Northern Cree: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

For the second consecutive year, NPR teamed up with globalFEST in January 2021 for a thrilling online music festival we call Tiny Desk Meets globalFEST: three nights, nine bands, and a world of musical traditions hosted by African pop star Angélique Kidjo. Now, we're posting all the sets from our festival as individual Tiny Desk (home) concerts.
Bob Boilen | January 28, 2022
Northern Cree is a powwow and round dance act, based in Maskwacis, Alberta, Canada. Formed in 1982 by the Wood brothers - Steve, Randy, Charlie and Earl Wood of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation - most members originate from the Treaty 6 and are members of the Cree Nation. This year marks Northern Cree's 40th birthday as a group.
Northern Cree has recorded 50 albums and been nominated for a GRAMMY nine times. They made history in 2017 when they became the first powwow group to perform at the Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. They recorded this performance at the powwow arbor of the Tsuut'ina Nation. --The globalFEST staff
SET LIST
"The Dream"
"Kohkominaw"
"Storytelling Warrior"
MUSICIANS
Steve Wood: vocals, speaker
Penny McGilvery: vocals
Jonas Tootoosis: vocals
Marvin "Mickso" Deschamps: vocals
Jordon Fiddler: vocals
Emerson Samson: vocals
Jayzer Littlewolfe: vocals
Leroy Whitstone: vocals, flute
Leah Omeasoo: dancer
Rusty Gillette: dancer
CREDITS
Production: Alan Greyeyes, Steve Wood
Audio: Eric Cinnamon
Video: Corey Gomez
Special thanks: The Canada Council for the Arts, The Tsuut'ina Nation, Hal Eagletail
Tiny Desk Meets globalFEST
Tiny Desk Team
Producer: Bob Boilen
Video Producer: Maia Stern
Audio Mixing: Josh Rogosin
Tiny Production Team: Bobby Carter, Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Sofie Hernandez-Simeonidis
Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
globalFEST Artistic Team
Co-Directors: Shanta Thake, Isabel Soffer, Bill Bragin
2022 Curators: Shanta Thake, Isabel Soffer, Bill Bragin, Gabrielle Davenport
globalFEST Production Team
Event Producer: Ian Thake
Producer: THE OFFICE performing arts + film*
Video Producer: Karim Tabbaa
Special Thanks
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, JanArtsNYC, Valerie French (social media), Yuri Kwon of Pitch Perfect PR (publicity), Tamizdat (legal services) and Duane Morris (legal services)
*THE OFFICE performing arts + film consists of Rachel Chanoff, Laurie Cearley, Olli Chanoff, Erica Zielinski, Nadine Goellner, Lynn Koek, Noah Bashevkin, Catherine DeGennaro, Gabrielle Davenport, Chloe Golding, Kyla Gardner, Tess Peppis, Zion Jackson, Scout Eisenberg and Jose Alvarado

[@MsErod1]

I have been watching tiny desk for years and you don’t know how proud I am of this. You don’t know what this means to us, spotlighting Native American songs and dance and using your platform🥺 I am not Cree but Diné and I want to say Ahéhee' (thank you) for this🙏🏽♥️

[@audiophilesallowed6479]

Aaaaaaaaaaaamen!

[@sfbassist]

If social media has ever been worth it, it was because of opportunities such as this. To go inside a moment so rare and beautiful like a fly on the wall. I am so grateful 🙏🏾

[@Yesenia.masmenos]

Es por eso que amo estas sesiones, hay espacio para todos

[@bootsfarrow]

Agreed

[@lilndn1237]

Thought the same

[@joeralston8252]

Loved this. Need more Native American culture in the mainstream.

[@Se9n.]

i think people agree that's why Taylor Sheridan's stuff is getting popular

[@idellekell]

We don't call indigenous ppl here in Canada "native american". Actually, calling any Canadian "American" anything is not cool lol.

