Northern Cree

Download high-resolution image #1: Click here

The Northern Cree Singers of Saddle Lake, Alberta are one of the top pow-wow groups in North America. They have won numerous championships at countless celebrations throughout Canada and the U.S. In July of 1998, they won the drumming contest at the First Annual July-Amsh pow-wow in Post Falls, Idaho, which has been referred to as "The U.S.'s Biggest Outdoor Pow-wow". They consistently finish among the top five drum groups at the World Championship held annually in Hartford, CT. In 2000, the Northern Cree Singers were the Aboriginal Contemporary Singing World Champions, July-Amsh Champions and Canadian National Champions. That same year they competed at 11 pow-wows, winning 9 and placing 2nd twice.

The group began drumming and singing together in 1980 when the Wood brothers traveled to Lapwai, Idaho, to compete in a stick game tournament. Their first night there, they lost all their funds and found themselves unable to get home. The only way they could earn enough money to get home was to sing at the pow-wow. (The Woods brothers had learned many songs from their father and uncles who were singers in their younger days) One of the brothers borrowed a drum from a local museum so they could sing at the pow-wow. When the arena director asked the name of the group, they looked down at the faded words, "Northern Cree" on the drum and gave that as their drum name. Thus, the Northern Cree Singers began their career as of the most powerful, respected and influential groups on the pow-wow trial.

Northern Cree has recorded 22 albums with Canyon Records of Phoenix, Arizona, which are distributed worldwide. Their 8th recording Live at Lummi was nominated for a Juno Award in 1996 and was a finalist for Best Native American Album by the Association for Independent Music (the U.S. trade group for independent companies). In 1998, they provided music and were filmed for the major theatrical film GREY OWL, starring Pierce Brosnan. Their 9th recording Dance Hard was a finalist for the Pow-Wow Album of the Year by the Aboriginal Music Awards held in Toronto, Ontario. In 2001/02, Rockin the Rez was awarded a NAMMY for Best Pow-Wow Album of the Year by the Native American Music Awards held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The same album was nominated for a GrammyÒ Award at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The group was nominated for Duo/Group of the Year at the Sixth Annual Native American Music Awards held November 15th, 2003, in Albuquerque, NM. Most recently Northern Cree received their second GrammyÒ in the Best Native American Album category for their album, Still Rezin'.

Singers and dancers alike respect them greatly for their tremendous singing and song making talents. The members of Northern Cree are family oriented and have become role models for all First Nations communities in North America. Their own children and wives participate in the pow-wow circle with them.