Northern Cree

Northern Cree
OriginMaskwacis
Genrespowwow
Years active1980/82–present

Northern Cree, also known as the Northern Cree Singers, is a powwow and Round Dance drum and singing group based in Maskwacis,[1][2] Alberta, Canada.[3] Formed in 1980 (or 1982[4]) by Randy Wood,[1][2] with brothers Charlie and Earl Wood of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation (Plains Indian music), members originate from the Treaty 6 area. These include Ferlin McGillvary, Steve Wood, Joel Wood,[5] and Conan Yellowbird.

Regarded as one of the best acts in modern Native American powwow music,[6] they have been named one of the most respected powwow groups in North America[1] and the world.[2] The group, or their music, has been described as remarkably unified and powerful,[7] attention-grabbing, and energetic.[8]

They have been nominated for six Grammy Awards[9] and two Juno Awards. In 2017, the Singers, along with founder Randy Wood and Tanya Tagaq, won a Juno Award for Classical Album of the Year – Large Ensemble for the album Going Home Star.[10]

  1. ^ a b c Bouchard, David (2006). Nokum Is My Teacher, Postface. Illustrated by Allen Sapp. Music by Northern Cree. Red Deer Press. ISBN 978-0-88995-367-3.
  2. ^ a b c Bouchard, David and Willier, Shelley (2008). The Drum Calls Softly, Postface. Illustrated by Jim Poitras. Music by Northern Cree. Red Deer Press. ISBN 978-0-88995-421-2.
  3. ^ "Beyoncé, Drake, Adele and Justin Bieber to vie for Grammy Awards". Cbc.ca. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  4. ^ "Biography", NorthernCree.com. Accessed: August 23, 2017.
  5. ^ Leggett, Steve. Northern Cree Singers at AllMusic. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  6. ^ Pow-Wow Songs Recorded Live at Fort Duchesne at AllMusic. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  7. ^ Still Rezin' at AllMusic. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  8. ^ Huey, Steve. Showtime at AllMusic. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  9. ^ "Northern Cree - Ewipihcihk (CR-6508)", CanyonRecords.com. Accessed: August 23, 2017.
  10. ^ "Gord Downie wins three Junos at music awards gala dinner Saturday night". London Free Press, Lynn Saxberg and Peter Hum. April 1, 2017