[@jennross6466]

@@idellekell The Cree (Cree: Néhinaw, Néhiyaw, etc.; French: Cri) are a North American Indigenous people. They live primarily in Canada, where they form one of that country's largest First Nations.

[@idellekell]

@@jennross6466 Yes, I know that. I live in Northern Cree territory. I'm just saying that I've never heard any Canadian call a Cree person "Native American". Ever.

[@idellekell]

@@jennross6466 Mexicans are also part of North America, but no one calls them "American" either. It is a word specifically reserved for ppl in the USA. Calling Canadians "american" is usually perceived as an insult

[@LeifCoffield]

I’m Scottish, but there’s something about this that resonates into my bones, you can literally feel the history with every chant and beat of the drum

[@ericasmith1751]

Yes!

[@MamaGator]

Here in the states if you’re a Caucasian person with any native blood in your lineage you’d be hard pressed to find one without Irish or Scottish as well. All were considered outsider pagans and they quite often blended families back in the day and created communities. It’s quite interesting. I’m trying to learn Gaelic because I’m only second generation American and I read recently there’s no way to write “I own this land” the closest you can come to it is “the land is with me” ideas like that kept these different cultures very close for a long time.

[@LeifCoffield]

@@MamaGator it's awesome the states are so diverse in their heritage, and how much its celebrated too! i cant speak any gaelic lol but i wish you all the best in your education

[@djb5320]

I don't think you understand what the word literally means

[@dylanstubbe8]

Earl Wood was my Elder at a boys ranch/group home. He is the wisest and most caring man I've ever met. He showed me and so many other boys the ways of our culture and he let us take part in sweats and drumming. I could truly never repay that man for how much he did for me. Thank you Earl

[@thisriveriswild87]

I've been listening to northern Cree since I was little. Powwow headliners right here! Congrats neechis, we really are our ancestors wildest dreams... thank you tinydesk.

[@huggybearjohnson4197]

Same here since I first heard Live in BC I only need 4 current cds of them then I'll have all there cds.

[@thorrasmussen2022]

What's amazing about this, is that less than 10 singers make it sound like there's 100's of them.

[@AFineLineA]

Totally agreed!!!

[@acedia4453]

Main stream music rarely allows the Indigenous Americans a platform like this. Hope to see more from various nations of these first peoples.

[@AFineLineA]

Totally agreed!!!

[@mustus71]

Northern Cree is so good they still sound amazing with some of their best singers not even there.

[@erasmusherzen]

Grew up in the Canadian prairies, Nehiyaw music forever and ever

[@maxwellmichaelangelo]

This is my first time hearing this and now I wanna get up and go be great.

[@YvanHarvey]

Having the honour to work with first Nation from around Canada in the Navy, From S"quimalt, to Matawan, Winnipeg, , I am so glad to finally hear their music on CBC and Tiny Desk, I feel more Canadian more than ever. My white decedent hid this from me or tried, But no more, Kanata, Kebec, Chicoutimi, S'quimalt, Kwut Sun, Kjipuktuk, you are my home.

[@elduran6670]

Soy Mexicano de Guanajuato raised in the SF Bahía. I Applaud and celebrate these people. Beautiful AF!

[@rd4660]

Bearpaw Battlefield, Montana. October 5th last year on the anniversary of the 1877 massacre of Nez Perce Indians during their largely unsuccessful flight to Canada. The Nez Perce were holding a memorial on site and young men were out in the battlefield singing their songs. Like this Tiny Desk concert, it was very haunting and emotional to be witness to such a thing.

[@chrishinton772]

And the Nez Perce gave the army a whipping all while letting the women and children get to safety but where overwhelmed by numbers only to surrender not far from the Canadian border chased from their land like the rest of the tribes in the name of progress and the white man's greed, a brave and noble people

[@SGTPFUNK66]

Thank You 🙏🏿 I’m Honored and Humbled by the Performance from the Earth’s FIRST INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF THIS NATION! Mahalo/Thank You from this HAWAIIN in Southern California. Thank You Tiny Desk! Boom Shaka- Laka!

