’s Special Award recipients, leading up to the finale: The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards.
Hosted by Andrew Phung, the awards ceremony will be broadcast and streamed on Sunday, May 31, at 8 p.m. EDT on CBC, CBC Gem, Crave, CTV, Global, and STACKTV.
Canadian Screen Awards Nominees
Here is a list of the Indigenous-led or -featured productions nominated for the Canadian Screen Awards for 2026:
‘North of North’ nominations
Best Comedy Series: North of North
Best Lead Performer/Comedy: Anna Lambe
Two nominations for Best Direction/Comedy: Zoe Hopkins, Anya Adams
Two nominations for Best Supporting Performer/Comedy: Braeden Clarke, Mailka Harper
Two nominations for Best Guest Performer/Comedy: Dan Jeannotte, Tanya Tagaq
Best Writing/Comedy Series: Stacey Aglok Mcdonald, Alethea Arnaquoq-Baril
Best Photography/Comedy: Jackson Parrell
Best Picture Editing/Comedy: Sam Thomson
Best Visual Effects
Best Sound/Fiction
Best Production Design or Art Direction/Fiction: Andrew Berry
Best Costume Design: Debra Hanson
Best Achievement in Make-up: Dorota Mitoraj, Mikey Elliot
Best Achievement in Hair: Chrystal Lotz, Tasha Codette
Best Original Music/Comedy: Brian Chan, Caleb Chan
Best Ensemble Performance/Comedy: Anna Lambe, Maika Harper, Braeden Clarke, Zorga Qaunaq, Jay Ryan
Best Achievement in Casting/Fiction: Stephanie Gorin
Other Indigenous nominations
Achievement in Editing: Jane Macrae, “Nika and Madison”
Achievement in Sound Mixing: Lou Solakofski and Maryann P’yatnochka, “Nika and Madison”
Best Guest Performance/Drama Series: Sarah Podemski, “Law and Order Toronto: Criminal Intent”
Best National Newscast: APTN National News
Best Host or Interviewer, News or Information: Kenneth Jackson
Best News or Information Program or Series: APTN Investigates
Best Photography, News or Information: Tom Fennario, APTN Investigates
Best News or Information Segment: APTN Investigates – Inside Policing “Deadly Force”
Best Lifestyle Program or Series: “Chuck and the First People’s Kitchen”
Best Live Entertainment Special: “Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2025”
Best Documentary Program: “Tootoo”
Best Local Reporter: Sis’moqon, CBC Indigenous
Best Writing/Factual: Peter Esteves, “Ghost Hunters of the Grand River”
Best Writing/Factual: Angie Pepper O’Bomsawin, Vincenzo Gianelli, “Little Big Community”
Best Performance in a Supporting Role/Drama: Elle-Maija Tailfeathers, “Sweet Angel Baby”
Best Performance in a Supporting Role/Comedy: Graham Greene, “Sweet Summer Pow Wow”
Best feature-length documentary: “James Bay 1975: The Shock of Two Nations”
Best Editing in a feature-length documentary: “Saints and Warriors”
Best Sound Design in a feature length documentary: “Saints and Warriors”
Best Sound Design in a feature-length documentary: “Fairy Creek”
Best Social/Political Documentary: “The Good Canadian”
Best Editorial Research: “The Good Canadian”
Best animated short film: “Mangittatuarjuk”
Best Direction, Lifestyle or Information: Wild Rose Vets
Best Original Music, Factual, Lifestyle, Reality or Entertainment: Coastal Carvings
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