Native Americans and Canadian First Nations have rich connections with music through song and the use of instruments. Social gatherings in Indian country such as powwow and round dance allow powwow singers to share traditional and contemporary songs. Other contemporary artists embrace traditional instruments and sounds to produce music for the purposes of social activism and tribal mentorship. “Indigenous Sounds in Indian Country” is a curated list of Native American and First Nations powwow groups, flutist, poets, and performance activists.
Powwow Groups
Powwow music is the heartbeat of powwow and round dance celebrations in Indian country. The drum comes in various sizes and materials. Drums are predominately compiled with materials such as wood, hide, and rawhide. Groups such as Northern Cree, Young Bear, Black Lodge Singers, Big River Cree, Black Otter, Midnite Express, Bear Creek, and Stoney Creek have made successful careers on the powwow circuit. Featured in this section are groups with various styles and tribal affiliations. Found on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube, many of these artists have released studio albums.
Northern Cree has over 20 years of experience and more than 25 studio albums. Northern Cree has been nominated and received six Grammys. Big River Cree has 14 studio albums and Young Bear has four studio albums and over 17 years of experiences. Black Lodge Singers has six studio albums, one of which for children. Native American powwow music is readily available on video outlets such as Youtube and Vimeo. Indian Country Today has an incredible article on many of these artists: Here
Northern Cree:
“Northern Cree Crow Hop @ Mandaree 2015.”
“Northern Cree @ Mandaree 2015! SNL Drum Solo Contest!”
Midnite Express:
“Midnite Express @ Mandaree 2015! SNL Drum Solo Contest.”
“Midnite Express @ Mandaree 2015! Side step!”
“Keeping the Beat” with Midnight Express’ Dylan Jennings (Chippewa)
Young Bear:
“Young Bear Live @ Mayetta 2016.”
“Young Bear – 2016 Seminole Tribal Fair.”
Flutist and Performance Artists:
Flute music has a strong relationship with Native American and First Nations peoples of North America. The flute in many Native American tribes hold deep ceremonial roots. Flute designs alter throughout the United States and Canada. Flutes are constructed with organic materials such as wood (cedar, redwood and other wood types), hides, and cotton thread. Flutist such as Joseph Firecrow (Cheyenne), Randy Wood (founding member of Northern Cree), and Ryan Little Eagle (Lakota/Apache) adopt traditional flute songs about the connection with the natural world, animal sounds, and romance. Firecrow produces music to include contemporary instruments such as electric guitar and percussion. Performance artist such as sisters Fawn, Raven, and Tia Wood (Cree/Salish); Radmilla Cody (Navajo); and Chris Parrish (Supaman) combine Native American flute and drum in their music styles.
Joseph Firecrow:
“Joseph Firecrow Live Nammys 2010.”
Supaman:
“Studio Enjoy: Supaman – ‘Prayer Loop Song.”
Radmilla Cody:
“’A Beautiful Dawn’ by Radmilla Cody.”
Fawn Wood:
Wood Sisters:
“Kalispel Powwow 2010: The Wood Girls in 3-Person Hand Drum Contest”
Indian Activism and Social Justice
Activism in Indian Country is represented through protest, community outreach, and performance art. Recording artist such as Frank Waln (Sicangu Lakota), Nataanii Means (Oglala Lakota/Navajo/Omaha)*, Inez Jasper (Sto:lo First Nations), Mike Witko Cliff (Oglala Lakota)*, and A Tribe Called Red* use music as a means to discuss topics such land degradation, poverty, sexual and physical assault, and substance abuse. MTV released a video series titled “Rebel Music, Native America: 7th Generation Rises,” which featured these artist and their work. Slam poets Rowie Shebala (Navajo) and Winona Linn (Muscogee)* discuss similar subjects about culture and misconceptions about Indian identity. These videos too can be found on Youtube.
Supaman (Crow) is especially renowned for his adaptation of Crow culture in a video titled “Prayer Loop Song.” Supaman uses his music and comedy for community outreach and mentorship. He raps about Crow tradition, ministry, and topics such as poverty, racism, and injustice. Rock duo Scatter Their Own (Scotti Clifford and Juliana Brown Eyes-Clifford) sing about food sovereignty and clean water in a video titled “Taste The Time.” Indigenous peoples in entertainment are using their talents to make a difference in their communities.
Supaman:
Scatter Their Own:
“Scatter Their Own: Taste The Time”
*Adult content and strong language
Bibliography
Anthony Whiteman. “Midnite Express @ Madaree (Mandaree) 2015! Side Step.” Youtube Video. Posted 22 July 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymMpkDtLgdE
Anthony Whiteman. “Midnite Express @ Mandaree 2015! SNL Drum Solo Contest.” Youtube Video. Posted 26 July 2016. https://youtu.be/RKSEk9jh5jM?t=1m4s
Anthony Whiteman. “Northern Cree Crow Hop @ Mandaree 2015.” Youtube Video. Posted 26 July 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pXtdIDdzJw.
Anthony Whiteman. “Northern Cree @ Mandaree 2015! SNL Drum Solo Contest!” Youtube Video. Posted 27 July 2015. https://youtu.be/LrKDmn6-d7Q?t=1m10s
Billings Gazette. “Studio Enjoy: Supaman – ‘Prayer Loop Song.” Youtube Video. Posted 20 February 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0jq7jIa34Y
Canyon Records. “’A Beautiful Dawn’ by Radmilla Cody.” Youtube Video. Posted 8 December 2010. https://youtu.be/Aan6xjG2XRs?t=19s
Greasyface. “Supaman – Why.” Youtube Video. Posted 4 September 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiVU-W9VT7Q
Greasyface. “Supaman – Somewhere.” Youtube Video. Posted 6 January 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3JMKF_tXKQ
MTV. “Rebel Music Native America: 7th Generation Rises.” Youtube Video. Posted 7 May 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aRwprNai4A
Native Music Awards. “Joseph Firecrow Live Nammys 2010.” Youtube Video. Posted 27 November 2010. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oisALdYWhPg
New Mexico Powwow. “Young Bear – 2016 Seminole Tribal Fair.” Youtube Video. Posted 5 February 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L4TWCmAn80
New Mexico Powwow. “Young Bear – 2016 Seminole Tribal Fair.” Youtube Video. Posted 5 February 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L4TWCmAn80
Schilling, Vincent. “Can’t Go Wrong With These Four Drum Groups: 2016 Hot List.” Indiancountrytoday.com. Accessed 21 July 2016. http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/07/20/cant-go-wrong-these-four-drum-groups-2016-hot-list-165171
Scatter Their Own. “Scatter Their Own: Taste The Time.” Youtube Video. Posted 17 October 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FdHetLTpgk
Powwow Time. “Kalispel Powwow 2010: The Wood Girls In 3-Person Hand Drum Contest.” Youtube Video. Posted 5 December 2010. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ1ADRoql9U
Wisconsin Media Lab. “’Keeping The Beat’ With Midnight Express’ Dylan Jennings.” Vimeo.com. Posted 3 2013. https://vimeo.com/57483421
Youngbizzle12. “Young Bear Live @ Mayetta 2016.” Youtube Video. Posted 11 June 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY_XcZN8FkA
