Toronto (Dec 01/03) - Lucie Idlout was relaxed when her name was called Friday night at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, because she didn't expect to win.

"I was getting ready to enjoy Andrea Menard's acceptance speech," said Idlout.

Instead it was Idlout who won the award for best female artist near the end of the ceremony.

On the phone from her home in Toronto Saturday morning, Idlout said she was "absolutely blown away."

The award Idlout thought she had a good chance at winning was best rock album, but she lost that earlier in the evening to Winnipeg band Burnt.

"I wasn't nervous after that," she said.

The competition in the best female artist category was stiff, she said.

"I was sure Andrea Menard was going to take that award and I was going to eat her dust," said Idlout.

But when her name was called, Idlout didn't want to get up. Though she was too overwhelmed to notice, friends told her later that the fans in the audience were going nuts.

"I had nothing prepared to say," she said of her speech. "And I forgot to thank a bunch of people."

The best part, Idlout said, was that one of her friends used her cell phone to call Idlout's mom in Iqaluit so she could listen to her daughter's acceptance speech.

"I'm getting choked up," she said, just from remembering the moment.

Idlout made sure she thanked the Canada Council for the Arts and the Nunavut Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth for their financial support.

"You cannot get into the industry without the funding agencies," she said. "You can't do it on your own, especially from the North."

Idlout has been to every Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards ceremony as a committee member, but this was her first time attending as a nominee.

"It was a gorgeous ceremony. The best one yet."

Idlout asked News/North to pass on a message for her home town.

"I want to thank Iqaluit," she said.

"I want to thank the community for supporting me all these years and helping me to be brave. And I want to thank my family for their support. They've put up with a lot," she laughed.

Idlout was out celebrating in Toronto until 2 a.m. Saturday morning. But come January she'll be back in the studio recording her next album. And with this next CD, Idlout is determined to snag that award for best rock album.

"I want that one," she said.

NWT nominee Jesse James from Rae lost out for best instrumental album to David Maracle from Cornwall, Ont. Phillip Betthale from Fort Liard received the special Keeper of Traditions in Aboriginal Music award.