The latest group of Canadian icons to be inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame include two trailblazing women: powerhouse Indigenous actress Tantoo Cardinal and pop-punk star Avril Lavigne. 

For 25 years, Canada’s Walk of Fame has honoured Canadians that have made groundbreaking contributions across various fields, including arts and entertainment. The names of their 200+ inductees can be seen engraved on stars across the streets of Toronto’s Entertainment District.

Avril Lavigne and Tantoo Cardinal’s inductions were announced earlier this week, in addition to Gary Slaight, a philanthropist and broadcast industry leader, and Michael Budman and Don Green, the founders of Roots. 

A fundamental player in the early 2000s pop-punk scene, Avril Lavigne’s smash hits and artistic force make her a superstar to be reckoned with. With 20+ years in the industry, Lavigne has sold 50 million albums worldwide, received 8 JUNO awards, and 8 Grammy nominations. 

Her instantly recognizable headbangers like Complicated, Sk8ter Boi, Girlfriend and What The Hell were era-defining songs that live on today as cultural moments. She continues to make bold and unapologetic music, with her 2022 album Love Sux marking her return to her pop-punk roots.

Throughout her impressive 50-year career, Tantoo Cardinal appeared in more than 130 film, television and animation projects, most recently, Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. She was a showstopper in Falls Around Her, her first starring role, and was also known for her roles in Stumptown, Three Pines, Dances With Wolves, and Legends of the Fall. 

Cardinal is undoubtedly a trailblazer. She has broken down barriers for Indigenous actors and filmmakers, consistently challenged harmful Indigenous stereotypes, and advocated for the rights of Indigenous peoples and the environment. She received the Governor General’s Award and was also named a member of the Order of Canada.

Cardinal acknowledged her induction with a heartfelt message yesterday. “I’m going to have to share it with the people who saw this star when I couldn’t. When the walk was dark, they shone on me.”

These two women are pioneers in Canadian arts and entertainment, fearless artists who have defined important parts of Canadian culture, and is delightful to see them being honoured for their meaningful contributions.

Canada’s Walk of Fame 25th anniversary celebration will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on December 2. The broadcast will air on CTV at a later date. More info here.