19th Annual Native American Music Awards (NAMA) Nominations Announced

 

Published October 3, 2019

NEW YORK — Nominations in 33 categories for the 19th Annual Native American Music Awards (NAMA) have been announced. These nominations reflect the highest quality of recordings by music makers released in the past year throughout North America and were selected by the combined votes of the 150 Advisory Board member committee of the Native American Music Association.

The 19th Annual Native American Music Awards will be held on Saturday November 2, 2019 at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Resort in Niagara Falls, New York. Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets. Actor Wes Studi (Cherokee) and Pro-Wrestler Mickie James (Powhatan) will host the event.

Both Studi and James are also musicians with James singing Country music and Studi performing the Blues. As a member of the WWE and TNA,  Mickie James is a nine-time champion, which is a national record and is also the only female to hold the WWE Women’s, WWE Divas, and TNA Knockouts Championships in wrestling history.  Wesley Studi is an American actor and film producer who has won critical acclaim and awards, particularly for his portrayal of Native Americans in film. He has been a consistent favorite among the Awards audience as a special guest and host. This October, Wes will become the first Native American to receive an Oscar, as he will be honored with an Academy Honorary Award.

Featured live music performances will include: DJ Shub (Mohawk), a former member of a Tribe Called Red, Navajo revivalists Callie & Ellson Bennett, leading female singers Shelley Morningsong (Northern Cheyenne) First Nation’s Kelly Derrickson, New York’s Joanne and Leah Shenandoah (Oneida) as well as The Cody Blackbird Band, (Dakota, Cherokee, Navajo), NDN Cars’ Keith Secola (Anishinabe) and The Ed Koban House Band with more to be announced.

Both new and established artists share the list of total nominations throughout a diverse array of 33 varied music categories. This year’s new music trends arrived at full strength evidenced by several new artists dominating the nominations list, particularly from the Navajo Nation and Lakota Country. Hip Hop R&B Singer, Shon Denay (Oglala Lakota)  made an impressive debut with, “On The Rocks” earning her a full five nominations including; Debut Artist, Best Female Artist, Best Pop Music Recording.  Also at the top of the list are traditional based newcomers; Stl’atl’imx & Friends (St’at’imc), and The Spiritual Warriors (Interior Salish Lil’wat) wifh four nominations each as well as Clark Tenakhongva (Hopi) with three nods. Previous NAMA winners Vince Redhouse (Navajo) and brother and sister rock duo, Sihasin (Navajo) both took five nominations each with Sihasin earning an extra nod for their work  with American producer, Ed Stasium (Ramones, Talking Heads, Motorhead, the Smithereens, Living Colour).

Flutist Calvin J. Standing Bear (Sicangu, Oglala) who released three full-length recordings received a total of five nominations as did Connor Chee (Navajo) who acquired multiple nods between his video “Gila River”, new project Wildcat Peak and his prior work with The Cody Blackbird Band (Dakota/Cherokee). Quechua instrumentalist Alexandro Querevalu’ earned three nominations for his new New Age soundscape, “Clouds of Sunset”, as did folk-based artist and language teacher, Alex FireThunder (Oglala) for Makȟóčhe Kiŋ Theȟíla (Love For The Land).

Rap Hip Hop artists dominated more than before than ever with Night Shield (Rosebud Sioux) leading with three nominations, and Artson (Tarahumara), Blue Flamez (Warm Springs/Nez Perce), Def-i (Navajo), G Precious  (Ohkay Owingeh), David Lopezz (Comanche/Tarahumara), Nick Lone (Seneca), Crimespree (Rosebud), Bigg B (Warm Springs/Piaute), Just Jamez (Colville) and Carradine Billie (Seminole) all with at least one nod each.

A return of the classics are also featured among the nominations list with recordings from; Joanne Shenandoah (Oneida), Shelly Morningsong (Northern Cheyenne), the late Joseph FireCrow (Northern Cheyenne), Wade Fernandez (Menominee) and multiple Grammy winner, Country artist Marty Stuart (Choctaw). Other leading contenders include:  Crazy Flute (Cherokee), ambient rockers KatsuK (Chickasaw), female singers Koli Kohler (Hoopa), Marcia Chum (Cree), flutists Patrick Therrien (Anishinaabe), Larry Redhouse and the jazzy Larry Redhouse Quartet (Navajo).

