Big Dave McLean, Sebastian Gaskin Win JUNO Awards in Vancouver

The envelopes were opened at the 2025 JUNO Awards in Vancouver and two artists from Manitoba have won hardware! The winners for the 54th annual awards were announced by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) at the JUNO Gala Awards on March 29, which was live streamed by CBC Music.

Blues legend Big Dave McLean earned the JUNO Award for Blues Album of the Year for his latest album, This Old Life (Cordova Bay Records*Fontana North). A six-time nominee, this was McLean's first win. 

Toronto-based, Tataskweyak Cree Nation multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter and producer Sebastian Gaskin earned his first JUNO this year for Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year for Brown Man (Ishkōdé*Universal). Gaskin also performed his song "Medicine" during the Gala. 

Artists from Manitoba garnered nominations in eight JUNO categories this year. 2025 nominees included Boy Golden (Contemporary Roots Album of the Year), Jocelyn Gould (Jazz Album of the Year: Solo), Jordan St. Cyr (Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year), The Secret Beach (Adult Alternative Album of the Year). Former Manitobans James Ehnes and Loreena McKennitt also earned nods for Classical Album of the Year (solo artist) and Traditional Roots Album of the Year, respectively.

For a complete list of 2025 JUNO Awards winners, go to junoawards.ca.