Cajun singer/songwriter, Zachary Richard, celebrates his sixth Canadian Félix Music Award this week as 2013’s “Artiste de la Francophonie S’étant le Plus Illustré au Québec”— “The Most Illustrious French Singer in Québec.” The French-speaking Canadian province of Québec hosted its version of the Canadian Juno Awards (equivalent of the American Grammy Awards) this past Sunday, October 27, where the best and brightest contemporary francophone artists were honored.

Richard is probably more popular in Canada and France than he is in the US. The musician and singer-songwriter is a long-time proponent of the French language in his native Louisiana, and is also an outspoken activist for the preservation of Cajun French music and culture, as well as an outspoken envirnmentalist

Richard has split his time since Hurricane Katrina between southeastern Louisiana and Montréal. His latest album, Le Fou, released last May, was named for the Northern Gannet sea bird that migrates between Québec and Louisiana. Just prior to the release of Le Fou, OffBeat also spoke with Richard about his experiences and inspirations that influenced the unique album that would earn him a Félix Award in the interview, “Zachary Richard Goes Crazy.”

One of five nominees in this Félix category, Richard is the only Cajun-born artist. He commented in a letter to friends and fans last week that he “owe(s) a special thanks to (his) collaborators and all those who have helped (him) through the ups and downs and shared the stormy days as well as the sunshine.” He noted that he has been warmly welcomed by the people of Québec while residing in his Montréal apartment, and that this opportunity has allowed him to expand his Cajun French music to a wider francophone audience, as well as share his messages of cultural and environmental activism outside of Louisiana.

View the list of 2013 “Artiste de la Francophonie S’étant le Plus Illustré au Québec” Félix Award Nominees here.