[@wuffpaw]

Deep power here. May the First Nations of all of the Americas continue to live on, may their culture and language and spirit thrive on, despite the genocides commited against them.

[@vikvc]

I came to Canada as an international student without much knowledge of Canadian history. After a few day wondering around I realized that there was a lot of things that arent shown to foreigners about the real locals of these lands. I can still remember how powerful a play like this one was when it was performed at my college during Rememberance Day. Thanks NPR TDC for uploading this video. Really really enjoyed it.

[@cassvillz6034]

This performance brought tears of joy to my eyes

[@tpot91]

🤣

[@trmarple]

The Northern Cree bring it every time they perform! DEEPLY moving!!! Beautiful! Thank you for featuring these amazing performers🙏🏼

[@zupfheini]

This is more than music. I'm sitting here in good ol' Germany, knowing very little about the Cree. When I listened for the first time I had the strange feeling of something great flowing over to me. I don't know the right words for what is happening there, but it's happening. Thank You so much for sharing this!!

[@SKULLKR3W]

its prayer and also medicine

[@neonfish445]

Because it is the sound of Mother Earth; The beat which is inside all of us.

[@iraazela]

"They have had good visions again, don't be shy". Love, peace and prosperity to all from the light❤️

[@SocialistFish]

I'm here in tears at the end because it reminds me of home and a family I can't see right now because of covid travel restrictions. Thanks, NPR - I didn't know how badly I needed this. Signed: Missplaced Urban Indian Kid.

[@magicjoeblack5761]

Amazing. There aren't enough superlatives on Mother Earth to do this justice. Just a respectful thankful WOW!

[@lavozdejeremiah]

Beautiful. Shout out to our Nations first People. Reppin the Black Feet Nation here!🙌🏽

[@carolynanderson4462]

Thank you Tiny Desk for airing this beautiful and spirit-filled Native American music from Northern Cree!! My heart is beating with the drums and it makes me so happy and proud of my Native American Heritage everytime I hear our music! Please have more segments like this and definitely invite other Native drums to sing. Also please ask Northern Cree back!! Love them!!!

[@nukloza]

There is a repeat button somewhere! Thank you Northern Cree for staying and looking for our next generations.

[@alfonsoalvarez7853]

Thee best Tiny Desk Concert ever. Grateful that the traditions of singing and dancing can still be heard and move forward for future generations. Thank You!

[@geelee1977]

I love this band. Where I live, there is a public radio station, that plays Native American music every Sunday night at 6pm. I wish I knew their languages.

[@africabalderson8636]

Not a big deal, I know it’s not intentional on your part, but generally speaking, calling a First Nations Canadian a ‘native American’ is not considered complimentary.

[@geelee1977]

@@africabalderson8636 Not a big deal, I know it’s not intentional on your part, but all you did was create a strawman fallacy. *I did not call a first nations Canadian, a 'native american'. I called the artists that create the music I hear on the radio show advertised as "Native American Heritage Hour", 'native americans'.* Also, Canada IS in the Americas.

[@silverjesus2815]

This music unlocks primal feelings that have been hidden deep within.

[@annab4375]

.. one word - P-O-W-E-R-F-U-L : having great strength or power. THANK YOU! .. to all involved 😊 ❤ 🇨🇦

[@jlkailua]

This is THE BEST thank you npr for giving light to Sioux Northern Cree

[@abaneyone]

I love the cultural music emphasis that Tiny Desk brings!

[@anishinaabekwe]

OMG NO WAY!!!! My favourite group! Cree representation, baby

[@lesabri]

Powerful! This fills a hole in my heart I didn't know was there

[@oneidawolf776]

This is why I love you NPR.

[@pierpaoloscofano3110]

What a performance! So powerful and moving. Thank you❤ Greetings from Calabria, Italy!

[@jennross6466]

More music please. 💝That concert was too short.

