Joni Mitchell took the stage for her first performance since 2024 after accepting a lifetime achievement award from Prime Minister Mark Carney at Sunday’s Juno Awards.

The Canadian folk icon was welcomed by Carney, who gave a glowing speech, saying “she shifted culture, inspired generations and redefined what songwriting could be.”

During her acceptance speech, Mitchell said she was “so happy to be in Canada” with “our wonderful Prime Minister.”

“I’m living in the States, and you know what’s happening there,” she said.

Mitchell then joined a musical tribute to her oeuvre, with several Canadian artists including Sarah McLachlan, Allison Russell and Jully Black.

Earlier in the night, Drake moved Nelly Furtado to tears with a video speech toasting her at the Juno Awards.

The Toronto rapper paid tribute to Furtado as she was being inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame.

Reading from a piece of paper while sitting in a studio, Drake said Furtado “showed us what was possible and what a Canadian artist could be.”

Furtado was feted by the likes of Alessia Cara, Jully Black, Shawn Desman and Tanya Tagaq in a live medley of her greatest hits.

Meanwhile, Rush opened the ceremony with their first performance at an awards show since 1978.

They performed “Finding My Way” — the first song on their first album. It was the Toronto band’s first live performance with new drummer Anika Nilles, filling in for Neil Peart, who died in 2020.

Here are some photos from the evening in Hamilton.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2026.

The Canadian Press