The Polaris Music Prize released its second collaboration session today, pairing the legendary Buffy Sainte-Marie with Tanya Tagaq for the first time. Their recording of Buffy’s song, “You Got To Run (Spirit Of The Wind)” was inspired by champion dogsled racer George Attla, who competed in the first-ever Iditarod dog sled race in 1973.

“It reminded me of growing up in Nunavut,” explains Tagaq. “Sometimes when things get difficult, you have to pick yourself up. You can’t let things bring you down. You could take it to be an anti-suicide message. I really appreciate its powerful lyrics.”

“There are very important things going on in Indian country right now,” Sainte-Marie adds. “This is a song I’d like to hand to any of our Aboriginal candidates who really are in a position, finally, to make a big difference.”