[@charlesb8267]

KZbin Gathering of Nations to hear more groups and plenty more dancers

[@dmay8290]

One word...magnificent. It is a treasure to remember who you are and where you come from and most of all respect all our uniqueness in the world. This almost brought me to tears and I truly appreciated every minute.

[@lyletheisland]

Long time tiny desk fan, and Cheraw nation native, so thankful to see this!

[@urbanpimapie912]

Wow nice to see them on Tiny Desk, so proud of you Northern Cree, I feel honored to have witnessed yall during pow wow, now this????!!!! All honor to Creator! Phx, AZ Akimel O'odham, GRIC

[@KenneyCmusic]

Amazing. I am Cree. My family is from Edmonton. I've been a big tiny desk fan for years. Love seeing Indigenous content on here.

[@The-Aion]

Nothing in my culture compares to the raw, emotional, high energy of these songs. I am sad we eradicated such ecstatic experience from much of my country. What can I do? Listen and feel, and realize all that was lost. There is hope one day these people will have justice, and though I am white, I will always do whatever I can to understand the suffering, and not to be a part of the problem. Thank you for sharing this powerful music.

[@dee5tank]

I loved this on the livestream, and will listen to this on repeat. Happy to see Northern Cree here.

[@nanmckenzie4646]

Love from Saskatchewan ❤️🥰 proud to be native

[@jaelfaulcon]

Kudos to NPR team for making this performance available to the public. We don't identify with a recognized tribe -- too complicated. The song and music is moving. You know when you can feel it in your heart and that spot behind your ear where it resonates and vibrates. The Creator knows all tongues and reads the heart. I look forward to the Last Day when I will meet my ancestors who will rise in Paradise and sing again to his praise.

[@mbgangstanative]

Cool, hearing Northern Cree outside of a Powwow setting. Nice of KZbin to stick two ads smack in the middle of the performance. As always KZbin you and your executive leadership are real class acts.

[@esmeraldatorres5900]

I wish I knew what they were saying. All I know is they made my tears come out. We are Mexican and my son loves this music.

[@garyhiggins8964]

i believe that we are all connected

[@martenjohannesvangarderen3022]

Thank you for spreading your knowledge and positive energy into this world on mother earth. Many blessings.

[@MestizozPopz]

Thank you for your stories, and prayers. Beautifully done.

[@Bigmatt-up7gi]

This is crazy finally!!!! Years I been watching tiny desk , I'm kids are cree I'm mi'kmaw but I never thought this , my neechies stand up!!

[@juanpabloacevedo.7716]

Muy bueno!! Saludos desde Argentina!!

[@dawnclaibourne2183]

I love Northern Cree. Thank you Tiny Desk and globalFest for featuring them!

[@colbycalabrese8417]

I've been listening to Northern Cree for about five years now. I was so happy to see them on NPR!

[@michaelfitzgerald8835]

Thank you for this one, very special 🙏❤️

[@sedumbean]

Fills your soul with chills.... So epic!

[@arnoldpaul3792]

Aaaaahhhhh. ....my tribe....of all kinds of nations You have woken me From my hibernation.... Kiy'koy oma. ,ahkah'paytah'man...... I'll dance a little bit 😄

[@brandoboyer731]

Can’t you feel the power?

[@womanbei]

Please share more indigineous creators. Love these folks. ❤️

[@AFineLineA]

Totally agreed!!!

[@tonyrae86]

Loved getting to see the jingle dress and fancy dancers accompany the music! Hai Hai!

[@mariaangelelli]

Muy hermoso. Gracias por agregar la traducción.

[@GlobTheDabGlob]

This is awesome. Cultural representation, knowledge, and talent all in one. Tiny desk, you should all be proud of how many years of entertainment you’ve managed to share with so many. How many eyes you’ve opened with varying musical artists and types. What a great channel lol.

[@arlo247]

The best one there ever was..... more of this Tiny Desk. More of this.

