Native American Music Awards - NAMA LIVE

02/01/2025

Indigie Femme is a world-renowned, award-winning duo that masterfully weaves the rich cultural traditions of Diné, Samoan and Maori heritage into their music. Their soulful harmonies, vibrant rhythms, and captivating performances have earned them widespread acclaim, including the 2024 New Mexico Music Award for Best Vocal Performance and the Global Music Awards. With powerful storytelling and a dynamic stage presence, Indigie Femme creates an unforgettable experience that celebrates cultural resilience, unity, and the enduring power of music to inspire and uplift audiences across the globe. Best International Duo, 2012 NMMA winners, 2011 Native American Music Awards winners, double NMMA winners (4 nominations) & Sacramento Women of Color & Diversity Honorees. They have been nominated for Best Folk Recording for “Just To Be” www.indigiefemme.com

01/31/2025

Painted Raven is a trio featuring Annette Abbondanza, Holly Red Feather, and Kimberly Kridler. Together, they showcase the versatility of the ancient Native American flute through their Lakota and Cherokee heritage supported by guitars, keyboards, ethnic percussion instruments, drums, and more. The band’s modern, all-original flute music is inspired by the beauty and strength of the human bonds with nature, each other, and the Creator throughout various genres including; rock, jazz, blues, inspirational, meditational, and healing. Florida-based Painted Raven enjoys sharing their music and love for the flute in person, online, and through television, webcast, and radio appearances throughout the United States and abroad. With twelve albums to date, the band has been honored with multiple nominations and awards in various categories by organizations including the Native American Music Awards and One World Music Awards. They are nominated for Best Instrumental Recording for their “Mandala” album.To learn more about Painted Raven, or for sound clips and videos, please visit painted-raven.com http://www.painted-raven.com/

01/30/2025

Nominated for Best Americana Recording for “Sister Star”, Sandy Swallow is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota and Northern Cheyenne nations. Sandy Swallow’s older sister Donna Swallow was murdered in 1968 at the young age of 21. Sandy’s desire and vision as an artist has always been to honor her and all MMIW victims. But her song, “Sister Star” is her latest tribute that honors the memory of her sister, “When I look to the Stars in Heaven, I think of my Sister.” She wants people to know that her sister was a strong Lakota Woman and should not be defined just by her death. Her husband inspired her to pursue her passion for painting and her strong family history through the arts. The Sandy Swallow Gallery is a Native American owned and operated art gallery by Sandy Swallow and features other Oglala Lakota artists of many unique Native American crafted items including; fine art, handcrafted jewelry, and designer casual apparel. In May of 2007, Sandy was commissioned to provide art work for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA Guide to American Indians and Alaska Natives Programs.). In November 2007, Sandy received an Invitation from the First Lady Laura Bush to the White House Reception for her painting of the National Parks (Devils Tower) Christmas Ornament. Musically, she has collaborated with her husband Scott Simpson for the song “Sister Star” which is a tribute to her late sister. (https://www.sandyswallowgallery.com/)

01/30/2025

Joel Wood, a proud Plains Cree, is a Traditional Indigenous Artist celebrated for his powerful voice and dedication to cultural preservation. A JUNO Award-winning artist and three-time nominee, Joel has released four acclaimed albums showcasing traditional powwow, round dance, and prayer songs. Through his music, he shares the rich heritage of his people, connecting audiences worldwide to the beauty and resilience of Indigenous traditions. Joel Wood’s album Singing Is Healing, was a Juno Award nominee for Traditional Indigenous Artist of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2022 and Sing. Pray. Love., which won the same category at the Juno Awards of 2024. He is the son of Steve Wood, a musician with the traditional Cree group Northern Cree with whom Joel has also performed as a member. Joel is nominated for Best Traditional Roots Recording for “Sing. Pray. Love” featuring the songs Hear Our Prayers - Speak Cree, nad Love One Another by Joel Wood (Cree) https://linktr.ee/joelalexwood

01/29/2025

Jessica McMann is a Cree classical flutist originally from Cowessess First Nation. She has released two albums, several singles. She recently won best classical recording from the YYC 2024 Music Awards for Prairie Dusk. You can catch her in May on her British Columbia Spring Tour with Connor Chee and Holly Bhattacharya. She is honored to be nominated for Best Instrumental Recording for Prairie Dusk For Nikâwiy. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074645027548

01/27/2025

Wait, she was in Stranger Things?