Numerous music videos spawned the continuing tradition of adding new categories to honor performance and narrative videos as well as the original conceptual category plus a new Best Rap Hip Hop Music Video. Current event messages are also featured among the nominated music initiatives with a song about the sacred Mauna Kea in Hawaii by native Hawaiian singer/songwriter/protector Hawane Rios’ with “Directions” featuring Nahko (Apache) who also earned his own nomination for Best Male Artist.  The missing and murdered indigenous women crisis (MMIW) is covered in Joanne Shenandoah’s ‘Missing You’ music video as well as from the pow wow drum group, Young Spirit’s (Frog Lake Cree First Nation)  album entitled, “Red Dress Special”.

General Public voting is now open. To vote, visit the VOTE NOW page of the Awards website or by clicking on the ballot link:  VOTING BALLOT.  Final public voting results will determine the winner of each category. Music tracks from all nominees are also featured on the Awards’ website at www.NAMALIVE.com.Winners will be announced live at the 19th Annual Native American Music Awards which will be held on Saturday November 2nd, 2019 at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York.

The Native American Music Awards & Association is the world’s largest professional membership-based organization committed to honoring contemporary and traditional Native American and Indigenous music initiatives.

The Native American Music Awards & Association proudly extends its sincerest congratulations to this year’s NAMA Nominees.

19th Annual Official List of Nominees  

Artist of the Year 

Bear Fox (Mohawk) – Life Blanket

Murphy Platero (Navajo) – Butterflies, Horses and Guitars

Shelley Morningsong (Northern Cheyenne) – Simple Truth

Tonemah (Lumbee) – Red Dirt Remark

Vince Redhouse (Navajo) – A Distant Star

Wade Fernandez (Menominee) – Journey of the Heart

Group or Duo of the Year

Crazy Flute (Cherokee) – We Belong To The Music

Cree Confederation (Cree/Various) – Medicine Horse

Larry Redhouse Quartet (Navajo) – Naomi’s Dance

Sihasin (Navajo) – Fight Like A Woman

The Cody Blackbird Band and Connor Chee (Dakota, Cherokee, Navajo) – Live From White Horse Black Mountain

Young Spirit (Plains Cree/Various) – Red Dress Special/Love, Life, Round Dance

New Artist or Debut Artist of the Year 

Alex FireThunder (Lakota) – Makȟóčhe Kiŋ Theȟíla (Love For The Land) 

D Johnson (Navajo) – K Town 

David Lopez (Comanche/Tarahumara) – If I Won The Lottery 

Def-i (Navajo) –  Dream Trails

Matt James (Ojibway) – A Miner’s Prayer

Shon Denay (Oglala Lakota) – On The Rocks

New or Debut Duo/Group of the Year 

Innastate (Jicarilla Apache/Jemez Pueblo/Santa Domingo Pueblo/Isleta Pueblo) – Verde

Niijii Singers and Ogiichidaa Singers (Lac du Flambeau Ojibwa) – Hear Our Songs

Stl’atl’imx & Friends (St’at’imc)- The Kindness Project

The Spiritual Warriors (Interior Salish Lil’wat) – Ancestors

War Bonnet (Ojibwe) – The Ghost Dance

Wildcat Peak (Navajo) – Awake

Best Female Artist 

Blanca Iris Acuna (Taino) – Poets Ocean

Desja Eagle Tail (Crow/GrosVentre) – What Do I Got To Do

Jiiniikwe Medicine Bird (Bay Mills Anishinabe, Hunkpapa Lakota) -Destiny/Infinite Web

Koli Kohler (Hoopa, Yurok, Karuk) – How I Am

Marcia Chum (Cree) – Undone

Shon Denay (Oglala Lakota) – On The Rocks

Flutist of the Year  

Calvin J. Standing Bear (Sicungu, Oglala) – Eagle Dances With The Wind

Dail Dragonfly Martin (Huron, Wyandott, MicMac) – Enter The Circle/ In The Spirit of Peace

Holly Harris of Painted Raven (Cherokee/Sioux) – Sacred Spiral

Jack Flute Holland of Crazy Flute (Cherokee)  – We Belong To The Music

Vince Redhouse (Navajo) – A Distant Star

Wade Fernandez (Menominee)- Journey of the Heart

Best Male Artist 

Herman Cody (Navajo) – Life On The Rez

Joe Tohonnie, Jr (Apache) – Journey Into A New Direction

Louie Gonnie (Navajo/Zuni) – Night Side

Lowery Begay (Navajo) – Touching The Sky

Murray Porter (Mohawk) – Stand Up!