[@user-pc1ye2xi9y]

OMG!!!! im crying! what an iconic moment for us all !! this is so beautiful!!

[@RobynonYouTube]

More of this please!!!!

[@mikeshoults4155]

My step father(knew him since I was 3) was born in Northern Manitoba. He was Metis. When I was young he took me to powwows. I'll never forget the singers and dancers. To this day, everytime I hear the singers, I think of my dad. My dad passed away Jan 1 2020. I miss him a lot.

[@luisgonzalezortiz428]

es muy emotivo, sinceramente!.. we're so far way (south of Chile), but I feel really conected with our own people (pueblo Nacion Mapuche).. Thanks for sharing your culture and beauty!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@MrReillac]

I just enjoyed being taken on a journey.. very inspiring and beautiful 😍 ❤

[@lilianapego]

I fell in love with this performance.

[@draguel70]

The man is so happy. I love it

[@nimafinance]

Love it. Resonates into my mongolian soul.

[@totalh8]

I liked this a lot. I'm sad tiny desk didn't show the lady singer more.

[@Sc0tther]

the best Tiny Desk yet

[@dawnsheehan1381]

❤❤🎼🎼Brilliant, Love Northern Cree🎼🎼❤❤

[@ArcadiaJade]

Very beautiful. I love native culture .

[@HOPIcoyote]

Some of the best to ever do it, this is great NPR and Tiny Desk!

[@bhornannawindeedeigh5007]

Native Picurís of Northern New Mexico - so proud of you. Your voices and drum beats fill my heart. Thank you. ❤ 🌐

[@marenlouiseherigstadmong8832]

Impressive! The controll they have over their voices is incredible.

[@tashunkawitko5984]

You can sing so beautiful like you are singing from the other side ...

[@jaxxenriquez9542]

The comment section is so beautiful. First time learning about them, but it feels so healing listening ❤️ will definitely add to my playlist. Thank you NPR

[@OscarPPerez]

Amazing performance! Aho! ❤🙏

[@rosapaoa9811]

🌺🌺🌺🌺 Thank you tiny desk fof this i feel this deep in my soul i always listen to tiny desk you are my fav and im native polynesian i hope you can contac us too for our music

[@marcustait9017]

He'll ya, I'm in the oji-cree tribe, happy to see this!!!

[@xinatchlix9808]

Drums always make me cry happy tears

[@linguinegoo]

God I love this so much ! Thanks for having them they are truly something else

[@margaretrz7683]

So beautiful greetings from Ireland. ☘️👏👏👏

[@Phatxual]

Soooo powerful! Being around this my whole childhood, it makes me immensely happy to see Northern Cree get the international recognition them & their culture deserve!🧡 Beautiful performances, and muuuch love!

[@aleidasuarez]

powerful and moving. thrilling, indeed. thank you.

[@jugi6499]

Makes my heart feel like it's at pow wow. So good. Bless you

[@thatawesometrucker]

This is beautiful❤️❤️❤️

[@derekwashington1633]

Love this. As a dine i used to hearing this kinda music but in the mainstream omg

[@Lil-Britches]

I remember the first time hearing a tribe called red (now halluic nation) or dj shub using native chants. Its so beautiful and powerful!

[@noahmichael6996]

so cool :) this is near where i grew up and live and it's about time this awesome music is featured! the powerful drumming and expressive melodies are so beautiful!

[@plungerjim1576]

That was beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@workingtoseethelight8244]

God Bless You And The Tribe's Dances...

[@lyttlefyre]

So powerful and moving… big respect man ❤️

[@BelezaPuraDeDeus]

So beautiful❤️

[@daniel_amado]

I am loving these meets, so much passion on this artists.

[@gcamarena6609]

Much appreciated tiny desk for this thank u

[@parisjade1589]

This is amazing, I played some African tribal music at the same time- it's so in sync. We are all connected

[@kerijan2003]

Always have loved these guys!

[@Sunshine_Daydream222]

Thank you! 💕😍💕