About This Episode
Filmed against the Arctic landscape of Ice Cove, Nunavut, North of North actresses Zorga Qaunaq and Jennifer Kilabuk host a historic broadcast celebrating 13 Indspire laureates, including a first-ever Music Award recipient. The film culminates in the Lifetime Achievement Award for Indigenous activism trailblazer Fred Kelly, before closing with a lit qulliq and one final question: Where will your journey lead you? ➤ Stream full episodes, for free, on CBC Gem: https://gem.cbc.ca ➤ Subscribe: @CBC --- Indspire 2026 brings a fresh, vibrant twist to the annual awards film, led by an exciting new hosting duo: Zorga Qaunaq and Jennifer Kilabuk, actresses from APTN, CBC, and Netflix's hit series North of North. Together, they bring a playful, humorous energy that keeps the broadcast light and joyful, without ever distracting from what matters most: honouring the 13 extraordinary Indspire laureates and their achievements. This year marks a historic milestone for Indspire: for the first time, 13 outstanding Indigenous achievers will be celebrated, expanding beyond the traditional 12 categories by adding a Music Award. Opening the Hour For the first time, host segments step out of a studio setting and into the breathtaking landscape of Ice Cove (Apex), Nunavut. Surrounded by snow, shoreline, and open sky, Zorga and Jennifer ground the broadcast in place, culture, and pride. The film opens with playful banter as Zorga imagines an over-the-top cinematic entrance to the awards, leaning into dramatic Arctic adventure tropes. Jennifer gently brings her back to reality, reminding her and the audience that the show is about celebrating Indigenous excellence. Their easy humour and chemistry immediately establish the tone for the journey ahead. Honouring the Laureates Each vignette immerses viewers in a distinct world, featuring artists, leaders, land protectors, innovators, and cultural carriers. These segments celebrate each laureate’s accomplishments while inspiring audiences of all ages, reminding us what’s possible when talent, resilience, and purpose come together. Guiding the Journey Between groupings of vignettes, Zorga and Jennifer return as guides, reflecting on themes of perseverance, community, and the journeys that shape great leaders. Their conversations unfold against the Arctic landscape in moments that blend humour with sincerity. Zorga brings bold comedic spontaneity and unmistakable Inuk pride, often turning ordinary moments into playful bits that keep the broadcast light and joyful. Jennifer balances that energy with calm warmth and thoughtful reflection, grounding the segments with a deep respect for the stories being shared. Together, their dynamic feels authentic, modern, and unmistakably northern. A Moment Of Persistence As the broadcast builds toward the Lifetime Achievement Award, our host, Jennifer, cannot find Zorga anywhere. A montage plays of Jennifer looking for Zorga. Eventually Jennifer finds Zorga, who simply wanted ot be alone. The moment becomes an opportunity for reflection. The hosts acknowledge that not all journeys go as planned, but persistence is part of the path forward. In that moment, they introduce the Lifetime Achievement recipient: Fred Kelly, a trailblazer of Indigenous activism whose decades of leadership helped shape the Indigenous civil rights movement in Canada and whose work continues to influence generations of Indigenous leaders today. Closing The story then comes full circle as Zorga and Jennifer finally arrive at the awards celebration, leading into a vibrant montage capturing the joy, emotion, and community of the Indspire Awards. In the final moments, the broadcast returns to Ice Cove. Standing once again against the vast Arctic landscape, the hosts light a qulliq and reflect on the stories shared throughout the show. --- About CBC Gem: CBC Gem offers the full programming slate, from drama to documentaries to sports. CBC Gem is available for free via Apple TV and Google Chromecast and as an App for iOS, tvOS, Fire TV, Android TV, Android phones and tablets, LG and Samsung Smart TVs, Roku, Xbox One/S/X, and and online at https://gem.cbc.ca --- About CBC: Welcome to the entertainment side of CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster. CBC is dedicated to creating content with original voices that inspire and entertain. Watch sneak peeks and trailers, behind-the-scenes footage, full episodes, original web series, digital exclusives and more. Connect with CBC Online: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cbc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbc Twitter: https://twitter.com/cbc --- We encourage thoughtful comments and respectful discussion. Before commenting, please review our community guidelines: http://www.cbc.ca/aboutcbc/discover/submissions.html