Artist of the Year Award
2023 Winner—39th Annual Arts Awards

Deantha Edmunds is Canada's first Inuk professional classical singer. She was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in December 2023 for her activity as a performer, writer, composer, and mentor—work which seeks to empower Indigenous people and share their stories. She's currently based in St. John's. Edmunds has released three albums, and she performs as a soloist with professional ensembles across Canada and abroad. Notable appearances include performing for Pope Francis in Iqaluit and the official apology to Inuit Residential School survivors in 2022, and singing the Nunatsiavut anthem for King Charles at the St. John's welcome ceremony of the 2022 Canadian Royal Tour, which focused on reconciliation. As one of Canada's official delegates at the Opera Europa Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, in October 2023, Deantha had the opportunity to introduce her opera, Irngutaq, which is the first written and composed by an Inuk.