01/20/2025

President Joe Biden on Monday commuted the sentence of Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist convicted of killing two FBI agents nearly 50 years ago in South Dakota. Biden’s order as he leaves office is to take effect Feb. 18. A statement from Biden said Peltier, 80, should serve the remainder of his life sentence at home.

According to the FBI, in 1975, agents Ron Williams and Jack Coler were attempting to arrest a robbery suspect on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The agents pursued a vehicle, with Peltier among the people inside. A fatal shootout ensued, with the two agents and Joseph Stuntz, a member of the American Indian Movement, killed.

Peltier, a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa that is based in North Dakota, was convicted at a trial in Fargo. He has been serving two consecutive life terms in prison.

Peltier was denied parole last year. At the time, it was reported that he was in poor health. According to Biden’s statement, tribal Nations, Nobel Peace laureates, former law enforcement officials — including the former U.S. Attorney whose office oversaw Peltier’s prosecution and appeal — and human rights organizations support granting Peltier clemency. They cite Peltier’s advanced age, illnesses, his close ties to and leadership in the Native American community, and the substantial length of time he has already spent in prison.

NDN Collective, an Indigenous rights organization in Rapid City, issued a news release Monday celebrating Peltier’s commutation. The release included a quote attributed to Peltier: “It’s finally over – I’m going home. I want to show the world I’m a good person with a good heart. I want to help the people, just like my grandmother taught me.”

Nick Tilsen, founder and CEO of NDN Collective, credited “50 years of intergenerational resistance, organizing and advocacy” for winning the commutation. “Leonard Peltier’s liberation is our liberation – we will honor him by bringing him back to his homelands to live out the rest of his days surrounded by loved ones, healing, and reconnecting with his land and culture,” Tilsen said. Information provided by North Dakota Monitor

01/20/2025

FREE AT LAST!

The 80-year-old Turtle Mountain elder will go home to live out his remaining years

01/19/2025

The Spiritual Warriors are an internationally acclaimed music group that will take you on a cultural journey to the natural heartbeat of the Indigenous drum and the St'at'imc people. The Spiritual Warriors create music inspired by the land and life in the coastal mountains of the Lilwat Nation. With their unique blend of indigenous chants and contemporary roots, rock, reggae, The Spiritual Warriors are distinctly west coast. The band performs most of their songs in their language of U'cwalmicwts and are passionate about preserving and promoting their language and culture. The uplifting reggae rhythm only underlines the beautiful harmonizing of their vocals sung bilingually in English and U'cwalmicwts. The Spiritual Warriors are led by father and daughter, Leroy Joe ( vocals, guitar) and Daisy Joe (vocals) and are accompanied by Richard Doucet (drums), Mike Rowe (bass), Cuyler Biller (lead guitar) and Quentin De Lorenzis (keyboards). The band regularly collaborates with other First Nation artists. Their debut album, “Ancestors” won for Best World Music Recording by the Native American Music Awards.

01/19/2025

Sequoia Crosswhite is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and a descendant of Chief War Eagle and Chief Swift Cloud. He is an accomplished musician, grass dancer and historian. His handmade flutes and musical recordings uphold the traditions of his Lakota ancestors. Sequoia brings Lakota sounds to a blend of six-string hip-hop mixed with a surprising array of genres, and threads them together with his flutes. Much of his music is a fusion of hip-hop and rock with lyrics about his heritage and contemporary life. Sequoia's first album, “Wagnuka Olowan” (Woodpecker Song), is prominently featured in Raw Travel’s Season 3 – “Western Frontier”. The album highlights the Native American flute and its connection with nature accompanied by a mixture of contemporary and traditional sounds. Hailed for entertaining crowds abroad, Sequoia is dedicated to preserving the stories of the Lakota people. As a tour guide in Black Hills, South Dakota, he educates others about the 10,000-year-old native culture, ensuring its existence for generations to come.