Nahko (Apache) – Dragonfly 

 

Record of the Year

A Distant Star – Vince Redhouse (Navajo)

Brother Hawk – Calvin J. Standing Bear & James Torres Red Tail Chasing Hawks (Sicungu, Oglala) 

Colors of the Rainbow – Alexandro Querevalu’ (Quechua) 

One Earth World Fusion Music – Various Artists

Ongtupqa – Clark Tenakhongva, Gary Stroutso, Matthew Nelson (Hopi)

Parallel Universe – Joseph FireCrow ( Northern Cheyenne), Thomasina Levy, David Darling

Red Dress Special – Young Spirit (Plains Cree/Various)

Song  of the Year –  Full length recording

Ancestors Song – Stl’atl’imx & Friends (St’at’imc)- The Kindness Project

Clouds of Sunset — Alexandro Querevalu’ (Quechua) from Colors of the Rainbow

Looking For The Light – Irv Lyons Jr (Oneida)

Shine – Sihasin (Navajo)

SaVivor – Night Shield (Rosebud)  featuring Wellington Downz & Cody Blackbird 

This is Our Song- The Spiritual Warriors (Interior Salish Lil’wat) – Ancestors

Walk In Beauty – Joseph FireCrow ( Northern Cheyenne), Thomasina Levy, David Darling from Parallel Universe

Best Indie Single of the Year – Single Release Only

Directions – Hawane Rios featuring Nahko (Kanaka Madi/Apache)

Human – Twin Flames (Inuit/Mohawk, Cree/Metis)

I Don’t Give A – Mickie James (Powhatan)

Liberty – Eagle &  Hawk (Ojibway)

My Supplication – Ellson Bennett ft Callie Bennett (Navajo)

We Are Love – Kelly Derrickson (First Nation Stylix)

We Will Rise Up – Joanne Shenandoah (Oneida)

When We Were Young – Jamie Coon (Creek/Seminole)

Best Independent Recording By A New Artist – Single Release Only

Beautiful Day-  Raenisa Ridley (Ute Hopi)  

Break These Chains – Just Jamez (Colville)

Dimmer – Corey Rae White (Ho Chunk)

Energies – Gunner Jules (Lakota)

Heaven’s Window – Ava Rose Johnson (Osage/Cherokee) 

One of A Kind – Spur Pourier (Oglala)  

Pagan – Glass Eden (Mescalero Apache, Quahada Comanche)

Undone – Marcia Chum (Cree Constance Lake)

Wild Rose – Whisperhawk (Shoshone)

GENRE CATEGORIES  

Best Blues Recording

Live At Subcat Studios – The Ripcords (Onondaga Nation) 

Lucky #13 – Marc Brown (Huslia)

No Color In The Blues – Jared Stewart (Crow)

Simple Truth – Shelley Morningsong (Northern Cheyenne)

Stand Up! – Murray Porter (Mohawk)  

Best Country Recording 

A Miner’s Prayer – Matt James (Ojibway)

How I Am – Koli Kohler (Hoopa, Yuroh, Karuh)

K Town – D Johnson (Navajo) 

What Do I Got To Do – Desja Eagle Tail (Crow/N.Cheyenne/Seneca/Cree)

Red Dirt Remark – Tonemah (Lumbee) 

Way Out West – Marty Stuart (Choctaw)

Best Folk Recording

Are We Free? – Burton Guibord (Bad River Ojibwe)

Life Blanket – Bear Fox (Mohawk) 

Makhohe Kiy Tuehila – Alex FireThunder (Oglala Lakota) 

Nature Walk – Joan Hammel, Tim Brooks (Colville)

The Kindness Project – Stl’atl’imx & Friends (St’at’imc)

Two Trees Standing – Atlatl (Cherokee) 

Best Gospel/Inspirational/Native American Church  Recording

Azee Diyin – Anthony Benally (Navajo) 

Butterflies, Horses and Guitars – Murphy Platero (Navajo) 

Continuation Songs – Martinez Lee Sr (Navajo)

Night Side – Louie Gonnie (Navajo/Zuni)

No Greater Love – Robby Cummings (Lumbee/Cherokee) 

Remedy – Quinton Gonnie (Navajo)

