#nativemusicians

Saddle Lake Drifting Cowboys

Song: "Modern Rock"This four-member band used its community name.The group played throughout the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta, performing mostly to native audiences, including at weddings and festivals

·       Brule

Paul LaRoche, founder and producer of BRULÉ – the award-winning Native American music group, thrilling audiences with a mergence of cultural rock and theatrical instrumentations. Now in their 19th season, their national performances carry the same contagious excitement as Trans -Siberian Orchestra, Celtic Thunder, and Riverdance—but with the emotional impact of the American Indian culture. “It was just as good as the New York-based productions we see and, at times, twice as moving” Bruce R. Miller, Journal staff writer. “The performance was powerful and engaging. “We had a sold out house, and the  patrons have been clamoring for a return visit” David Marty, President, Reif Arts Council and performance attendee, Allen Kirkham “spectacular music and dance experience with an explosion of color and light!”. The group is one of the top-selling Native American adult/rock music groups and has chalked up impressive CD sales (over 1 million worldwide). Their concert ticket sales stand at well over 100,000 since national touring began in 2002. Brulé has released 17 titles in as many years (see discography) and has been named “Group of the Year” three times by the prestigious Native American Music Awards (NAMMYs), earning seven NAMMYs since 2002. Their annual performance schedule takes them extensively throughout the US, touring the casino, performing arts theatres, arenas, corporate and festival circuits.

·       Lawrence Martin

Lawrence Martin was born in Moose Factory, Ont. Although an entertainer, he’s also a politician, and was elected as the first Aboriginal mayor in a municipality outside a First Nations reserve. Martin has incorporated music within his political career to gain supporters and listeners. He currently writes and records music and is planning a series of Nashville recording sessions.

·       The Jerry Cans

I AM INDIGENOUS by Chad Charlie

(Ahousaht First Nations)

I am indigenous.

I am the first people you see when you discover a new land.

I am the squatter who lived here before any of these new plans.

I am the savage who fought for the sake of my family.

I am the beast that you patriotically killed randomly.

  I am the disease infested Injin that accepted your sickness filled blankets.

I am the unreligious devil who worshipped my god but represented satan.

I am the drunk laying on the corner, but yet I don’t drink.

I am the university studying lawyer, but yet I don’t think.

I am the worthless orphan left in foster care away from my culture.

Many of my people wanted to adopt me but I was fed to the vultures.

I am the residential school survivor that was stripped of my bogus traditions.

I am the chief of my people but yet, I belong in prison.

I am the mascot of your sports teams, and the names of your cities.

I am the non-existing parasite that you apologize to out of pity.

I am the one who taught you to harvest and to use nature’s medicine.

But I am also the one who has yet to come up with an invention.

My intentions were to kill you, rape your wives and enslave your children.

Only to assimilate you so you can become regular civilians.

I speak in my language that you recognize as dumb.

I am the crazy person because I don’t speak in tongue.

I am your spirit guide, I am open for prayer. But I am also available when you want to speak to a bear.

I am the old Indian ghost on whose grave you live.

I am the cartoon character that you portray to little kids.

I am your Apache helicopter and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

And apparently I’m a float in your parade when you feel like staring at me.

I am an Indian giver, I take things back when I like.