Photo: Backstage at the Indspire awards in Calgary

A handful of performers from the Feb. 27 Indspire Indigenous awards gala in Calgary ham it up back stage. From left: Pieter T (Maori R & B singer from New Zealand), Santee Smith (dancer & choreographer who performed with Tanya Tagaq), Tanya Tagaq, MC Red Cloud and Crystle Lightning, a Los Angeles hip hop duo who perform as LightningCloud, and Elbow River hoop dancer Eric Pipestem. Three Nunavummiut received Indspire awards this year: Piita Irniq, Madeleine Redfern and Jordan Konek. (PHOTO COURTESY OF T. TAGAQ)