Best Historical/Linguistic/Spoken Word Recording  

Ancestors – The Spiritual Warriors (Interior Salish Lil’wat) 

Makȟóčhe Kiŋ Theȟíla (Love For The Land) – Alex FireThunder (Oglala Lakota)

Songz – Thoz Womenz (Intertribal)

The Kindness Project – Stl’atl’imx Friends (Stl’atl’imx)

Wakan Olowan: Lakota Pipe Pipe Ceremonial & Spiritual Songs- Calvin J. Standing Bear (Sicungu, Oglala)  

Wisdomkeepers Radio – Harvey Arden & Wisdomkeepers Radio band (Cherokee)

Best Instrumental Recording 

A Distant Star – Vince Redhouse (Navajo)

Journey of the Heart – Wade Fernandez (Menominee) 

Naomi’s Dance – Larry Redhouse Quartet (Navajo) 

Native American Flute Music – Randy Granger (Mayan/Apache)

The Great Mystery – Larry Redhouse (Navajo)

Watopeka…la premiere ascension – Patrick Therrien (Alliance de Sherbrooke 081Kitne, Anishinaabe, Metis)

We Belong To The Music – Crazy Flute (Cherokee) 

Best New Age/Ambient/Soundscape Recording

Colors of the Rainbow – Alexandro Querevalú  (Quechua) 

Eagle Dances With The Wind – Calvin J. Standing Bear & James Torres Red Tail Chasing Hawks (Sicungu, Oglala) 

In the Spirit of Peace – Dail Dragonfly Martin (Huron, Wyandott, MicMac) 

One Earth World Fusion – Various Artists

Parallel Universe – Joseph FireCrow ( Northern Cheyenne), Thomasina Levy, David Darling

Sacred Spiral – Painted Raven (Cherokee/Sioux) 

Woodland Moons -Marcia Watson Bendo (Citizen Potawatomi)

Best Pop Recording

Asalia Keeper of the Stars – Asalia (Lac Vieux Desert Ojibwa) 

Awake – Wildcat Peak (Navajo)

Live From White Horse Black Mountain – The Cody Blackbird Band and Connor Chee (Dakota, Cherokee, Navajo) 

On The Rocks – Shon Denay (Oglala Lakota) 

Poets Ocean – Blanca Iris Acuna (Taino) 

Women At War: Warrior Songs – Various Artists

Best Pow Wow/ Drum Recording 

Love, Life, Round Dance – Young Spirit (Cree/Various)

Medicine Horse – Cree Confederation (Cree/Various)

Nitisanak: Brothers and Sister – Northern Cree (Cree/Various) 

Red Dress Special – Young Spirit (Plains Cree/Various) 

Songs – Thoz Womenz (Intertribal)

When It’s Cold – Northern Cree (Cree/Various) 

Best Producer/Engineer

Chris Colvin, Seth Donaldson, Ben Gordon – Wisdomkeepers Radio

Ed Stasium – Fight Like A Woman – Sihasin 

Kelly Parker – One Earth World Fusion Music – Various Artists

Patrick Therrien & Yves Casteau – Watopeka

Robert Doyle  – Second Night: El Capitan –  Todi Neesh Zhee (Navajo/Dine)

Stephen Butler – Nitisnak: Brothers and Sister – Northern Cree

 

Best Rap/Hip Hop/R&B Recording

Dream Trails – Def-i (Navajo) 

Eclectic -G Precious (Ohkay Owingeh) 

If I Won The Lottery – David Lopezz (Comanche/Tarahumara)

Native Pride – Nick Lone (Seneca) 

On My Way – Crimespree (Rosebud)

SaVivor – Night Shield (Rosebud) 

Best Rock Recording

Chris Ferree – Chris Ferree & Medicine Crow (Eastern Band of Cherokee) 

Fight Like A Woman – Sihasin (Navajo)

Infinite Web – Jiiniikwe Medicine Bird (Bay Mills Anishinabe, Hunkpapa Lakota) 

Labyrinth – Katsuk (Chickasaw)

Sisters & Brothers – Irv Lyons Jr (Oneida Wolf Clan)

The Ghost Dance – War Bonnet (Ojibwe) 

Best Traditional Recording

Journey Into A New Direction – Joe Tohonnie, Jr (Apache) 

Life On The Rez – Herman Cody (Navajo) 

Ongtupqa – Clark Tenakhongva, Gary Stroutsos, Matthew Nelson (Hopi)

