SaskMusic

Congratulations to Master of the Metis Fiddle John Arcand  on receiving the Molson Prize in the arts, awarded by Canada Council for the Arts. The prize recognizes outstanding career achievements and is valued at $50,000. Arcand is a Saskatchewan-born musician who has performed, taught, promoted and preserved the traditions of Métis fiddle and dance. His unique sound, which builds on a long family tradition of fiddle and dance, is considered essential to the identity and recognition of Métis culture. During his career spanning more than 60 years, he created over 370 tunes and produced 16 recordings. In 1998, he founded the John Arcand Fiddle Fest - a major annual fiddle event in Western Canada. Arcand has received numerous awards for his work, including the Order of Canada, a National Aboriginal Achievement Award, and the Saskatchewan Arts Board Lifetime Achievement Award (www.johnarcand.com).