01/18/2025

Chris G. Sutherland aka Shibastik is an accomplished rapper, music producer, public speaker, and proud member of Moose Cree First Nation. Born and raised on the Moose River, his music and art are deeply inspired by life as a Cree hunter on the James Bay (Mushkegowuk) Lowlands. He has always promoted awareness and appreciation for the land and First Nations culture. Shibastik has been producing and performing music independently since 1998 and has remained at the forefront of Canada's Indigenous hip hop movement. For over 20 years, Shibastik has been working with Indigenous youth and communities and has helped the youth to express themselves in healthy ways through writing lyrics, making music, and creating art. These interactive workshops/presentations have been designed by Shibastik to revive Indigenous culture, instill pride, inspire courage, raise awareness, and promote healing while focusing on many of the issues Indigenous youth are all too often confronted with. Shibastik has presented and performed at conferences, in schools and at many other events nationwide and internationally. His recent single "Nishnawb Hip Hop" reached #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown and was nominated in three categories at the Native American Music Awards. Shibastik’s music is as relevant and powerful today as ever and he was just nominated for "Best Rap Recording" and "Best Music Video Narrative”.

01/18/2025

Robin Cisek (Metis Nation of Alberta), is a 20 year old Metis, pop-alternative vocalist, songwriter, model and performer. One of CBC Searchlight's Top 100 artists in 2022 and 2023, Robin creates atmospheric, synth-driven pop with a dark, edgy twist. In 2021, Cisek released her debut album, “Delicate Minds”, a concept album about mental health. The song "Memories" from the album quickly garnered over 26,000 views on Youtube and received awards from a number of film festivals including an Award of Merit from INDIEfest Film Awards. Her most recent single, "Hey Disaster" charted on the Mediabase Activator Hot AC at #54 and CHR radio charts at #47 on US Radio. Robin's "Zeus" charted at #2 on the Indigenous Music Countdown making this her 6th time charting on the IMC. Presently, Robin is promoting her very successfully released originals that she recorded in New York with multi-Grammy award winning producers. @robin.cisek

01/17/2025

Pretendians Band (Standing Rock Sioux), features two members of the Oceti Ŝakowiŋ (7 Council Fires) of the Dakhota/Lakhota Nation, hailing from Standing Rock and Crow Creek/Sisseton tribes of South Dakota. Their original music reflects their heritage and spirit. Known for their unique sound that combines modern Indigenous perspectives with a driving, gritty rock aesthetic, Pretendians Band delivers an energetic style of conscious rock music. They’ve appeared on radio programs such as; Indigenous in Music, Native Voice One, KFAI, KBFT, KZUM, KVSC, SiriusXM Canada and many more. Despite their name, Pretendians Band are as authentic as they come and boldly craft their own unique sound and original songs. Their music simultaneously explores their cultural heritage and traditions along with the complexities of contemporary Indigenous society, with songs that address issues of identity, equality, and strength, and deliver a powerful message of resilience, pride, and hope. Pretendians Band, with its expanding group of followers and their strong reputation for their live shows, stands ready to leave an indelible mark on the realm of rock music and beyond.

01/17/2025

Paul Steward (Southeastern Pomo) is a renowned musician and accomplished professor currently living in the Santa Rosa area. In the rhythmic realms of Dance/Pop and the soul-stirring echoes of Blues, Paul Steward is a musical maestro. Paul is not just a guitarist; he’s a storyteller, seamlessly blending his traditional Pomo tribal influences with the sounds of B.B. King, Luther Allison, and a multitude of soulful artists. Paul and his father, Mr. Richard Steward originally performed as the famed father-son duo Twice As Good aka 2XG. Paul was the front person and a highly animated showman who sang in a robust soul-soaked tenor and sometimes picked with his Telecaster guitar behind his head. His dad played rhythm guitar and supplied harmony vocals. Together, they won the "Best Blues Recording" Award, from the Native American Music Awards with their album "If That's All Right With You". Paul’s father, Richard recently celebrated his 73rd birthday and announced his retirement. Richard asks his fans to continue supporting his son Paul, who will carry on their music legacy as Paul grows his solo career.

