No more Non-Aboriginal category for the APCMA

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The Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards (APCMA) have done away with the “Best Aboriginal Music by a Non-Aboriginal Artist” category this year, opting to allow artists and acts without government documentation to compete in all categories as long as they demonstrate a commitment to Aboriginal or Native American communities with letters of adoption/acceptance from Elders or community leaders.

The APCMA Rules and Regulations state:

“Artist(s) must be First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Native American. At least half of the members of groups of two or more artists (acts) must be First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Native American. Proof of Ancestry or Tribal Affiliation is required and the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards will recognize letters of adoption from First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Native American community leaders and Elders for artists and acts without legal documentation.

This could create some controversy as non-Aboriginal artists and acts don’t always respect Native, Métis or Inuit culture, protocol or tradition when incorporating or emulating the music.

So let’s here what you think.

Are the APCMA making a mistake by letting artists and acts without government documentation compete in all categories?

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