Second Night: El Capitan – Todi Neesh Zhee (Navajo/Dine) 

Tradition – Spirit of Thunderheart (Schaghticoke, Metis) 

Wakan Olowan Pipe Ceremonial Songs – Calvin J. Standing Bear (Sicungu, Oglala) 

Best Waila/Chicken Scratch/ Recording

307th Ave & C Street – Famous Ones (Tohono O’odham) 

Fami:lia – Stevie Ray Vavages (Tohono O’odham) 

Music and Prayers …then Now and until we meet Again – Lopez Band (Tohono O’odham)

Music In The Soul – Native Thunder (Tohono O’odham/Salt River Pima)

The Gift – Mariah’s Beats (Tohono O’odham)

The Waila Circle – Native Creed (Tohono O’odham)

Waila – Carl and Buddies (Tohono O’odham)

Best World Recording

Ancestors – The Spiritual Warriors (Interior Salish Lil’wat) 

Get To You -Native Nations (Navajo/Australia)

Labyrinth – Ecstasy – KatsuK (Chickasaw) 

One Earth World Fusion Music – Various Artists

Verde – Innastate (Jicarilla Apache/Jemez Pueblo/Santa Domingo Pueblo/Isleta Pueblo) 

Watopeka…la premiere ascension -Patrick Therrien (Alliance autochtone de Sherbrooke 081Kitne, Anishinaabe, Metis)

Best Music Video Recording

Deep End – Bigg B ft N8 (Warm Springs/Paiute/Wasco)

Directions – Hawane Rios ft Nahko (Kanaka Madi/Apache)

Controlled – Raven Diamond (Aztec, Inca/Mayan)

Deforestation – Tony Enos (Cherokee)

Beautifully – Michelle Thomas (Navajo)

Comeback – Shon Denay (Oglala Lakota) 

Best Concept for a Music Video 

Ecstasy – KatsuK (Chickasaw) from Labyrinth

Human – Twin Flames (Inuit/Mohawk, Cree/Metis)

I Don’t Give A – Mickie James (Powhatan)

My Heart Dreams – Black Belt Eagle Scout (Swinomish)

Next To You – from A Miner’s Prayer – Matt James (Ojibway)

Undone – Marcia Chum (Cree Constance Lake)

Best Music Video Narrative

Heaven’s Window – Ava Rose Johnson (Osage/Cherokee) 

How I Am – Koli Kohler (Hoopa, Yuroh, Karuh)

Missing You – Joanne Shenandoah (Oneida)

Strong Together – Sihasin (Navajo)  

Reach Who You Are – Callie Bennett (Navajo)

So What – Love Collide (Chippewas First Nation)

We Are Love – Kelly Derrickson 

Best Rap Hip Hop Music Video 

Break These Chains – Just Jamez (Colville)

Reckless – Night Shield (Rosebud) featuring Trey Lane, CrimeSpree & Gorilla Pimp 

Reachin’, Seekin’ and Dreamin’ – Artson (Tarahumara)  featuring Sariyah Idan

Remember Me – Carradine Billie (Seminole)

Stand Up – Blue Flamez (Warm Springs/Nez Perce)

Best Music Video For A Live Performance

A Girl In Trouble – Deborah Iyall (Cowlitz)

Children On The Rez – Blue Mountain Tribe (Chiricahua Apache)

Live At Rockwood Hall – Raye Zaragoza (O’odham)

Live At Sub Cat Studios – The Ripcords (Onondaga) 

The Gila Monster – Connor Chee (Navajo)

Yoyqatsi (Rain of Life) -Clark Tenakhongva, Gary Stroutsos, Matthew Nelson (Hopi)

Native Heart Award (Non Native) 

Johnny Kee – Echoes From the Trail

Jonny Lipford- Moonsongs

Ken McGarity – Breath of Life

Mikuskovics Baum – Timeless

Peter Phippen – Seven

Wolfsheart – Acoustic Ride

Best Radio Program

Gregg McVIccar – Undercurrents

Harvey Arden & Wisdomkeepers Radio band

KOHN 91.9 FM – Tohono O’odham Nation

Native Circle Show/ David Rose – One World Music Radio

Deer Tracks on 94.7 FM, KGLP Gallup, NM with your host’s Shelley Morningsong & Strider Brown 

The Deep End with The Chaz on KBFT Bois Forte Tribal Radio