01/16/2025

Phyllis Sinclair (York Factory First Nation), is distinguished as a Lady of Conviction. Born on the western shore of Hudson's Bay in Churchill, Manitoba, Sinclair is a member of the York Factory First Nation (Kischiwaskahegan Negani Innewiseewin). She attributes her vocal style to her grandmother who calmed the children to sleep at night with her traditional high pitched, scooping hum. As a singer-songwriter, she charmingly disarms, soliciting a self-imposed metamorphosis to transform old ways of thinking into new possibilities. She aims to cultivate her work to be meaningful to herself and to those who listen. Given the Cree name, “Songkeeper Woman” by her territory elder, it’s a name that comes with a level of responsibility that she takes to heart. A singer-songwriter for over two decades, Sinclair has earned awards and accolades for her deep and affective construction of songs, carrying listeners to places she's been, and wants to go.

01/16/2025

Pete Sands grew up on the Navajo Indian Reservation. He created the Utah Navajo Health System’s COVID-19 Relief effort that delivered food, firewood and water to thousands throughout the Navajo Reservation in Utah, New Mexico. He was honored as one of Time Magazine’s Guardians of the Year and appeared on the cover along with other front-line health care workers including; Dr. Anthony Fauci. As a singer/songwriter, he has collaborated on a song with Joey Stylez called, entitled, "Save our Souls" which was nominated for a Native American Music Award. Sands was also cast in the television series "Yellowstone" and has not only had his music featured in the show, but also made several cameo appearances. Sands grew up listening to the old country songs from the likes of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and at the same time learning the songs of his ancient culture. Sands is also the director, writer and creator of the show “Navajo Highways”, a family-friendly puppet TV show teaching Navajo language and serving as an educational tool aimed at Navajo children from Pre-K to 3rd grade. Sands said his biggest inspiration for the show was seeing how the Navajo language is dying.

01/15/2025

Amanda Shamentsut Nahanee, aka Lady Sinncere (Squamish and Nisga’a Nation), has spent most of her life as a cultural ambassador. She performed as part of the 2010 Olympic opening ceremonies and more recently, was a note-taker for the MMIWG Inquiry discussions. This experience played a significant role in creating her song, “Can’t Kill Me” which is already on its way to becoming a cultural anthem. The music video for “Can’t Kill Me” is about Indigenous resistance, cultural resilience, and survival. The song is dedicated to Murdered and Missing Women and Girls in Canada and around the world. The song has been quickly picked up by local Hip-Hop radio shows and on CBC Radio. The track also features Christee Lee, Juno-nominated artist, DJ, and producer Hussein A-SLAM Alidina. A-SLAM produced the song, along with his production team, the Global Party Starters, accompanied by traditional percussion played by Chief Ian Campbell.

01/15/2025

Joey Stylez (Cree/Metis) is a well-known name in Indigenous communities as well as with the larger public. His song “Indian Girl Driving Me Crazy” picked up the best Pop Music Video award at the Native American Music Awards. His music was recently played on the popular TV shows “Reservation Dogs” and “Mayor of Kingstown”. Joey’s music has also been featured in the Hollywood motion picture, “Wind Rive”r that delves into the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women. He has appeared as himself on Kevin Costner and Taylor Sheridan’s “Yellowstone” television series and his song “Save Your Soul” was featured in the opening episode of the explosive hit series. Joey was recognized by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) as one of the top 25 Canadian rappers of all time. He has opened for artists such as; Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and Billy Ray Cyrus. Joey Stylez is committed to giving back to the fans, families and communities that have supported him along the way. He conducts workshops where he tells his story to youth to inspire and guide.His Ble$$ed Street Studios has a roster of Indigenous artists whom he mentors and develops as musicians.