Northern Cree

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] as well as Conan Yellowbird.

Northern Cree
OriginMaskwacis
Genrespowwow
Years active1980/82–present

Regarded as one of the best acts in modern Native American powwow music,[6] they have been named one of the most respected pow-wow 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,[8] arresting[9] hypnotic,[9][10] intense,[10] passionate,[11] exciting,[11] energetic,[8] and energizing.[7]

They have been nominated for six Grammy Awards[12] and nominated for 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.[13]

Discography

According to Allmusic they have over twenty albums out; according to their website they have released 37, mostly live recordings, on Canyon Records. Albums include:

  • Rockin' the Rez (2001)
  • Still Rezin' (2003)
  • Northern Cree & Friends, Vol. 5: Long Winter Nights (2006)
  • Stay Red (2006)
  • Red Rock: Pow-Wow Songs Recorded Live at Muckleshoot (2008)
  • True Blue (2009)
  • Temptations: Cree Round Dance Songs (2010) It's a Cree Thing (2016)
  • Ewipihcihk: ᐁᐏᐱᐦᒋᐦᐠ ["to go Round Dancing (with)," or, "he/she goes Round Dancing (with)"] (2016)
  • Nitisanak - Brothers and Sister (2018)

They were featured in the film Grey Owl (1999).[14][15] They are featured on the album Gathering of Nations Pow Wow 1999 (2000, Soar Records), which won a Grammy in 2001.[16] The group is featured in the song and music video "Indomitable" by DJ Shub, which was nominated for Best EDM/Dance Video in the 2017 iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards and won Best Music Video in the Native American Music Awards.[17] They are featured on the CDs which accompany David Bouchard's children's books in Cree and English: Nokum Is My Teacher (2006) and The Drum Calls Softly (2008), both on Red Deer Press.[1][2]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominee/Work Result Ref
2019 Juno Award Indigenous Music Album of the Year Nitisanak - Brothers and Sister [18]
2011 Grammy Native American music album Temptations: Cree Round Dance Songs Nominated [19]
2010 Grammy Native American music album True Blue Nominated [20]
2009 Grammy Native American music album Red Rock: Pow-Wow Songs Recorded Live at Muckleshoot Nominated [21]
2007 Juno Award Aboriginal Recording of the Year Stay Red Nominated [22]
2007 Grammy Native American music album Northern Cree & Friends, Vol. 5: Long Winter Nights Nominated [23]
2004 Grammy Native American music album Still Rezin' Nominated [24]
2002 Grammy Native American music album Rockin' the Rez Nominated [25]

Members
  • Charlie Wood
  • Earl Wood
  • Ferlin McGilvery
  • Joel Wood
  • Steve Wood[26]

References
  1. 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. 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: 08/23/17.
  5. Leggett, Steve. Northern Cree Singers at AllMusic. Retrieved 08/23/17.
  6. Pow-Wow Songs Recorded Live at Fort Duchesne at AllMusic. Retrieved 08/23/17.
  7. Still Rezin' at AllMusic. Retrieved 08/23/17.
  8. Huey, Steve. Showtime at AllMusic. Retrieved 08/23/17.
  9. Northern Cree & Friends, Vol. 5: Long Winter Nights at AllMusic. Retrieved 08/23/17.
  10. Tognazzini, Anthony. Red Rock at AllMusic. Retrieved 08/23/17.
  11. Huey, Steve. Here to Stay at AllMusic. Retrieved 08/23/17.
  12. "Northern Cree - Ewipihcihk (CR-6508)", CanyonRecords.com. Accessed: 08/23/17.
  13. "Gord Downie wins three Junos at music awards gala dinner Saturday night". London Free Press, Lynn Saxberg and Peter Hum. April 1, 2017
  14. La Rose, Lauren (2017). "Grammy award nominees Northern Cree will kick off ceremony in L.A.", CBC.CA. Accessed: 08/23/17.
  15. "In Our Drum We Trust (CR-6291)", CanyonRecords.com. Accessed: 08/23/17.
  16. "43rd Grammy Awards". CNN. February 21, 2001. Archived from the original on November 6, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  17. "Shawn Mendes, Grimes And A Tribe Called Red Lead The 2017 iHeartRadio MMVA Nominations!". MMVAs. Much. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  18. "Printer-Friendly Nominees & Winners". The JUNO Awards. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
  19. "53rd Annual Grammy Awards nominees list". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  20. "The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards Nominees List". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on June 18, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  21. Conner, Thomas (December 3, 2008). "Complete list of Grammy nominees". Chicago Sun-Times. Sun-Times Media Group. Archived from the original on December 7, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  22. "Nominees: 2007". JunoAwards.ca. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved January 5, 2016.
  23. "49th Annual Grammy Awards Winners List". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on December 20, 2006. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  24. "Grammy Award Winners". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. December 8, 2003. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  25. "Complete List Of Grammy Nominees". CBS News. January 4, 2002. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  26. "Northern Cree Singers". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
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