Northern Cree powwow and round dance group nominated for Grammy Award

Image credit: Northern Cree Facebook Page. 

An Indigenous musical group with ties to local First Nations has been nominated for their 9th Grammy award.

Northern Cree, which started with Steve, Charlie and Earl Wood from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, are hoping they can win their first Grammy on Sunday in the best regional roots album category.

Their album When It’s Cold – Cree Round Dance Songs is up against artists Amy Hānaiali’i, Ranky Tanky, Rebirth Brass Band and Imua Garza & Kimié Miner, producers.

Since the early 1980s, Northern Cree has released close to 40 albums.

The 17-member band has members from other First Nations in the area, including Frog Lake and Onion Lake.

They performed at the Grammys in 2017.

Rapper M.I.A and comedic actor Sasha Baron Cohen have sampled Northern Cree songs.

Northern Cree’s first Grammy nomination came in 2002 for their album Rockin’ the Rez.

The group is currently based in Maskwacis, Alberta.