Winners of this year’s Canadian Folk Music Awards were recognized during a celebratory and music-filled, extended CFMA 2026 Awards Weekend, April 9-12, in Calgary, Alberta.
The Canadian Folk Music Awards were established in 2005 to bring greater exposure to the breadth and depth of Canadian folk music, celebrating and promoting it in all its forms. The annual awards in 21 categories were presented during four concerts showcasing many of the talented nominees. More than 100 jurors — located across Canada and representing all of its official provinces, territories and languages — determined the recipients in each category.
A complete list of winners in the 2026 Canadian Folk Music Awards nominees follows, while recorded livestreams of the concerts and awards presentations may be found, along with more information, online at www.folkawards.ca.
Stan Rogers Traditional Singer Award: Matthew Byrne – Stealing Time
Contemporary Singer of the Year: Julian Taylor – Pathways
Vocal Group of the Year: PIQSIQ – Legends
New Artist of the Year: Claire Morrison – Where Do You Go at Night?
French Songwriter of the Year: Guillaume Arsenault – Les plantes continuent de pousser même quand tu dors – Face B
English Songwriter of the Year: Terra Spencer – Sunset
Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year: Rachel Therrien – Mi Hogar II
Solo Artist of the Year: Lennie Gallant – Shelter From the Storms
Indigenous Songwriter of the Year: TIE — Aysanabee – Edge Of The Earth and Inuksuk Mackay and Tiffany Ayalik (PIQSIQ) – Legends
Album Artwork of the Year: Ru Rose – Revival
Oliver Schroer Pushing the Boundaries Award: Oktoecho – Saimaniq Sivumut
Single of the Year: AHI – Human Kind
Contemporary Album of the Year: AHI – The Light Behind The Sun
Instrumental Composer of the Year: Eric Abramovitz, Rebekah Wolkstein and Drew Jurecka – Schmaltz and Pepper
Producer of the Year: Ben Plotnick for “Every Colour Left” by Loud in the Pines
Instrumental Group of the Year: The Fretless – Glasswing
Ensemble of the Year: Cassie and Maggie – Gold and Coal
Traditional Album of the Year: Matthew Byrne – Stealing Time
Global Roots Album of the Year: Kazdoura – Ghoyoum
Children’s Album of the Year: Ginalina – All the Earth Speaks
Young Performer of the Year: Max Francis – Home
